Monthly archives: August 2008


Obama on energy policy 1

One of 14 questions about science issues answered by the presidential candidate.

3. Energy. Many policymakers and scientists say energy security and sustainability are major problems facing the United States this century. What policies would you support to meet demand for energy while ensuring an economically and environmentally sustainable future?

America’s challenges in providing secure, affordable energy while addressing climate change mean that we must make much more efficient use of energy and begin to rely on new energy sources that eliminate or greatly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. My programs focus both on a greatly expanded program of federally funded energy research and development and on policies designed to speed the adoption of innovative energy technologies and stimulate private innovation.

First, I have proposed programs that, taken together, will increase federal investment in the clean energy research, development, and deployment to $150 billion over ten years. This research will cover:

• Basic research to develop alternative fuels and chemicals;

• Equipment and designs that can greatly reduce energy use in residential and commercial buildings – both new and existing;

• New vehicle technologies capable of significantly reducing our oil consumption;

• Advanced energy storage and transmission that would greatly help the economics of new electric-generating technologies and plug-in hybrids;

• Technologies for capturing and sequestering greenhouse gases produced by coal plants; and

• A new generation of nuclear electric technologies that address cost, safety, waste disposal, and proliferation risks.

I will also work closely with utilities to introduce a digital smart grid that can optimize the overall efficiency of the nation’s electric utility system, by managing demand and making effective use of renewable energy and energy storage.

Second, it is essential that we create a strong, predictable market for energy innovations with concrete goals that speed introduction of innovative products and provide a strong incentive for private R&D investment in energy technologies. These concrete goals include:

• Increasing new building efficiency by 50 percent and existing building efficiency by 25 percent over the next decade, and taking other steps that will reduce the energy intensity of our economy 50 percent by 2030;

• Increasing fuel economy standards 4 percent per year and providing loan guarantees for domestic auto plants and parts manufacturers to build new fuel- efficient cars domestically;

• Extending the Production Tax Credit for five years and creating a federal Renewable Portfolio Standard that will require that 10 percent of American electricity be derived from renewable sources by 2012, and 25 percent by 2025; and

• Ensuring that regulations and incentives in all federal agencies support the national energy and environmental goals in ways that encourage innovation and ingenuity.

I will also encourage communities around the nation to design and build sustainable communities that cut energy use with walkable community designs and expanded investment in mass transit.

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Barack Obama answers 14 questions about science issues affecting the USA

A large collective of American scientists have got together and, through a process of arbitration and editing, generated 14 questions they want to as the two main candidates for President. So far Barack Obama has answered them, though John McCain says he will get around to it.

A sample answer-

2. Climate Change. The Earth’s climate is changing and there is concern about the potentially adverse effects of these changes on life on the planet. What is your position on the following measures that have been proposed to address global climate change—a cap-and-trade system, a carbon tax, increased fuel-economy standards, or research? Are there other policies you would support?

There can no longer be any doubt that human activities are influencing the global climate and we must react quickly and effectively. First, the U.S. must get off the sidelines and take long-overdue action here at home to reduce our own greenhouse gas emissions. We must also take a leadership role in designing technologies that allow us to enjoy a growing, prosperous economy while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050. With the right incentives, I’m convinced that American ingenuity can do this, and in the process make American businesses more productive, create jobs, and make America’s buildings and vehicles safer and more attractive. This is a global problem. U.S. leadership is essential but solutions will require contributions from all parts of the world—particularly the rest of the world’s major emitters: China, Europe, and India.

Specifically, I will implement a market-based cap-and-trade system to reduce carbon emissions by the amount scientists say is necessary: 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050. I will start reducing emissions immediately by establishing strong annual reduction targets with an intermediate goal of reducing emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. A cap- and-trade program draws on the power of the marketplace to reduce emissions in a cost- effective and flexible way. I will require all pollution credits to be auctioned.

I will restore U.S. leadership in strategies for combating climate change and work closely with the international community. We will re-engage with the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change, the main international forum dedicated to addressing the climate change problem. In addition I will create a Global Energy Forum—based on the G8+5, which includes all G-8 members plus Brazil, China, India, Mexico and South Africa—comprising the largest energy consuming nations from both the developed and developing world. This forum would focus exclusively on global energy and environmental issues. I will also create a Technology Transfer Program dedicated to exporting climate-friendly technologies, including green buildings, clean coal and advanced automobiles, to developing countries to help them combat climate change.

I’m not so sure about clean coal as a technology, but otherwise a positive and sensible answer. It’s particularly good that the economic benefits of creating a renewable energy industry are mentioned.

I look forward to reading McCain’s response. That is, if he thinks it’s important to reach out to sensible, intelligent people and can take a break from courting the fundamentalist vote.


