Climate Change: Beliefs & Reality

Climate change is an issue which has pushed the barriers of science to new levels & Scientists have almost irreputable evidence that climate change is happening now. That we, as a planet are in one of the most delicate era's that our planet has ever faced. Climate change is one of those topics which wins elections, or could disrupt industry, so its pretty important in the scale of things.

Everyone has different views on the issue, and before sitting through a presentation at the AusIMM New Leaders Conference, I had solid views that climate change was real (I'm still not sure what to believe). The ideas that were put forward during the seminar showed somewhat convincing evidence that it wasnt. He showed information through ice cores about fluctuating temperatures & carbon dioxide levels as shown through ice cores from very on in the earths history. However the thing which grabbed my attention was, 'Global temperatures in the 18th century were actually higher then they are now.' On the other hand, we have current evidence using modern measuring devices showing this increase in carbon dioxide & increase in temperature. It is clear by mediums such as the media & the government that this side is pushed more, and most people don't even know the other side.

By no means am I saying that climate change does not exist, I'm just saying that we are venturing into unknown territory, and the next 100 years are going to be crucial to industry. As much as I may seem to take an agnostic approach to the issue, I believe that things such as clean coal technology & sustainable development should be fully integrated into industry to avoid the risk that it could happen. I'd rather see an enviromentally sustained planet then one that has been ruined because industry took a chance.

QCAT Excellence Day '07

On Friday, Luke & I attended the CSIRO Queensland Centre for Advanced Technologies (QCAT) Innovation & Excellence day for 2007. The conference was attended by industry representatives from the resources sector because a large amount of the conference was revolved around mining & minerals. One of key issues of the day was clean coal technology, and what can be done to minimise atmospheric damage due to specifically the coal industry. The techniques of underground gasification (burning coal underground) & carbon sequestration (putting emissions back into the ground) were some of these. What followed this interesting session was more about minerals processing and new technologies & innovations available in that field. Also, the afternoon included an advanced technology sessions which included such aspects as hypersonics. The day was interesting, and the first sessions especially was interesting as it deals directly with a major assignment at uni.

Bloc Party- Hunting For Witches

Amazing.simply.