tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6908362959739425575.post589778178141191994..comments2024-03-29T07:54:12.874+00:00Comments on MEI's Barry Wills: Is Zero Carbon by 2050 attainable?MEIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14834780351452765156noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6908362959739425575.post-909734067977709712019-11-11T23:07:27.462+00:002019-11-11T23:07:27.462+00:00Although provocative, I don't think Doug Yuill...Although provocative, I don't think Doug Yuille's analysis is sufficient. In causal thinking, a necessary cause is one without which a condition cannot occur, and "the energy humans produce" meets this criterion. However, sufficient cause (aka: a complete causal mechanism) is defined as a set of minimal conditions and events that inevitably produce an adverse outcome. If our main goal is to reduce ecosystem risks posed by excessive GHG production, then it is not the correlation with energy production per se that is the underlying issue: it is how we produce our energy that lies at its core. I fully agree with Doug that we need to define limits on the negative impacts on natural life support systems (all species included), and how we produce our energy is obviously critical to addressing this. In the meantime, when considering limits outside the sphere of the energy debate, we also need to address other measures such as the enormous methane output from our gross overproduction of ruminants for food, as well as fertilizer run-off and a host of other considerations. These are all urgent issues if we are to reduce and ultimately (where possible) to reverse the ecosystem destruction now taking place. Franklin Whitehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04375454929593667037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6908362959739425575.post-50037549474376999972019-10-30T15:33:48.157+00:002019-10-30T15:33:48.157+00:00All are excellent analyses and should be widely di...All are excellent analyses and should be widely discussed. However we should not overlook the fact that the destruction of Earth's life supporting ecosystem is roughly proportional to the energy humans produce, since ultimately, energy is the limiting factor. If you invent a limitless energy black box, as you seem to aspire to, you will just accelerate the current ecological annihilation.<br /><br />If all limits are self imposed, the first step to a safe, sane and sustainable world is to define and enforce limits on the negative impacts on our natural life support system, which is technically simpler than creating the fusion or other energy limitless black box.<br /><br />Doug Yuille, Australia<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6908362959739425575.post-3194470472218005942019-08-03T14:17:52.995+01:002019-08-03T14:17:52.995+01:00This highlights the absurdity of Extinction Rebell...This highlights the absurdity of Extinction Rebellion's demand for zero carbon by 2025<br />Stewart Mutter, Watford, UKAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6908362959739425575.post-90805452812891971972019-07-29T08:14:31.746+01:002019-07-29T08:14:31.746+01:00Exactly Tony! One of the main themes of Sustainabl...Exactly Tony! One of the main themes of Sustainable Minerals '20MEIhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14834780351452765156noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6908362959739425575.post-39741217229926918642019-07-29T08:13:37.426+01:002019-07-29T08:13:37.426+01:00Barry
The more I think about this subject, the mo...Barry <br />The more I think about this subject, the more I believe it isn't necessarily a simple zero carbon target that we should be looking to deliver. <br /><br />As experts in our industry we should have the ambition and curiosity to examine every process with a cradle to grave approach Our philosophy should be one, where we seek to minimise all environmental impacts from the outset. <br /><br />As professionals I believe we have always had a duty to meet this objective, but more than ever as minerals engineers with many transferable skills we should be taking the lead to deliver innovative technical solutions across the life cycle of all industrial processes particular when it comes to examining and potentially recycling waste streams. <br />Tony RhymerMEIhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14834780351452765156noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6908362959739425575.post-63520379593982141222019-07-27T22:32:57.214+01:002019-07-27T22:32:57.214+01:00Barry, this is a very thoughtful,apt and timely ar...Barry, this is a very thoughtful,apt and timely article. It deserves much wider circulation than as this blog, especially to the BBC and other media outlets as well as to various levels of government. <br />With my best wishes<br />John RalstonJohn Ralstonhttps://people.unisa.edu.au/john.ralstonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6908362959739425575.post-77177833094949825552019-07-26T14:18:26.251+01:002019-07-26T14:18:26.251+01:00Thanks Bill, and for the excellent link, which rei...Thanks Bill, and for the excellent link, which reinforces what I was sayingMEIhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14834780351452765156noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6908362959739425575.post-26288891920960762852019-07-26T02:49:47.465+01:002019-07-26T02:49:47.465+01:00Good stuff Barry! Even the World Bank realises tha...Good stuff Barry! Even the World Bank realises that "Climate Smart Mining" is the big challenge here. <br />httpss://www.worldbank.org/en/news/infographic/2019/02/26/climate-smart-mining. Renewables, batteries, comms (esp. mobile phones), hybrid and electric cars are the largest arguments for the support of mining, improvements in its practices and investment in the skills and R&D needed to meet the challenge of demand.Bill Skinnerhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-skinner-39198177/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6908362959739425575.post-89361144583885217442019-07-25T09:02:11.353+01:002019-07-25T09:02:11.353+01:00That question can't be answered based on today...That question can't be answered based on today's technologies. Battery materials are changing fast. Hydrogen technologies will come into play etc. The only clear statements today are <br />1. whatever technology (mix) will finally succeed - it will trigger an enormous demand for selected materials <br />2. recycling will cover a very small portion of that demand only<br />3. Save longterm access to a wide variety of raw materials will be vital to sustainability<br /><br />Holger Lieberwirth, Director of Institute of Mineral Processing Machines at Technical University Bergakademie Freiberg, GermanyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6908362959739425575.post-61637600318272194602019-07-23T09:18:30.390+01:002019-07-23T09:18:30.390+01:00Thanks Franklin. I totally agree with what you say...Thanks Franklin. I totally agree with what you say in your article. Risks are indeed associated with all energy sources, but on balance nuclear power is clearly one of the safest and more reliable options to help meet the energy demands of most developed and developing nations. As you say, fossil fuels are by far the most hazardous to human health, and endanger the planet through global warming.