Post by: Desertdog on July 03, 2007, 09:38:22 AM
Human greed takes lion's share of solar energy
http://www.smh.com.au/news/environment/human-greed-takes-lions-share-of-solar-energy/2007/07/02/1183351126304.html
HUMANS are just one of the millions of species on Earth, but we use up almost a quarter of the sun's energy captured by plants - the most of any species.
The human dominance of this natural resource is affecting other species, reducing the amount of energy available to them by almost 10 per cent, scientists report.
Researchers said the findings showed humans were using "a remarkable share" of the earth's plant productivity "to meet the needs and wants of one species".
They also warned that the increased use of biofuels - such as ethanol and canola - should be viewed cautiously, given the potential for further pressure on ecosystems.
The scientists, from Austria and Germany, who publish their results today in the journal of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, analysed data on land use, agriculture and forestry from 161 countries, representing 97 per cent of the world's land mass.
This showed humans used 24 per cent of the energy that was captured by plants. More than half of this was due to the harvesting of crops or other plants.
The human use of the natural resource varied across the globe, ranging from 11 per cent in Oceania and Australia, to 63 per cent in southern Asia.
An agriculture professor at the University of Melbourne, Snow Barlow, said the paper showed humans were taking up too much of an important natural resource.
"Here we are, just one species on the earth, and we're grabbing a quarter of the renewable resources & we're probably being a bit greedy."
Post by: Sindawe on July 03, 2007, 09:48:54 AM
Post by: Monkeyleg on July 03, 2007, 09:52:25 AM
They make the sun sound like a spigot that can be turned on and off.
Post by: The Rabbi on July 03, 2007, 10:02:53 AM
Its the same argument people make about the US using more energy than any other country. Yes, we are also the most productive with our use.
Post by: Fly320s on July 03, 2007, 10:14:04 AM
In the spirit of the Great World Leader and Environmentalist, Al Gore, I am starting a new business: Solar Energy Credits.
For those of you who like to stay outside and use more than your fair share of solar energy, you can now buy solar credits from me to ease your conscience while replenishing the solar power you use. For every $100 you send me I will chop down a solar energy absorbing tree.
Please sign up now, as my solar energy is limited.
Post by: JonnyB on July 03, 2007, 10:42:47 AM
I think the authors stayed in the hot sun too long.
Next, they'll be bitching that equatorial areas get more sun than the polar and sub-polar areas; something needs to be done!
jb
Post by: lee n. field on July 03, 2007, 11:44:18 AM
Post by: El Tejon on July 03, 2007, 11:52:36 AM
Send this year's rent, $120.00, to:
The Badger
P.O. Box 1132
Lafayette, Indiana 47902-1132
If you are a sandal-wearing, guilt-ridden Lefty, send $1,000.00 and I will absolve you of all White Guilt.
Post by: Tallpine on July 03, 2007, 11:54:30 AM
Are you sure this didn't come from The Onion 
It's clear to me that we need to ban sunbathing
Do people with darker skin absorb more solar energy...? Maybe they need to recompense us
Post by: El Tejon on July 03, 2007, 12:16:33 PM
Reparations Police=>
Post by: crt360 on July 03, 2007, 02:02:48 PM
The sun is all mine and the rest of you need to pay me to use it.
Send this year's rent, $120.00, to:
The Badger
P.O. Box 1132
Lafayette, Indiana 47902-1132
If you are a sandal-wearing, guilt-ridden Lefty, send $1,000.00 and I will absolve you of all White Guilt.
Send this year's rent, $120.00, to:
The Badger
P.O. Box 1132
Lafayette, Indiana 47902-1132
If you are a sandal-wearing, guilt-ridden Lefty, send $1,000.00 and I will absolve you of all White Guilt.
Dear Mr. Badger, I am writing to inform you that your sun caused physical burns to various locations on my body last Friday, June 29th, 2007, and has done so on numerous prior occasions. I estimate my damages to be approximately $250,000.00, based on the cost of long-term injury to the skin, localized itching, burning and peeling, mild disfigurement, emotional trauma, interference with business opportunity, alienation of affection, and so-on. I will kindly accept the sum of $250,000.00 as consideration for any and all damages caused by your sun, prior to this date, with the exception of any forms of cancer or other condition requiring treatment above and beyond that provided by a bottle of aloe vera gel or lotion which may or may not contain vitamin E. If payment is received within 10 days of today's date, I will also indemnify and hold harmless you and your sun for various damage to my property caused prior to this date including faded or peeling paint, dehydrated leather and upholstery, cracked vinyl, warped plastic and brown grass. Sincerely, Mel A. Noma
Post by: Sergeant Bob on July 03, 2007, 02:18:08 PM
I never thought idiocy could become an industry but, they are quickly proving me wrong.
Post by: crt360 on July 03, 2007, 02:26:00 PM
Yeah, if we switched to predominantly wind power, they'd be b!tching that we were using more than our fair share of that too!
Don't forget about killing all the migratory birds and slowing down Earth's rotation.
Post by: Strings on July 03, 2007, 03:23:04 PM
Post by: Moondoggie on July 03, 2007, 03:51:31 PM
I've always said "I'm not bald, that's a solar collector for a super computer!".
Post by: Vile Nylons on July 04, 2007, 02:55:23 AM
Post by: HankB on July 04, 2007, 01:00:15 PM
Post by: Antibubba on July 04, 2007, 03:43:12 PM
Quote
Yeah, if we switched to predominantly wind power, they'd be b!tching that we were using more than our fair share of that too!
Wind is just moving air currents which the Sun also causes.
Post by: Tallpine on July 05, 2007, 07:25:29 AM