Scientist Tim Flannery has proposed a radical solution to climate change which may change the colour of the sky.
But he says it may be necessary, as the "last barrier to climate collapse."
Professor Flannery says climate change is happening so quickly that mankind may need to pump sulphur into the atmosphere to survive.
Australia's best-known expert on global warming has updated his climate forecast for the world - and it's much worse than he thought just three years ago.
He has called for a radical suite of emergency measures to be put in place.
The gas sulphur could be inserted into the earth's stratosphere to keep out the sun's rays and slow global warming, a process called global dimming.
"It would change the colour of the sky," Prof Flannery told AAP.
"It's the last resort that we have, it's the last barrier to a climate collapse."
"We need to be ready to start doing it in perhaps five years time if we fail to achieve what we're trying to achieve."
Prof Flannery, the 2007 Australian of the Year, said the sulphur could be dispersed above the earth's surface by adding it to jet fuel.
He conceded there were risks to global dimming via sulphur.
"The consequences of doing that are unknown."
Professor Flannery, who spoke at a business and sustainability conference in Parliament House on Monday, said new science showed the world was much more susceptible to greenhouse gas emissions that had been thought eight years ago.
Regardless of what happened to emissions in the future, there was already far too much greenhouse gas in the atmosphere, he said.
Cutting emissions was not enough. Mankind now had to take greenhouse gases out of the air.
"The current burden of greenhouse gas in the atmosphere is in fact more than sufficient to cause catastrophic climate change," Prof Flannery said.
"Everything's going in the wrong direction at the moment, timelines are getting shorter, the amount of pollution in the atmosphere is growing."
"It's extremely urgent."
As well as the global dimming plan, Prof Flannery said carbon should be taken out of the air and converted into charcoal, then ploughed into farmers' fields.
Wealthy people should pay poor farmers in tropical zones to plant forests - possibly through a direct purchase scheme like the eBay website.
And all conventional coal-fired power stations - which did not have "clean coal" technology - should be closed by 2030.
Capturing carbon emissions from coal-fired power stations and storing it underground - called carbon capture and storage (CCS) - was a good idea, Professor Flannery said.
He urged Australia to dramatically fast-track CCS research and give the technology to the Chinese, who are building the equivalent of one new coal-fired power station a week.
Prof Flannery said while the Rudd government was doing more to tackle climate change than its predecessor, it was still "nowhere near enough."
He called on the government to remove the means test on the $8,000 rebate for domestic solar panels introduced in last week's budget.
"It's probably the bureaucrats getting in the way, we all know that sort of policy is not going to work," he said.
*note: I think this is where Flannery has jumped the shark, I just can't take him seriously now.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Monday, May 19, 2008
My (belated) Mother's Day
Beary made me eggs n fish fingers in bed *note the smiley face Dieter, and I spent most of the day in bed, as sick as. Soma strikes his usual cute-as pose, flat on his back, lol.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Abbott and Costello
If Bud Abbott and Lou Costello were alive today, their infamous sketch, 'Who's on First?' might have turned out something like this:
COSTELLO CALLS TO BUY A COMPUTER FROM ABBOTT.
ABBOTT:Super Duper computer store. Can I help you?
COSTELLO: Thanks I'm setting up an office in my den and I'm thinking about buying a computer.
ABBOTT: Mac?
COSTELLO: No, the name's Lou.
ABBOTT: Your computer?
COSTELLO:I don't own a computer. I want to buy one.
ABBOTT: Mac?
COSTELLO: I told you, my name's Lou.
ABBOTT: What about Windows?
COSTELLO: Why? Will it get stuffy in here?
ABBOTT: Do you want a computer with Windows?
COSTELLO: I don't know. What will I see when I look at the windows?
ABBOTT: Wallpaper.
COSTELLO: Never mind the windows. I need a computer and software.
ABBOTT: Software for Windows?
COSTELLO: No. On the computer! I need something I can use to write proposals, track expenses and run my business. What do you have?
ABBOTT: Office.
COSTELLO: Yeah, for my office. Can you recommend anything?
ABBOTT: I just did.
COSTELLO: You just did what?
ABBOTT: Recommend something.
COSTELLO : You recommended something?
ABBOTT: Yes.
COSTELLO: For my office?
ABBOTT: Yes.
COSTELLO: OK, what did you recommend for my office?
ABBOTT: Office.
COSTELLO: Yes, for my office!
ABBOTT: I recommend Office with Windows.
COSTELLO: I already have an office with windows! OK, let's just say I'm sitting at my computer and I want to type a proposal.? What do I need?
ABBOTT: Word.
COSTELLO: What word?
ABBOTT: Word in Office.
COSTELLO: The only word in office is office.
ABBOTT: The Word in Office for Windows.
