Cheap, clean burning fuel alternatives to oil and coal are considered by many to be one of today's most important pursuits. While wind, solar, geothermal, and hydroelectric options do exist, most energy providers believe them to be too expensive in their current state. The push towards natural gas become a popular option recently. Natural gas is a fossil fuel like oil or coal, but produces fewer hydrocarbons when burned. Hydrocarbons are the molecules that enter the atmosphere, trapping heat and raising average temperatures around the world. The fewer hydrocarbons, the better.
While natural gas is cleaner than coal, it may not be clean enough. A recent study found that if all coal burning plants were switched to natural gas, the reduction of the average temperature increase would be small, roughly 17 to 25 percent. Compare this to if those plants were switched to near-zero emission resources, the temperature increase would slow by a much larger amount, about 57 to 81 percent. Physicist Nathan Myhrvold states, "you must cut emissions by a dramatic factor" to avoid significant temperature increase.
Where is the harm in moving towards natural gas while searching for something better? Natural gas is better than coal, but are the benefits worth the time and money required. If more money is put towards fossil fuels, the industry will grow as will its political influence. Meanwhile, renewable resources remain slow to grow.
But whatever resource we use, as climate researcher Ken Caldeira states, "conservation and efficiency are essential. It's clear that the problem becomes much more difficult if you're using energy wastefully."
The Broadway musical Wicked has flown back into town, thrilling fans at the Overture Center now through June 9th.
I got a chance to see the production for the 2nd time last night, and once again was blown away. Even though I saw Wicked in 2010, I had...
Today we traveled back to 1975 for a Rendezvous with The Hudson Brothers. This song didn't make it to high on the charts, but Kitty enjoyed it. Her favorite brother was Brett. She also loved their television show. We've included a skit from...
I'm not sure why Pete Yorn decided to name his new music project after a European cave dwelling aquatic salamander, but if he stops by to play us some songs in Studio M, we'll have to ask him.
The Olms is a collaboration between Pete Yorn and...
Today's song was written by Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary. It was inspired by the 1957 novel Doctor Zhivago. No one was inspired by the song this morning. It was rejected by almost all the listeners.
Today is World Goth Day, a day to celebrate the post-punk, anti-establishment, dark clothes-wearing subculture.
I'm pretty sure I was a Goth for at least for little while, for two reasons.
1) I almost hardly ever wear pastels.
2) I used to...
Hello to all from Nfusion. Another round of challenges has moved beyond us all. Congrats to those of us lucky enough to have survived to this point. Sad to see the others eliminated as they were all very creative and talented. Good Bye to our new friends...
This morning it seemed like just about everyone was in the mood for some Funky Cold Medina...except Kitty. This ridiculous song made it all the way to number 3 in 1989. Jonathan says any song that references advertising dogs from the 80's has got...
Madison's summer music festival season kicks off this weekend with Brat Fest at Willow Island, where there are more bands than you can shake a bratwurst at! Check out the Brat Fest website to plan your itinerary.
Next up is the Marquette...
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Cheap, clean burning fuel alternatives to oil and coal are considered by many to be one of today's most important pursuits. While wind, solar, geothermal, and hydroelectric options do exist, most energy providers believe them to be too expensive in their current state. The push towards natural gas become a popular option recently. Natural gas is a fossil fuel like oil or coal, but produces fewer hydrocarbons when burned. Hydrocarbons are the molecules that enter the atmosphere, trapping heat and raising average temperatures around the world. The fewer hydrocarbons, the better.
