What the DR Can/Should Do Regarding Global Climate Change

[Chris]

Originally Posted by Chirimoya

I attended a seminar earlier this year with contributions from several US environmental scientists who made the point that the DR had the potential to release itself from its almost total dependence on fuel imports.

What did they suggest the mechanisms would be Chiri?

[Keith R]

Originally Posted by Chip

I'm more interested in discussing how things are relavent to cleaning up the DR. I also believe I have posted numerous times about topics that have to do with the environment, even if they weren't in that forum. I have come to the conclusion that trying to get the governemt to change is a fruitless endevour but that change will come through education of the youth. Also, like most entreprenuers with their own business, I bore easily discussing an idea without putting it into action and since it will be at least a handful of years until I can dedicate more time I have not continued to discuss this subject even though it is on my mind. It is hard to forget given the pollution problem in the DR and the field in which I work which has a lot to do with water quality of rivers and groundwater.

Well, let me repeat: you want to discuss general pollution issues in the DR (or even a specific one, such as certain water pollution or stormwater management, or...), start a thread and I am sure some will gladly join in a discussion.

But this thread is related to what the DR should do regarding to climate change. Period. If not on that topic, sorry, I will edit/delete or shift it to a new thread. I don't know how I can get any clearer than that.

[Chip]

Originally Posted by Keith R

But this thread is related to what the DR should do regarding to climate change.

Now that we are all on topic, I think it is self evident what the DR government will do with regard to global warming, absolutley nothing. Heck, they can't even invest enough money to educate people adequately about the dangers or littering and irresponsibly disposing of contaminants into the drainage systems.

I somehow think the OP was aware of this.

[Chris]

Understanding vs Acceptance
In my first post, I asked for people to understand the material. Not to accept it, but understand it as a basis for a discussion. "read, digest and understand this material".
I like Keith's 'hurricane theory'. If you know one is coming along, better make preparations.

Chip just said that he is not accepting man made (anthropogenic) global warming/climate change, because he is not happy with the peer review process. I have no problem with this. I think the peer review process was good, but surely it had flaws. We've never done this before people. Despite the difference in opinion, we still need to discuss the probabilities and possible effects.


On Economics
There was this economist that said quite recently that "Global warming is the economic opportunity of a lifetime". I forget who he was and I don't care much who figures out how to make money out of what. I care more about solid alternative energy generation, a healthy planet and food security.

[Chirimoya]

The government will "do something" in that they will dutifully invoke GW/CC when announcing lame measures, or initiatives where they or their cronies stand to make a buck, like ethanol production. But whether it will actually mean anything in real terms is dubious.

[Chip]

Chris

The real question is, what can/will the DR do about this or the affects it will have to the DR, right - or am I missing something?

[Keith R]

Just because they will not invest in anti-litter education does not mean that they will not do something in the name of addressing global climate change. My understanding is that some of the ethanol from sugarcane project is justified in part on the basis of reducing carbon emissions, as is the program to switch the country over to compact fluorescents, some wind energy projects, and the project to tap biogas (mostly methane, a GHG) from Duquesa. They also supposedly are preparing for certification "clean development mechanism" projects, although I have yet to see one achieve it besides a modest wind farm (the DR is really lagging on tapping that market).

[Chris]

Originally Posted by Chip

I somehow think the OP was aware of this.

Of course I am. It is just astounding that you did not get the many times that I said Governments are not the answer here.

Anyway, I'll re-post the original set of possibilities/probabilities for our area of the world. And those who want to comment, are free to do so. Mod, I accept your offer of another thread where the hard science can be discussed.

[Chip]

Originally Posted by Keith R

Just because they will not invest in anti-litter education does not mean that they will not do something in the name of addressing global climate change. My understanding is that some of the ethanol from sugarcane project is justified in part on the basis of reducing carbon emissions, as is the program to switch the country over to compact fluorescents, some wind energy projects, and the project to tap biogas (mostly methane, a GHG) from Duquesa. They also supposedly are preparing for certification "clean development mechanism" projects, although I have yet to see one achieve it besides a modest wind farm (the DR is really lagging on tapping that market).

As far as my understanding goes about greenhouse gases, the purported culprit of gw is carbon dioxide. Which is released during combustion of petroleum/alcohol fuesl. Therefore, using ethanol or natural gas will have no effect, as they release carbon dioxide. They are good substitutes, which is great for two main reasons - less dependence on the Middle East and their troubled politics and cleaner air - but they will not reduce greenhouse gases.

Greenhouse gas - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Natural gas - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ethanol - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Keith R]

There are several GHG, CO2 is just one and not the one with the greatest greenhouse potential. Methane (CH4) is another, as are CFCs, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and perfluorocarbons (PFCs).