COSTELLO:Which word in office for windows?
ABBOTT: The Word you get when you click the blue 'W'.
COSTELLO: I'm going to click your blue 'w' if you don't start with some straight answers. What about financial bookkeeping? You have anything I can track my money with?
ABBOTT: Money.
COSTELLO: That's right. What do you have?
ABBOTT: Money.
COSTELLO: I need money to track my money?
ABBOTT: It comes bundled with your computer.
COSTELLO: What's bundled with my computer?
ABBOTT: Money.
COSTELLO: Money comes with my computer?
ABBOTT: Yes No extra charge.
COSTELLO: I get a bundle of money with my computer? How much?
ABBOTT:One copy.
COSTELLO: Isn't it illegal to copy money?
ABBOTT: Microsoft gave us a license to copy Money.
COSTELLO: They can give you a license to copy money?
ABBOTT: Why not? THEY OWN IT!
A few days later.
ABBOTT:Super Duper computer store. Can I help you?
COSTELLO: How do I turn my computer off?
ABBOTT: Click on 'START'.............
COSTELLO CALLS TO BUY A COMPUTER FROM ABBOTT.
ABBOTT:Super Duper computer store. Can I help you?
COSTELLO: Thanks I'm setting up an office in my den and I'm thinking about buying a computer.
ABBOTT: Mac?
COSTELLO: No, the name's Lou.
ABBOTT: Your computer?
COSTELLO:I don't own a computer. I want to buy one.
ABBOTT: Mac?
COSTELLO: I told you, my name's Lou.
ABBOTT: What about Windows?
COSTELLO: Why? Will it get stuffy in here?
ABBOTT: Do you want a computer with Windows?
COSTELLO: I don't know. What will I see when I look at the windows?
ABBOTT: Wallpaper.
COSTELLO: Never mind the windows. I need a computer and software.
ABBOTT: Software for Windows?
COSTELLO: No. On the computer! I need something I can use to write proposals, track expenses and run my business. What do you have?
ABBOTT: Office.
COSTELLO: Yeah, for my office. Can you recommend anything?
ABBOTT: I just did.
COSTELLO: You just did what?
ABBOTT: Recommend something.
COSTELLO : You recommended something?
ABBOTT: Yes.
COSTELLO: For my office?
ABBOTT: Yes.
COSTELLO: OK, what did you recommend for my office?
ABBOTT: Office.
COSTELLO: Yes, for my office!
ABBOTT: I recommend Office with Windows.
COSTELLO: I already have an office with windows! OK, let's just say I'm sitting at my computer and I want to type a proposal.? What do I need?
ABBOTT: Word.
COSTELLO: What word?
ABBOTT: Word in Office.
COSTELLO: The only word in office is office.
ABBOTT: The Word in Office for Windows.
COSTELLO:Which word in office for windows?
ABBOTT: The Word you get when you click the blue 'W'.
COSTELLO: I'm going to click your blue 'w' if you don't start with some straight answers. What about financial bookkeeping? You have anything I can track my money with?
ABBOTT: Money.
COSTELLO: That's right. What do you have?
ABBOTT: Money.
COSTELLO: I need money to track my money?
ABBOTT: It comes bundled with your computer.
COSTELLO: What's bundled with my computer?
ABBOTT: Money.
COSTELLO: Money comes with my computer?
ABBOTT: Yes No extra charge.
COSTELLO: I get a bundle of money with my computer? How much?
ABBOTT:One copy.
COSTELLO: Isn't it illegal to copy money?
ABBOTT: Microsoft gave us a license to copy Money.
COSTELLO: They can give you a license to copy money?
ABBOTT: Why not? THEY OWN IT!
A few days later.
ABBOTT:Super Duper computer store. Can I help you?
COSTELLO: How do I turn my computer off?
ABBOTT: Click on 'START'.............
Monday, May 12, 2008
Medecins Sans Frontieres response to cyclone in Myanmar
Events are moving quickly in Myanmar, and although it is only a few days since my last update I hope this further information will be of interest.
The 43 expatriate staff and over 1,200 national staff that were working in Myanmar when the cyclone hit are starting to reach the most devastated areas to assess the situation, and provide much needed supplies and medical assistance. There are now just over 100 Médecins Sans Frontières staff in the delta region, and between 10 and 20 new staff arriving in this area each day.
The teams in the area have now received 150 metric tonnes of rice, 100,000 cans of fish, 250,000 oral rehydration sachets, 20,000 sachets of therapeutic food, and 17,000 plastic sheets, much of which has already been distributed. Médecins Sans Frontières medical staff have so far conducted over 1,700 medical consultations, around half of which have been for people wounded as a result of the cyclone; the rest for diarrhoea, fever and respiratory tract infections.
