This is probably my most ambitious and idealistic blog post to date but it needs to be said:
Australia can do better with regards to its way forward
In moving this nation forward away from wasteful fossil fuel processes, we must first look at solving the problems which prevent us from considering a shift away from our fossil fuel addiction.
Australia can do better with regards to its way forward
In moving this nation forward away from wasteful fossil fuel processes, we must first look at solving the problems which prevent us from considering a shift away from our fossil fuel addiction.
Lets start with this biggie.
The burning of coal is one of the biggest problems when it comes to the climate debate. The burning of coal as a fuel source has existed for hundreds of [if not more] years with the main difference in recent times being the sheer volume of coal being mined and used. It is costly, dirty, hazardous to our health, and will eventually cease to exist once the resource has been depleted, assuming we haven't self-destructed long before then. It has already been predicted that, should the world use all of its coal, the end of our civilisation is all but guaranteed. In spite of this the industry continues. Why? Because of money and because of jobs.
So how can we stop our dependence on coal with the least detriment to the economy and jobs possible?
The answer doesn't lie in a single solution, but many, because the fossil fuels industry is a multi-faceted system in which, throughout all stages of the supply chain, people put their livelihoods on the line. Ending the coal supply chain without giving the people within it a new path to lead would be irresponsible. The answer also doesn't lie in stopping coal per se, but a redirection from the current final destination of simply burning it.
"Clean Coal" Technology: The Temporary Middle Ground
In order to wean ourselves off of our coal-burning dependence we must ALSO take steps to reduce the pollution of the existing technology. Clean coal and carbon capture devices are a start, which can be retrofitted to existing heavy pollution generators. The costs of such a retrofit should be, in part, subsidised but also be supported by compulsory carbon emission regulations.
This is not where it stops however. These actions only cover the existing and current projects in which carbon emission is a factor. Transitioning jobs in these sectors to renewable energy jobs is important in maintaining a low unemployment rate.
As more jobs are transitioned to renewable energy, and sectors which rely on renewables, these old coal-burning plants of the past can finaly be phased out.
In order to wean ourselves off of our coal-burning dependence we must ALSO take steps to reduce the pollution of the existing technology. Clean coal and carbon capture devices are a start, which can be retrofitted to existing heavy pollution generators. The costs of such a retrofit should be, in part, subsidised but also be supported by compulsory carbon emission regulations.
This is not where it stops however. These actions only cover the existing and current projects in which carbon emission is a factor. Transitioning jobs in these sectors to renewable energy jobs is important in maintaining a low unemployment rate.
As more jobs are transitioned to renewable energy, and sectors which rely on renewables, these old coal-burning plants of the past can finaly be phased out.
Updating Our Infrastrucutre: Planes, Trains, and Automobiles
Beyond the Burning: The Carbon Frontier
Coal, in essence, is mostly carbon. Lots and lots of carbon. There's nothing inherently wrong with that except when it's in the air contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.
Carbon exists in many different forms. In particular graphite and graphene. The uses of graphite is large and varied. Additionally, graphene's uses are also being noticed, especially on the technology front. Should graphene be shown to be the way forward for computing in the 21st century, high volume production of usable graphite and graphene will be required to meet up with demand.
Herein lies part of the solution: Mining companies could work to create an industry supporting the mass-production of high quality graphene and graphene-based technologies. Instead of simply mining the raw materials, mining companies invest into carbon processing technology.
Instead of 'coal' mines, we convert them to 'graphite' mines, such as the one in Adelaide.
With a steady stream of mass produced graphene, the cost of creating the next generation technology will fall considerably. Mines will no longer be considered as negatively since their resources are no longer going towards greenhouse gas emissions, but rather technologies which will aid in creating a more emission-free society.
Coal, in essence, is mostly carbon. Lots and lots of carbon. There's nothing inherently wrong with that except when it's in the air contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.
Carbon exists in many different forms. In particular graphite and graphene. The uses of graphite is large and varied. Additionally, graphene's uses are also being noticed, especially on the technology front. Should graphene be shown to be the way forward for computing in the 21st century, high volume production of usable graphite and graphene will be required to meet up with demand.
Herein lies part of the solution: Mining companies could work to create an industry supporting the mass-production of high quality graphene and graphene-based technologies. Instead of simply mining the raw materials, mining companies invest into carbon processing technology.
Instead of 'coal' mines, we convert them to 'graphite' mines, such as the one in Adelaide.
With a steady stream of mass produced graphene, the cost of creating the next generation technology will fall considerably. Mines will no longer be considered as negatively since their resources are no longer going towards greenhouse gas emissions, but rather technologies which will aid in creating a more emission-free society.
Moving Forward: Graphene Propulsion
If this discovery by Yongsheng Chen of Nankai University in Tianjin, China is anything to go by, Australia is sitting on one of the largest quantities of spaceship building and propulsion material.
If graphene sponge can be utilised to generate sufficient propulsion then its uses could go far beyond usage for space exploration.
Graphene assisted propulsion could help improve efficiency in existing systems:
If this discovery by Yongsheng Chen of Nankai University in Tianjin, China is anything to go by, Australia is sitting on one of the largest quantities of spaceship building and propulsion material.
If graphene sponge can be utilised to generate sufficient propulsion then its uses could go far beyond usage for space exploration.
Graphene assisted propulsion could help improve efficiency in existing systems:
- Maritime
- add graphene propulsion to all water craft so that no vessel is stranded so long as there is sufficient light to propel them
- graphene sails to capture wind and sunlight simultaneously? - Aeronautics
- fitting the plane body, or wings, with graphene sponge to provide additional thrust would reduce fuel costs
- blimp modification?
- drone/UAV propulsion to replace/assist existing rotors
- helicopter blade modification to have graphene propulsion assisted blades would reduce fuel consumption - Automobiles
- cars, trucks, etc made with graphene would be lighter and stronger than current production materials, improving handling and fuel economy
- graphene does not rust/oxidise so maintenance is also improved - Space Travel
- building space-faring vessels out of graphene improves strength, lightness, and overall efficiencies - Railways
- trains built using graphene technology will be lighter, stronger, faster, and safer than current standards
I suppose I could keep going on about graphene and the future it promises...but it seems I don't really need to.
More and more you will hear about scientists discovering uses for graphene, be it brand new uses or replacing existing functionality with a more efficient process. In any case, the future looks to be graphene-driven.
More and more you will hear about scientists discovering uses for graphene, be it brand new uses or replacing existing functionality with a more efficient process. In any case, the future looks to be graphene-driven.