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| Can Nuclear Energy Save You From Global Warming? |
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Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Nuclear energy has no greenhouse gas emissions. The latest technology has made it safe and we can bury nuclear waste without worrying about radiation. Business as usual without doing any harm. Perfect! Well, is it? Nuclear energy is magical thing. It's hard to understand how it works and it's easy to get bamboozled by claims made by the nuclear magicians – scientists – as well as by opponents. Take veteran environmentalist Dr James Lovelock, of GAIA fame who says only nuclear energy can save us from global warming. Or Dr Helen Caldicott who says it's too dangerous and we do not need it. And governments ... Well, depends on who you talk to. Your life is full already without figuring out what is valid and what's not. Right? Easier to just leave it to "Them." But stop! Find out the facts on nuclear energy and nuclear radiation hazards. Then make up your mind – and next time there is an election you vote with some knowledge under your belt. There is plenty of information out there to help you make up your mind and I'll give you a leg-up. So, here is an easy framework. Imagine experiencing a certain "knowing" about this important issue on your way to the ballot box, or in talking with your friends. Given that global warming is a real threat, and global energy demand is ballooning, then the nuclear energy debate is essentially about four Big Issues. 1) Can nuclear energy deliver on a low-emission or even non-emission basis? 2) Is nuclear energy for electrical power purposes safe? 3) Can it be delivered at a reasonable cost? 4) How does it compare with other low-emission alternate energy sources? Here is an overview only of those issues. But don't just take my word for it. Find out more yourself! Emissions Yes, nuclear energy is emission-free if you just measure the exhausts from a reactor's chimney. In one study, nuclear energy came close to wind power in low emissions over its lifetime. There is no air pollution, with big nuclear energy user France having the cleanest air in Europe. No, it is not emission-free and is a greenhouse gas emitter, when measuring mining of uranium and transporting it, building and decommissioning nuclear power plants. Safe? Chernobyl still stands the only disastrous accident with a nuclear power plant, and the antiquated structure and action taken after the “melt-down” bears much blame. Any safeguards are only as good as the people that manage them, and any further accident will be one too many. Modern nuclear power plant structures are much safer. A terrorist attack, using radioactive material in a dirty bomb cannot be excluded. A terrorist attack using an airplane could be disastrous, even though deactivating a modern nuclear plant can be done in 5 seconds. A higher-than-normal incidence of childhood leukemia has been reported near powerplants in the UK, France and Germany. So-called Generation IV nuclear reactors, including “fast breeders” are said to be cleaner (low radiation level waste), cheaper and safer but the first will not be ready before 2010, some not until 2030. Cost Economics of nuclear energy is a wobbly concept, depending on the assumptions about other energy sources and their end costs. Nuclear reactors currently have very high start-up and close-down costs compared to other low-emission, and renewable energy sources. Costs are more than just counting money. Comparison to low-emission energy sources You'll find many studies with different results. One must take into account the urgent threat presented by global warming, that of radioactive energy, and appraise the benefits of energy-wise living and currently available renewable energy sources. The magical attraction of nuclear energy remains: throw enough money at it and all our problems will seem to go away. But the future is most likely one of a diversified use of renewable energy with some nuclear energy. It's a question of where to put the emphasis. Nuclear energy sources removes people even further from tangible "natural" processes. More of the same kind of thinking that caused our global warming problems in the first place. Why not emphasize responsible energy use, and the use of the Great Big Nuclear Reactor In The Sky to drive wind, tidal and solar energy. And to try and live in harmonious relationship with each other and our environments. But you just have to make up your own mind. My children's future and yours depend on you. Only your personal attitude – the greatest energy source we know – can help you live with global warming. And we are going to have to live with it for a long, long time. -------------------------------------------------- Dr Leipoldt has long been concerned about global warming and writes about the alternate energy