In Haigyi, in the south western corner of the delta, teams estimate they have distributed supplies to more than 50,000 people and addressed some of the water and sanitation issues in this area.
As you may have heard, gaining entry to Myanmar can be difficult and we are still in the process of arranging visas for additional staff to assist in the disaster affected areas. I would like to assure you however, that even without these extra resources, the team we already have in Myanmar has been responding with around-the-clock activity since the cyclone struck just over a week ago, and will continue to do so.
Over the weekend, Médecins Sans Frontières sent three cargo planes from Europe with a total of 110 metric tonnes of supplies including tents, medical material and drugs, pumps and generators for water and sanitation activities, and ready-to-use therapeutic food. The first plane received clearance to land Monday morning, and the Médecins Sans Frontières team will be on site to ensure delivery.
Since my update last week, many generous Field Partners have offered an additional gift towards our work and we are extremely grateful for this. Although much of the world’s attention is on Myanmar at the moment, all of our other work continues on our 400 programs in 60 countries around the world.
If you are able to make a gift in addition to your regular Field Partner contributions, it will be received warmly by everyone who works with Médecins Sans Frontières and the people whom our work assists.
To make a donation please visit: https://www.msf.org.au/support/donate_appeal.cfm?apc=MISC or call 1300 136 061 today.
Thank you again.
Yours sincerely,
Philippe Couturier
Executive Director
Médecins Sans Frontières Australia
PS. To give you some idea of the impact gifts from our supporters can have: $75 can provide clean drinking water to more than 1000 people for one week; $200 can supply medicine for basic medical treatment for more than 100 people; and $500 can provide a medical kit containing basic drugs, supplies, equipment and dressings.
The 43 expatriate staff and over 1,200 national staff that were working in Myanmar when the cyclone hit are starting to reach the most devastated areas to assess the situation, and provide much needed supplies and medical assistance. There are now just over 100 Médecins Sans Frontières staff in the delta region, and between 10 and 20 new staff arriving in this area each day.
The teams in the area have now received 150 metric tonnes of rice, 100,000 cans of fish, 250,000 oral rehydration sachets, 20,000 sachets of therapeutic food, and 17,000 plastic sheets, much of which has already been distributed. Médecins Sans Frontières medical staff have so far conducted over 1,700 medical consultations, around half of which have been for people wounded as a result of the cyclone; the rest for diarrhoea, fever and respiratory tract infections.
In Haigyi, in the south western corner of the delta, teams estimate they have distributed supplies to more than 50,000 people and addressed some of the water and sanitation issues in this area.
As you may have heard, gaining entry to Myanmar can be difficult and we are still in the process of arranging visas for additional staff to assist in the disaster affected areas. I would like to assure you however, that even without these extra resources, the team we already have in Myanmar has been responding with around-the-clock activity since the cyclone struck just over a week ago, and will continue to do so.
Over the weekend, Médecins Sans Frontières sent three cargo planes from Europe with a total of 110 metric tonnes of supplies including tents, medical material and drugs, pumps and generators for water and sanitation activities, and ready-to-use therapeutic food. The first plane received clearance to land Monday morning, and the Médecins Sans Frontières team will be on site to ensure delivery.
Since my update last week, many generous Field Partners have offered an additional gift towards our work and we are extremely grateful for this. Although much of the world’s attention is on Myanmar at the moment, all of our other work continues on our 400 programs in 60 countries around the world.
If you are able to make a gift in addition to your regular Field Partner contributions, it will be received warmly by everyone who works with Médecins Sans Frontières and the people whom our work assists.
To make a donation please visit: https://www.msf.org.au/support/donate_appeal.cfm?apc=MISC or call 1300 136 061 today.
Thank you again.
Yours sincerely,
Philippe Couturier
Executive Director
Médecins Sans Frontières Australia
PS. To give you some idea of the impact gifts from our supporters can have: $75 can provide clean drinking water to more than 1000 people for one week; $200 can supply medicine for basic medical treatment for more than 100 people; and $500 can provide a medical kit containing basic drugs, supplies, equipment and dressings.
Winter in Idaho
Our winter has ended I hope. A few pictures of what our friends, family and us went through in our first winter in Idaho
Sunday, May 11, 2008
A round of applause for mums.
This is for every mum who worried because she didn’t eat all the right things during her pregnancy.
For every mum who was told she should breastfeed when she couldn’t.
For every mum who had moments during the first year when she sobbed uncontrollably after five hours sleep in as many days.
For every mum who has rushed a child to hospital to be told her child has a cold. And for every mum who thought the rash would go away by itself.
For every mum who went back to work and sat hunched and desolate, in the toilet as her breasts leaked with milk and her eyes poured with tears.
