By Tony Innes
Introduction
It is now well documented that humans are causing climate change by adding huge amounts of carbon dioxide (C02) and other greenhouse polluting gases into the atmosphere. Despite its relatively low population total of approximately 22 million, Australia is not only a significant contributor to the current carbon problem it will suffer major impacts if the trend of increasing temperatures continues. The main reasons for this claim are as follows:
Australia is a major contributor to Climate Change
Australia is a major contributor to the current climate change situation for two main reasons. Firstly, Australia has large amounts of coal reserves and has been a leading exporter of coal to Japan and Europe for many years. The biggest source of greenhouse pollution is burning fossil fuels such as coal for energy. As a result, Australia has provided the resource for many countries to emit large quantities of carbon and as such has a moral obligation to tackle climate change.
However there are many factions within Australia who are opposed to fighting climate change. The Australian Coal Industry sees action against climate change as a direct threat to their livelihood and will threaten the job security of its employees. They fear that as the rest of the world moves to renewable energy sources in order to meet their carbon reduction commitments, the demand for Australian coal will reduce. Rather than allowing a drop in the demand for coal to impact their business, forward thinking Australian coal producers should be looking to develop alternative energy sources. There is a great opportunity for Australian energy producing organizations, located in the sun blessed country, to become world leaders in renewable energy such as solar power, creating thousands of jobs and providing new export opportunities.
Secondly, statistics show that per head of population, Australia is at the top of the rankings when it comes to carbon emissions. There are many theories on why this is the case, ranging from the large distance between major cities to the high availability of cheap coal fire energy. In any event it is a statistic that Australia cannot ignore and the countries politicians must show leadership to nearby developing nations by taking a stance on climate change.
Unfortunately some sections of Australian politics are taking the opposite approach by deliberately stalling any serious action on climate change for fear of the impact on the economy. These groups fail to see the reality that the impacts of climate change can also result in large scale economic losses. This was the case in 2006 when the combined impact of Cyclone Larry, severe drought and bushfires wiped billions off the Australian economy and impacted on the hip pockets of ordinary Australians through increased food prices and higher insurance premiums.
Australia is vulnerable to continued climate change
Australia is particularly vulnerable to climate change as it is one of the driest inhabited continents on the planet on par with Africa. Australia is currently enduring a record breaking drought and water rationing is now a standard practice in most capital cities during the summer months. The economic and psychological impacts on Australian farmers have been particularly devastating and a number of rural communities have been decimated by the ferocity of this unprecedented drought.
Continued climate change will only make Australia drier and drought conditions will become the norm in many areas. Water shortages in large cities will be commonplace, further forcing up the price of essential food produce. The likely alarming impacts on future generations should be sufficient incentive for any Australian to do everything they can to fight climate change and in fact any behaviour to the contrary could be deemed as criminally irresponsible.
The majority of renowned climate experts and scientists agree that large parts of the Arctic and Antarctica are melting at alarming rates as higher global average temperatures continue to rise. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to work out that as large areas of land base ice continue to melt, the inevitable result is an increase in overall sea levels. As an island continent with the majority of the population living in cities located in coastal areas, Australia is particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels. There have been a number of reports of luxury waterfront properties in some areas of New South Wales and Queensland coming under threat of rising tides, forcing home owners to flee their property. This trend has not escaped the notice of insurance Companies who are have sharply increased home insurance premiums in some coastal areas to match the higher risk.
Conclusion
As a major exporter of coal and leading the table on carbon emissions per head of population, Australia has an obligation to take a leadership role in the global fight against climate change. Furthermore, as one of the driest continents Australia will be particularly impacted by increasing temperatures and its coastal regions will be vulnerable to rising sea levels. As a result Australia has many reasons to play a leadership role in the global fight against climate change for the sake of current generations and future generations to come.
These articles are written by Tony Innes who has a unique blend of business experience and environmental knowledge. Tony has over 20 years experience in the finance sector, is a Certified Practicising Accountant and holds an Economics Degree from Adelaide University. Tony has a Post Graduate in Business Sustainability and is a member of the Al Gore Australian Climate Project team. Tony Innes is the Managing Director and co-founder of Sustainable Directions) in Adelaide, South Australia. (http://www.SustainableDirections.com.au ). He can be contacted on 0416 097 790 or at tony@sustainabledirections.com.au
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tony_Innes
http://EzineArticles.com/?Climate-Change-and-Australia&id=3391186
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
CASE STUDY: Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant Continues Rusting and Leaking
By Lowell Parker, Ph.D.
Just 24 miles north of New York City, Indian Point remains in operation as one of the oldest and most troublesome of the nation's 103 nuclear power plants. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) refers to Indian Point as the most problematic nuclear facility in the country. A few years ago, Patrick Milano, the NRC's project manager for its Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, gave Indian Point officials 30 days to prove that rusted areas in the steel lining of the containment shell did not pose health risks to local communities and the environment.