<br /><br />You conclude by saying that as technologies advance for renewable energy (e.g., solar and wind), no single source will be sufficient to meet society’s need for a balanced and reliable supply. I agree, but fusion could provide that source in the future, if the will is there and the capital is provided to develop it. A great deal of capital would be needed, but unfortunately priorities seem to be on other things, such a developing, at enormous cost, a high speed rail link between London and Birmingham which will shave 30 minutes off the journey.MEIhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14834780351452765156noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6908362959739425575.post-858419859422004332019-07-22T23:06:11.033+01:002019-07-22T23:06:11.033+01:00Yes, this is an excellent piece that deserves a mu...Yes, this is an excellent piece that deserves a much wider audience than the blog itself can reach. I would like to suggest that it be submitted to a leading newspaper with global reach e.g., The Guardian, or any other print/on-line media resource that has a wide social and environmental following. <br /><br />On a related issue, focused on "nuclear power as a rational energy choice", I recently wrote an op ed for our daily newspaper in Victoria BC, Canada. This juxtaposed nuclear with other options from a health and human impact perspective. For those interested, it may be accessed at: https://www.timescolonist.com/opinion/op-ed/island-voices-nuclear-power-is-a-rational-energy-choice-1.23782531?fbclid=IwAR00Ih--EQ9uussfnXLibJHedLutnj9ymKnzIxaawGIX7yn2C7mGnNo4ics<br /><br />For what my opinion may be worth as a public health scientist, I think Barry's piece would challenge and illuminate the mind-set of many in the general public (including policy makers) who are genuinely concerned about these issues, but don't know where to turn for objective and reliable information.Franklin Whitehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04375454929593667037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6908362959739425575.post-7699975639899783812019-07-22T10:44:13.951+01:002019-07-22T10:44:13.951+01:00I agree Tony. I don't think we have caught up ...I agree Tony. I don't think we have caught up since you graduated from CSM back in 1983. It would be good to see you in Falmouth next year for Sustainable Minerals '20- looks like you would have interesting ideas to contribute.MEIhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14834780351452765156noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6908362959739425575.post-65468880196171942052019-07-22T10:40:43.844+01:002019-07-22T10:40:43.844+01:00The MEI Blog is widely respected in the mining ind...The MEI Blog is widely respected in the mining industry but I feel that this excellent article should have wider exposure outside our industry. Apart from showing how zero carbon will stretch natural resources it also highlights the vital importance of the mining industry to society as a whole, something which is very rarely appreciated.<br />Paul Cheetham, Wrexham, UKAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6908362959739425575.post-53753059764192245442019-07-22T10:36:15.263+01:002019-07-22T10:36:15.263+01:00It's not only the zero carbon target that is a...It's not only the zero carbon target that is a challenge, it's the recovery of the waste residues that these new technologies produce, particularly from Lithium Nitride batteries.<br /><br />In promoting battery technology might we in the future be facing similar environmental issues that diesel has today?<br /><br />In my opinion there are both challenges and real opportunities for the minerals engineering community to not only lead the drive towards a carbon free environment but also develop sustainable waste free recycling solutions for the recovery of many of our raw materials.<br /><br />At ZincOx we developed processes to recover Zinc from Electric Arc Furnace Dust (EAFD) producing Zinc Oxide, Pig Iron and a small percentage of residual slag that went to road base, leaving no waste streams a real example of what we can all achieve.<br /><br />The project also taught me an important lesson, as minerals engineers we must think about every new process with the end in mind, wherever possible our technologies must be sustainable, & minimise environmental impact<br /><br />In my opinion there are real opportunities to recover future raw materials from the waste streams of today & our profession must be seen to be taking a lead in this vital work to improve our environment.<br /><br />Tony Rhymer, Birmingham, UKAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6908362959739425575.post-17527624347493413822019-07-22T01:44:01.418+01:002019-07-22T01:44:01.418+01:00Fantastic article, Barry.
Now let me look at the f...Fantastic article, Barry.<br />Now let me look at the future from my "prism" Minerals are finite(till we find new) and site specific. in view of this only some countries will have an edge.I see another cycle like nuclear club, petroleum cartel--some countries making many feel helpless and leading to---.<br />Why so called universities of global repute and research laboratories of international excellence and top management Institutes break the problem into small issues, give scientific and technological solutions and management issues at global level be defined before this issue becomes a disaster for some and leverage for dominance for others--may be all this is being done but I see more trade wars and conflicts if we do not have a globally acceptable solution.Rao,T.C.https://www.blogger.com/profile/11160713677908165404noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6908362959739425575.post-48364165384310979372019-07-21T18:53:24.497+01:002019-07-21T18:53:24.497+01:00Great article!Great article!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07918944173135418812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6908362959739425575.post-4816012852145334572019-07-21T18:36:34.607+01:002019-07-21T18:36:34.607+01:00Barry your blog posting is a very good summary of ...Barry your blog posting is a very good summary of some of the challenges involved to achieve this and how sensible or realistic a goal it really is<br />Steve Flatman, Maelgwyn Mineral Services, UKAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com