For every mum who stayed at home and fretted over whether her child noticed that she sometimes wanted to crumble under the stress of providing 24/7 care.
For every mum who has smiled weakly while a stranger informs her that her baby is hungry, tired, cold, hot, sick or in need of a good smack.
For every mum whose partner knows how to do everything better than she does, and to those whose partners are just another child to look after.
For every mum who doesn’t see her partner enough, and for the ones who wish their partners would get out from under their feet, and the ones who don’t have partners. And the ones who don’t have anyone at all.
For every mum who planned to stop at three kids until the next one appeared, and for those who wish they could have one more.
For every mum who lies awake at night worrying about the dangers of the world and wraps her children in cotton wool. And for every mum who wishes she’d done more to prevent her children’s mistakes.
For every mum who wonders if her teenage son will do anything except grunt in front of a computer game.And for every mum who feels her heart disintegrate as she farewells her son to war.
For every mum whose teenage daughter goes out of the house wearing something terrifying. And for every mum whose daughter is bullied because she’s not wearing the right thing.
For every mum whose kids won’t leave home before the age of 30. And for the mums whose kids never call.
For every mum who gives it her all and has lost herself in the process. And for every mum who worries that she doesn’t give enough.
Written by Alexandra Carlton - Body & Soul, Sunday Mail
For every mum who was told she should breastfeed when she couldn’t.
For every mum who had moments during the first year when she sobbed uncontrollably after five hours sleep in as many days.
For every mum who has rushed a child to hospital to be told her child has a cold. And for every mum who thought the rash would go away by itself.
For every mum who went back to work and sat hunched and desolate, in the toilet as her breasts leaked with milk and her eyes poured with tears.
For every mum who stayed at home and fretted over whether her child noticed that she sometimes wanted to crumble under the stress of providing 24/7 care.
For every mum who has smiled weakly while a stranger informs her that her baby is hungry, tired, cold, hot, sick or in need of a good smack.
For every mum whose partner knows how to do everything better than she does, and to those whose partners are just another child to look after.
For every mum who doesn’t see her partner enough, and for the ones who wish their partners would get out from under their feet, and the ones who don’t have partners. And the ones who don’t have anyone at all.
For every mum who planned to stop at three kids until the next one appeared, and for those who wish they could have one more.
For every mum who lies awake at night worrying about the dangers of the world and wraps her children in cotton wool. And for every mum who wishes she’d done more to prevent her children’s mistakes.
For every mum who wonders if her teenage son will do anything except grunt in front of a computer game.And for every mum who feels her heart disintegrate as she farewells her son to war.
For every mum whose teenage daughter goes out of the house wearing something terrifying. And for every mum whose daughter is bullied because she’s not wearing the right thing.
For every mum whose kids won’t leave home before the age of 30. And for the mums whose kids never call.
For every mum who gives it her all and has lost herself in the process. And for every mum who worries that she doesn’t give enough.
Written by Alexandra Carlton - Body & Soul, Sunday Mail
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Friday, May 09, 2008
Thursday, May 08, 2008
What did you do yesterday?
6am: Got out of bed
6.30am: Shower shave brushed teeth
7am: Breakfast Coffee and spicy fruit bread toast
8am: Drove into Brisbane ( bumper to bumper traffic)
9am: See Specialist
11am: Went to medicare and medibank private for refund
12pm: Weekly food shopping ( have you seen the cost of meat these days? )
2pm: Home
2.30pm Lunch Lamb Kebab
3pm: On the Net for a bit
4pm: phoned Dad to remind him about today
4.30pm: Mowed the lawn front and back
6pm: Time for the news ( I do and also prefer to watch ABC 7pm news as well )
7pm: Dinner Homemade Spag Bolognaise
7.30pm: Television
8.30pm: Switch on the computer
10.30pm: Bed time an early night
6.30am: Shower shave brushed teeth
7am: Breakfast Coffee and spicy fruit bread toast
8am: Drove into Brisbane ( bumper to bumper traffic)
9am: See Specialist
11am: Went to medicare and medibank private for refund
12pm: Weekly food shopping ( have you seen the cost of meat these days? )
2pm: Home
2.30pm Lunch Lamb Kebab
3pm: On the Net for a bit
4pm: phoned Dad to remind him about today
4.30pm: Mowed the lawn front and back
6pm: Time for the news ( I do and also prefer to watch ABC 7pm news as well )
7pm: Dinner Homemade Spag Bolognaise
7.30pm: Television
8.30pm: Switch on the computer
10.30pm: Bed time an early night
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Sunday, May 04, 2008
Friday, May 02, 2008
Hair cut
Just called into hairdresser for my fringe cut, woot. (and if anyone cares, I hate the new letters Blogger make you put in now, I can't read them)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