Entergy Nuclear, the owner of Indian Point, had stated that the rust is the result of leaks inside the building and that there were no integrity problems with the containment structure. The NRC was concerned that the rust may have created holes in the steel liner and concrete that could leak radiation in the event of an operational emergency.
Pressure tests of the containment shells are required to be performed every ten years at each of the nation's nuclear power plants. Loss of structural integrity of the containment shell would cause a pressure test failure. The fact that Entergy had asked the NRC for a five-year postponement of Indian Point's pressure tests has not inspired much confidence in the facility. The NRC considered granting the extension only if Entergy could convince inspectors that the rust did not pose a serious threat to safe operation of the plant.
The track record at Indian Point is something less than stellar. In fact, the corrosion problems are tied to a flood that occurred 23 years ago, when 200,000 gallons of water inundated the building before the leaking air conditioning pipes were found. During that flood, the water level rose nine feet around the reactor. Although the leak was repaired, problems stemming from water damage were ignored, giving rise to the corrosion that plagues the facility to this day.
On February 15th, 2000, a pipe burst on one of Indian Point's aging steam generators, sending radioactive fluids into the "clean water" system and releasing a small amount of radioactive steam into the air. Not long thereafter, Indian Point officials had to notify the NRC regarding a leak on one of their new steam generators. The exact source of the leak was not known at the time they made the report.
The persistent operational problems at Indian Point combined with obvious and longstanding terrorist threats have had the effect of increasing the pressure to permanently close the plant. Indian Point's survival will depend on whether the public outcry, which politicians have taken very seriously, is loud enough to compel a closure of the facility. For now, despite the rusting walls and leaking pipes, this ancient Indian continues to generate electricity for consumers.
Dr. Lowell Parker received his Ph.D. in chemical physics from Polytechnic University and is currently a faculty member of Empire State College. He has been teaching and tutoring for more than 25 years, and has published extensively. Dr. Parker is the creator and owner of a homework help and online tutoring services company where students can register for free at 24HourAnswers.com to get high-quality homework help, online tutoring, and free academic prep materials, including a complete math SAT prep course.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lowell_Parker,_Ph.D.
http://EzineArticles.com/?Indian-Point-Nuclear-Power-Plant-Continues-Rusting-and-Leaking&id=3395818
Just 24 miles north of New York City, Indian Point remains in operation as one of the oldest and most troublesome of the nation's 103 nuclear power plants. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) refers to Indian Point as the most problematic nuclear facility in the country. A few years ago, Patrick Milano, the NRC's project manager for its Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, gave Indian Point officials 30 days to prove that rusted areas in the steel lining of the containment shell did not pose health risks to local communities and the environment.
Entergy Nuclear, the owner of Indian Point, had stated that the rust is the result of leaks inside the building and that there were no integrity problems with the containment structure. The NRC was concerned that the rust may have created holes in the steel liner and concrete that could leak radiation in the event of an operational emergency.
Pressure tests of the containment shells are required to be performed every ten years at each of the nation's nuclear power plants. Loss of structural integrity of the containment shell would cause a pressure test failure. The fact that Entergy had asked the NRC for a five-year postponement of Indian Point's pressure tests has not inspired much confidence in the facility. The NRC considered granting the extension only if Entergy could convince inspectors that the rust did not pose a serious threat to safe operation of the plant.
The track record at Indian Point is something less than stellar. In fact, the corrosion problems are tied to a flood that occurred 23 years ago, when 200,000 gallons of water inundated the building before the leaking air conditioning pipes were found. During that flood, the water level rose nine feet around the reactor. Although the leak was repaired, problems stemming from water damage were ignored, giving rise to the corrosion that plagues the facility to this day.
On February 15th, 2000, a pipe burst on one of Indian Point's aging steam generators, sending radioactive fluids into the "clean water" system and releasing a small amount of radioactive steam into the air. Not long thereafter, Indian Point officials had to notify the NRC regarding a leak on one of their new steam generators. The exact source of the leak was not known at the time they made the report.
The persistent operational problems at Indian Point combined with obvious and longstanding terrorist threats have had the effect of increasing the pressure to permanently close the plant. Indian Point's survival will depend on whether the public outcry, which politicians have taken very seriously, is loud enough to compel a closure of the facility. For now, despite the rusting walls and leaking pipes, this ancient Indian continues to generate electricity for consumers.
Dr. Lowell Parker received his Ph.D. in chemical physics from Polytechnic University and is currently a faculty member of Empire State College. He has been teaching and tutoring for more than 25 years, and has published extensively. Dr. Parker is the creator and owner of a homework help and online tutoring services company where students can register for free at 24HourAnswers.com to get high-quality homework help, online tutoring, and free academic prep materials, including a complete math SAT prep course.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lowell_Parker,_Ph.D.
http://EzineArticles.com/?Indian-Point-Nuclear-Power-Plant-Continues-Rusting-and-Leaking&id=3395818
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