sources that play a role in mitigating climate change. See more here Qui Gon Jinn Lightsaber Limited Edition Qui Gon Jinn Lightsaber Limited Edition http://www.find-me-a-gift.co.uk/unusual-birthday-presents/mens-birthday-gifts/qui-gon-jinn-lightsaber-limited-edition.html Maverick Jedi Knight Qui-Gon Jinn, while on assignment to protect Queen Amidala of the Naboo, engaged the dark warrior, Darth Maul, in an epic duel only to fall in battle. Heartbroken, his padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi, took up the weapon of his master and used it to defeat the evil Sith Lord. Now Master Replicas brings you the definitive version of the venerable Qui-Gon Jinn's elegant Jedi weapon. Exactingly copied from surviving filming props in the Lucasfilm archive, this awesome replica reveals never before seen details. Qui Gon Jinn Lightsaber Features: · Machined aluminum and brass parts · Anodized black details · Anodized red female knurled button · Intricate pommel detailing · Museum quality display case with mirrored base and acrylic cover · Numbered plaque and certificate of authenticity Buy Qui Gon Jinn's infamous lightsaber today! "Obi-Wan, promise... promise me you will train the boy. He is the Chosen One. He will bring balance. Train him..." Qui-Gon Jinn Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace Defiant to the end, with his last breath the venerable Qui-Gon Jinn exacts a fateful promise from his Padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi, to train a young slave boy named Anakin Skywalker to become a Jedi Knight. During a mission to settle a simple trade dispute between the greedy Trade Federation and the peaceful world of Naboo, Qui-Gon and his apprentice became embroiled in a sinister plot, engineered by the mysterious Darth Sidious, Dark Lord of the Sith. Escaping an ambush, the Jedi landed on the Outer Rim world of Tatooine, where Qui-Gon met a young slave boy, Anakin Skywalker. A practitioner of the Living Force, Qui-Gon sensed the boy to be the "Chosen One," a Jedi who would bring unity and balance to the Force, and requested permission of the Jedi Council to train the boy. Fearing Anakin's future to be clouded and uncertain, the Council refused. As the nefarious scheme of the evil Darth Sidious reached its climax, Qui-Gon was killed in battle by the vile Sith Lord's apprentice, Darth Maul. Mindful of his beliefs Qui-Gon swore Obi-Wan to carry out his last wish, setting in motion a chain of events that would bring chaos, but ultimately peace, to the galaxy. In Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace, Qui-Gon's lightsaber was machined by the prop department from aluminum. Resin parts were cast and a rare, red aircraft button was added as decoration. Working directly from surviving props in the Lucasfilm archives, Master Replicas' engineers have crafted a copy of the hero version of the hilt from machined aluminum, featuring rich black anodized parts, never before seen details, and a red anodized button complete with the rare knurl of the original. What's in the box? Qui Gon Jinn Replica Lightsaber handle, museum quality display case with mirrored base and acrylic cover, numbered plaque and certificate of authenticity. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS: Q: Is the Force FX lightsaber a licensed collectible? A: Absolutely. The Force FX lightsaber is indeed a licensed collectible approved and endorsed by Lucasfilm Ltd. As a collectible, the Force FX lightsaber is not a toy and it is not suitable for children under 12 years of age. Adult supervision is recommended. Q: Is the Force FX lightsaber a limited edition prop replica? A: No. Although the design of the Force FX lightsaber is faithful to the look of the movie prop, it is not an exact replica. The hilt of the lightsaber was made slightly larger than the actual movie prop in order to accommodate the electronics that control the light and sound effects. The Force FX lightsaber collectibles are not limited to a pre-determined edition size. Therefore, they are not classified as limited edition replicas. Q: What is the blade on the Force FX lightsaber made of? A: The Force FX lightsaber features a permanently attached polycarbonate blade. Once activated, the blade glows brightly, and the replica plays back digitally recorded sound effects taken directly from the film. Q: Is the blade on the Force FX lightsaber removable? A: No, the blade is not removable or retractable. There are a number of wires and electronics systems in the blade that would not be as durable or reliable if we made the blade removable. Q: How do the light and sound effects work in the Force FX lightsaber? A: The Force FX lightsaber incorporates three motion sensors which sense both the motion of the blade as well as when it comes in contact with something. An on-board, multi-channel chip is programmed with digital sound-effects originally created for