[1] Lockwood et al Nature, vol 399, p 437 (reported in New Scientist 5 June 1999, p 5)

[2] Until the last quarter of the last millennium most intelligent, informed people believed that the world was a few thousand years old. Many believed climate was part of God’s plan and would play a major part in an immanent apocalypse - when God would come to judge the wicked. As recently as a century ago some intelligent, informed people still believed lightening and tempest to be an expression of God’s power.  The study of astronomy followed by geology, palaeontology and biology created the dawning realisation that the Earth is at least three billion years old and is probably but one of countless trillions of planets. The weather is due to the interplay of complex natural forces.  But there is still a residual cultural proclivity to associate bad weather with ‘the sins of man’.  We now find scientific reasons for similar apocalyptic beliefs.  In the same way, some associate any active intervention in the balance of nature to be unequivocally negative in impact. 

 

[3] The subject of many national and international studies, global warming is defined as the predicted increase in atmospheric temperature caused by gases emitted to the atmosphere from human activities.  (IP CC 1990)

 

[4] Climate-model-based scenarios for New South Wales suggest that by 2030 temperatures in all seasons may increase on average by 0.5-1.7° C within 200km of the NSW coast, and by 0.5-2.1° C inland of the ranges (Spragg 1997).   According to the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), this may result in increased sea level (ie 5-35cm by 2030 and 10-80cm by 2070).  Other effects may include increased rainfall, increased fire danger, significant impacts on urban air pollution, forestry, agriculture, ecosystems, biodiversity and flooding.

 

[5] The binding agent for concrete, cement, is made by the operation of a high temperature kiln. Emissions of combustion gases from coal or gas fired kilns may include CO₂ and SO₂ as well as partially combusted organic materials. In the United States, 9.8 million metric tons of CO₂ were emitted in 1987, as a result of the operation of these kilns alone, to manufacture about 76 million metric tons of finished concrete.

 

[6] On a per capita basis, Australia is in the top five countries in the world in energy use, and the per capita emission of greenhouse gases contributing to global warming.  (Lumb et al 1994)

 

[7] Every litre of petrol burned produces about 2.5 kilograms of CO₂.  The average car pumps over its own weight in CO₂ into the atmosphere each year (~ 4 tonnes)  ["Transportation and Global Warming"]

 

[8] 69% of all Nitrogen Oxides and 30% of particulates emissions come from vehicles.  92% of all Carbon Monoxide is emitted from cars, trucks, buses and other vehicles.  Cars, trucks and buses account for 74% of all hydrocarbons [US Lung Association]

 

[9] It has been estimated that a 16- km trip taken in light traffic and requiring 11 minutes would produce 2g of oxides of carbon; the same trip in heavy traffic and requiring 30 minutes would generate 7g- a 250% increase [British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Highways 1990]

 

[10] For example, between 66 and 105 gigajoules of energy are needed to produce a motor vehicle, depending on the proportion of recycled materials used.  This is equivalent to the energy contained in between 2000 and 3000 litres of petrol, the amount of fuel consumed by 16000 to 26000 km of driving.

 

[11] In a class 7 wind resource (optimum position), the wind turbine described would take around 2 years to produce the energy consumed in its manufacture and installation, in some locations this could take up to 20 years.

 

[12] Typical details of a commercial 600 kW wind turbine are: 40 metre tower height; 3 blades of lightweight composite material; blade diameter of 44 metres; rotational speed of 28 rpm; automatic operation for start-up, yaw direction and shutdown.  Typical wind turbines begin to generate at a wind speed of about 4 m/s (15 km/h) and reach full output at 16 m/s (55 km/h).

[13]  New Scientist vol 179 issue 2413 - 20 September 2003, page 25

[14] New Scientist vol 179 issue 2412 - 13 September 2003, page 6