From a reader: Look at the footprint of solar panels it takes to produce the same amount as a nuclear plant, then tell me what’s better for the Earth!
Needless to say, I’ve heard this a great many times over the years. The subject is a bit complex.
While it’s true that nuclear offers far better energy density that solar (and wind), this is one of many criteria we use to determine the best resource(s). We might rank our presidents on the basis of how few wars the Unites States was fighting during their tenure in office, yet there are dozens of other important criteria: economic strength, lessening the gaps between rich and poor, etc.
Another way to look at this subject is to look at competing resources in a certain region. The central part of the U.S. has incredible wind resources; a normal day in the Nebraska grid-mix offers 70% wind.
If human civilization is to avoid environmental collapse driven by climate change, nuclear is going to be absolutely necessary, but only partially due to energy density; nuclear boasts high reliability and capacity factor, as well as low operating expenses.
In all, the world needs to hope that nuclear advances quickly; we won’t do well without it.
Thanks for the comment.
I’m sure there are tens of millions of idiots who believe what U.S. House Speaker Mark Johnson said at left. Yet the majority of Americans understand that:
ICE is a lawless institution.
Trump consistently violates the Constitution by usurping the power that should reside in congress.
Our illegal war in Iran is endangering the entire planet, as is our war on clean energy.
Violent crime has been falling steadily since the early 1990s; Republicans taking credit for it is a lie.
Causing (some) voters to believe the lie that our elections are rigged endangers our democracy. So is voter suppression.
Committing war crimes like the bombing of small boats off the coast of Venezuela helps to create a lawless world.
At left is the type of logic that can appeal only to a MAGA Trump supporter.
Ukraine is fighting …. for its life after having been invaded by a powerful war criminal.
Trump is fighting …. to stay out of prison after having attempted to overthrow the U.S. federal government and raping children.
Consider the meme here, and then remember that the nine of the ten poorest states in the U.S. (Mississippi, Louisiana, West Virgina, Kentucky, Arkansas, Alabama, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and South Carolina) are all bright red.
How do they get away with stupidity like this?
Well, there’s the bottom of the state rankings for education:
- 46. Mississippi
- 47. Kentucky
- 48. Louisiana
- 49. Arkansas
- 50. West Virginia
Do you see any correlation?
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