the movie by Skywalker Sound. The Force FX lightsaber replicates the following sound effects: Power-up Idle hum Swing (with pitch change) Clash Power-down Q: How long will the light in the Force FX lightsaber last? A: It should run for several hours on a fresh set of batteries. The electronics, if cared for properly, should last for several thousand hours of use. Replace the batteries whenever the performance begins to change, such as reduced brightness or volume. Q: Can I use my Force FX lightsaber for dueling? A: This product should not be used to strike others. Although the blade is very durable, it should never be used for fighting or dueling. The Force FX lightsaber was produced by Master Replicas as a collectible. http://www.find-me-a-gift.co.uk/unusual-birthday-presents/mens-birthday-gifts/qui-gon-jinn-lightsaber-limited-edition.html *** Digital Reprint Rights *** * You are not allowed to change anything in Article Content and Author Biography except the format for displaying the article properly. * You are allowed to use this article for free as long as it will not violate any laws. * I will appreciate it if you can notify me the publication of this article. I can be reached at %%AUTHOR_EMAIL%%. *Please see website http://www.find-me-a-gift.co.uk/ Role of Information Technology in Growth of Business Information technology (IT) refers to the management and use of information using computer-based tools. It includes acquiring, processing, storing, and distributing information. Most commonly it is a term used to refer to business applications of computer technology, rather than scientific applications. The term is used broadly in business to refer to anything that ties into the use of computers. Mostly businesses today create data that can be stored and processed on computers. In some cases the data must be input to computers using devices such as keyboards and scanners. In other cases the data might be created electronically and automatically stored in computers. Small businesses generally need to purchase software packages, and may need to contract with IT businesses that provide services such as hosting, marketing web sites and maintaining networks. However, larger companies can consider having their own IT staffs to develop software, and otherwise handle IT needs in-house. For instance, businesses working with the federal government are likely to need to comply with requirements relating to making information accessible. The constant upgrade in information technology, along with increasing global competition, is adding difficulty and hesitation of several orders of scale to the business and trade. One of the most widely discussed areas in recent business literature is that of new organizational network structures that hold survival and growth in an environment of growing complexity. Effective implementation of information technology would decrease liability by reducing the cost of expected failures and increase flexibility by reducing the cost of adjustment. The businesses reaction to the environment remains to be the vital determinant for its effectiveness. The capabilities and flexibilities of computer-communication systems make them gradually more appropriate to businesses by being able to respond to any specific information or communication requirement. Information Technology is having impact on all trade industries and businesses, in service as well as in manufacturing. It is affecting workers at all levels of organizations, from the executives to middle management and clerks. Information technology is increasingly becoming a basic factor of all types of technologies such as craft, engineering, routine, and non-routine. The advances in Information Technology would result in remarkable decline in the costs of synchronization that would lead to new, concentrated business structures. It enables the business to respond to the new and urgent competitive forces by providing effective management of interdependence. In the near future businesses would be facing a lack and a redundancy of information called information glut. To solve the information-glut companies will need to introduce methods for selective thinning out of information. Improvements in telecommunications will make it easier to control business units dispersed over different parts of the world. Advances in telecommunications, would result in increased distance-communication. Indirect communication would be preferred for well-structured information for routine, preprogrammed and decision processes. William King is the director of UK Wholesale Suppliers, Wholesale Suppliers , Dropshipping Directory, and Pakistan Property Portal . He has 18 years of experience in the marketing and trading industries and has been helping retailers and startups with their product sourcing, promotion, marketing and supply chain requirements. |
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