Tweets today

22:24 Blog: Sam Smith’s organic cherry beer tinyurl.com/6b2ytd #

22:24 Blog: Tweets today tinyurl.com/6gc45j #

00:28 Moral compass slightly fucked up. Is it wrong to flirt with a friend’s 18 year old sister? #

01:27 I was called a geek for liveblogging my bottled beers. I guess it’s true. #

09:33 I have the house to myself for a week. What should I do? #

13:59 @Kalyr I was at The Deaf Institute in town for party. They have some very interesting beers and well made, if expensive, cocktails. #

15:30 I may not be able to get to the mac to finish editing episode 2. Oh dear. #

15:46 Perusing some of the zines I got yesterday. #

20:26 Blog: Katrina 2? tinyurl.com/667sjs #

20:26 Blog: Pandas! tinyurl.com/5zxjg4 #

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Tweets today

22:25 Blog: Tweets today tinyurl.com/5oy6dt #

00:25 Blog: Banksy in New Orleans tinyurl.com/5grozk #

13:26 Blog: BOT058 tinyurl.com/6ky8sf #

13:26 Blog: Manchester Zinefest tinyurl.com/565r7s #

20:25 Blog: Cave Creek Chilli Beer tinyurl.com/58uh9p #

21:26 Blog: Smoked beer. Sounds odd, tastes quite nice tinyurl.com/6bm9we #

21:38 Hang the dj! Hang the dj! Hang the dj! Hang the dj! Hang the dj! Hang the dj! Hang the dj! Hang the dj! #

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Smoked beer. Sounds odd, tastes quite nice

I’m falling in love with Trof’s eccentric beer collection.


Manchester Zinefest


Manchester Zinefest, originally uploaded by spinneyhead.

I’m feeling all enthused to produce something physical. Spinneyhead has enough of a history for me to mine.


Tweets today

22:26 Blog: Tweets today tinyurl.com/5lljue #

23:54 2 Wheels Good: Victoria Pendleton wants safer roads tinyurl.com/5hacu4 #

14:45 It’s warmer than it looks. I’m as sweaty as I appear. #

16:10 Boon Army! Boon Army! Boon Army! Boon Army! Boon Army! Boon Army! Boon Army! #

18:27 Blog: Critical Mass, August 2008 tinyurl.com/5t5usd #

19:19 I keep abandoning Critical Mass to meet people in the pub. Next time I’m riding it to the end. #

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Critical Mass, August 2008


Critical Mass, August 2008, originally uploaded by spinneyhead.

Quite a good turn out. I expect there’ll be even more before we set off.


Tweets today

22:26 Blog: Tweets today tinyurl.com/6jafdf #

00:03 Alyson Hannigan’s feet are back! Yay! Let’s hear it for Alyson Hannigan’s feet! (And Katie Holmes’ feet too!) #

00:04 But Gordon is a moron is the search that gets me the most visitors. That and chastity lifestyle, anyway. #

00:06 @Kalyr Naked superheroes! Actually, I think there have been some naked superhero comics. #

00:11 What other celebrity body parts can I mention to garner hits? Tom Cruise’s tiny penis. (Actually it’s just to scale.) #

00:29 Britney Spears’ big toe. Demi Moore’s derriere. The Fonz’s fetlocks #

09:25 Blog: Kryten says there will be more Red Dwarf tinyurl.com/5vffby #

10:25 Blog: A little list of Lilliputters tinyurl.com/5d8cua #

11:27 Blog: 100 things to do before you die number 1- don’t die tinyurl.com/6ax2za #

17:13 I’m fiddling with contrast and luminance more than hue. Apart from a blue cast in shots at the door I’m happy with the colour. #

18:27 Blog: Manchester is the second happiest place in Britain. Let’s have a party! tinyurl.com/5lmkax #

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A little list of Lilliputters

Lilliputters seems to be the name for all those little laptops spawned from the success of the Asus Eee. This list allows you to compare most of them. I’m still waiting for my Elonex Onet+ to arrive. If I’d known it would take this long I’d have just gone out and bought an Eee. When I finally do get it, I ‘ll try to do a comparison test with and Asus.


Tweets today 1

22:08 It’s filter time! Let’s mess with the look and feel of episode 2 of Venn. #

22:25 Blog: Tweets today tinyurl.com/5b6uce #

00:15 I think I’ve stumbled upon a way to get a particularly lush look. It’s a variation on a few "film effects" I’ve looked at. #

11:50 Save the World: Formula Zero- the hydrogen fuel cell racing series tinyurl.com/5lxtvo #

14:57 Save the World: Solar planes can stay in the air for days tinyurl.com/5auobu #

15:46 Robbie Williams on the Revolution??!! I’ve slipped into some evil bizarro universe. Help! #

16:41 And now Westlife!! That’s it. I’m listening to XFM until the kids go back to school. #

18:18 Scenes without sex take longer to draw. It’s the clothes, I struggle drawing them. Time for nudist toons. #

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