Monday, September 23, 2024

Environmental Problems 9-23-24

Global Warming was theorized first with the thought that CO2 released into the atmosphere could cause global warming. Global warming and cooling had been identified as having occurred. The Ice Age was believed to be caused by global cooling.   Periods of Warming were also identified. The earth is a work in progress. It changes its tilt. It has tectonic plates moving and volcanic activity. Warm Ocean currents move up to become colder and return to become warmer again. Nature follows cycles.  

In 1896, a seminal paper by Swedish scientist Svante Arrhenius first predicted that changes in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels could substantially alter the surface temperature through the greenhouse effect. In 1938, Guy Callendar connected carbon dioxide increases in Earth's atmosphere to global warming. 

Europe was the first to succumb to the “Global Warming Scam”. The UN used this Scam to launch Carbon Credits and implement UN Agenda 21. Europe spent a fortune on Wind and Solar. They realized that these sources were not economically feasible and lately declared that Natural Gas was a better was to produce electricity.

The Environmental Movement began in the 1970s with complaints about “smog”.

The 1970s produced overcrowded large cities with millions of cars and trucks. The exhaust of these vehicles was carbon monoxide and produced “smog”. The cure was the catalytic converter invented in 1950 and deployed in the 1970s.  The deployment time-line is as follows:

1971: Corning Incorporated in upstate New York invented the ceramic honeycomb structure that is at the core of the catalytic converter. 

1973: Engelhard Corporation created the first production catalytic converter. 

1975: The US made catalytic converters mandatory on all new cars. The introduction of unleaded gasoline in 1975 coincided with the start of widespread use of catalytic converters. 

1990s: Amendments to the Clean Air Act banned the sale of leaded gasoline by 1995, which increased the need for catalytic converters. 

1993: The EU was created.

2000: The UK phased out leaded petrol. 

2023, Germany announced that they will try to move from natural gas to hydrogen.

Although France's first commercial nuclear reactor came online in the 1960s, the country began the large-scale plan to build its nuclear power fleet in the mid-1970s, following the 1973 oil crisis. At the time of the oil crisis, oil-burning power plants generated a significant share of France's electricity.

2021: France generated 68% of its needs with nuclear plants.

France's 56 nuclear reactors were shut down due to maintenance or technical problems. To meet demand, EDF had to buy electricity on the European market at high prices, costing an estimated €29 billion by June 2023. As of early September 2022, 32 of

However, France’s nuclear power plants are aging. A record 26 of the country’s 56 nuclear reactors were offline heading into this winter, some for routine maintenance and others for inspection and repairs after corrosion issues were discovered in reactor pipes. Widespread reactor outages in 2022 resulted in a 24% decline in annual nuclear output—its smallest output in 30 years. EDF, which operates nuclear reactors in France, expects more nuclear generation in 2023 than in 2022, but less than in 2021. However, France’s nuclear power plants are aging. A record 26 of the country’s 56 nuclear reactors were offline heading into this winter, some for routine maintenance and others for inspection and repairs after corrosion issues were discovered in reactor pipes. Widespread reactor outages in 2022 resulted in a 24% decline in annual nuclear output—its smallest output in 30 years. EDF, which operates nuclear reactors in France, expects more nuclear generation in 2023 than in 2022, but less than in 2021.

 In February 2022, President Emmanuel Macron announced a plan to build six new reactors and to possibly build another eight by 2050. In addition, a next-generation European Pressurized Reactor, Flamanville Unit 3, has been under construction since 2007, and EDF expects it to start operations in 2024.

The planned expansion of nuclear power in France is in sharp contrast to four of its neighbors—Belgium, Germany, Spain, and Switzerland—which plan to close all of their reactors by 2030 or sooner.

https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=55259#:~:text=Although%20France's%20first%20commercial%20nuclear,significant%20share%20of%20France's%20electricity.

In 2022,7.2 billion people worldwide were connected to the electricity network, while 0.7 had no access to electricity. The global share of people with access to electricity increased from 71 percent in 1990 to over 90 percent in 2022.

74% of the world's population has access to safely managed drinking water. 

Comments

Europe is divided over plans to address their energy needs. It appears that nuclear power plants require monitoring and replacement of parts as they age. Scientists who are experts in nuclear power plant maintenance requirements will need publish and consult. On the CO2 question, I am still convinced that Climate Chage is a Hoax.

Norb Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader

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