B.S. 7671 Compliant Installation but

Legh, it's actually Plate Tectonics that drives geological processes including vulcanism. You'll be reassured that in 100 million years (just a short interval in geological timescales) when humans are long extinct the insects and newly evolved lifeforms will be enjoying planet earth without our toxins and pollution to contend with. Subduction zones and erosion will reform and obliterate evidence of our short existence (2-3million years for various human species). Civilisation itself will be such a minute part of the geological sequence it may be quite difficult to detect any evidence we are supposed to be intelligent. 

Of interest to those who would like to see renewable energy storage very interesting research was highlighted in the Royal Institution Christmas Lectures. Researchers at Imperial College have developed a metal powder storage matrix that can store massive quantities of gaseous hydrogen at relatively low pressure and room temperature. This was used in a fuel cell to power lightning and screens in the lecture hall. OK it's early days but this is the technology that we need to embrace and lead on. Most people find change difficult but if we let other countries lead the way we'll be importing the technology just like we have for wind turbines from Denmark. The IET has covered the renewable energy and climate change debate quite extensively in the E&T magazine and obviously there has been some debate on feasibility of going carbon neutral in the timescales envisaged by the government. I suspect the reality is that an extra 20 years will be needed, especially with the practical challenges facing DNO's in sizing the network for the demand. I do agree that our ability to influence earth systems by reducing CO₂ emissions and other greenhouse gases may be way off. The earth has the ability to survive major life changing events as witnessed by mass extinction events in the geological past. Whether we survive to find out only time will tell but even without climate change we're doing major harm to the environment in many ways that are not sustainable long term. I guess the ultimate feedback will be a massive reduction in the human population which ultimately is the root of the problem. This may be due to climate but could equally come from asteroid impact or global pandemic!

Legh, it's actually Plate Tectonics that drives geological processes including vulcanism. You'll be reassured that in 100 million years (just a short interval in geological timescales) when humans are long extinct the insects and newly evolved lifeforms will be enjoying planet earth without our toxins and pollution to contend with. Subduction zones and erosion will reform and obliterate evidence of our short existence (2-3million years for various human species). Civilisation itself will be such a minute part of the geological sequence it may be quite difficult to detect any evidence we are supposed to be intelligent. 

Of interest to those who would like to see renewable energy storage very interesting research was highlighted in the Royal Institution Christmas Lectures. Researchers at Imperial College have developed a metal powder storage matrix that can store massive quantities of gaseous hydrogen at relatively low pressure and room temperature. This was used in a fuel cell to power lightning and screens in the lecture hall. OK it's early days but this is the technology that we need to embrace and lead on. Most people find change difficult but if we let other countries lead the way we'll be importing the technology just like we have for wind turbines from Denmark. The IET has covered the renewable energy and climate change debate quite extensively in the E&T magazine and obviously there has been some debate on feasibility of going carbon neutral in the timescales envisaged by the government. I suspect the reality is that an extra 20 years will be needed, especially with the practical challenges facing DNO's in sizing the network for the demand. I do agree that our ability to influence earth systems by reducing CO₂ emissions and other greenhouse gases may be way off. The earth has the ability to survive major life changing events as witnessed by mass extinction events in the geological past. Whether we survive to find out only time will tell but even without climate change we're doing major harm to the environment in many ways that are not sustainable long term. I guess the ultimate feedback will be a massive reduction in the human population which ultimately is the root of the problem. This may be due to climate but could equally come from asteroid impact or global pandemic!