When I was growing up I poured over books discussing space travel and exploration, fiction and non-fiction alike, and I dreamed of being an astronaut. I wasn’t out playing cricket with other boys, I was playing rockets in my imagination.
It’s no wonder I find prospects such as space based solar power extremely attractive. At a visceral level they appeal to my space-based techno lust and at an intellectual level to my desire for a sliver bullet solution to fix the climate problem.
However its not worth betting on any single solution because the stakes are too high if we’re wrong. We need to pursue all real technology options (such as solar micro power generation) along with emission mitigation (for example, carbon geo-sequestation) and reduction strategies (such as energy efficiencies lighting).
This is urgent and complex and difficult. There’s no lone ranger coming to save us. We need to save ourselves and each other.
Nothing is more important.
30 October, 2007 at 4:02 pm
Andrew –
The site looks good – you’ve put in a lot of effort already.
I have been trying to find out how viable EnviroMission’s plans are. Doesn’t seem to be any strong independent information either way. Geothermal also sounds pretty effective. Info on my blog at: http://delarue.net/blog/2007/07/knowing-your-environment/.
– Keith
30 October, 2007 at 10:49 pm
Thanks Keith. (And congratulations for providing my very first comment!!)
So far this blog does not feel like work. I think this is a good sign as is the fact that there’s always more to say!!
I must say that I hadn’t recalled your environmental post until I re-read it just now. I vaguely recall that EnviroMission ran into engineering design problems but I loved the concept.
Thanks again.