Don't get me wrong by reading this, I truly think that we are doing something great by reducing our impact on the planet. This idea also makes me feel giddy with relief that there is an alternative to oil within our grasp. However, I do feel that there are questions that need to be asked. So it seems that some company called Genepax has developed a new car that runs solely on water. In theory, the system runs in the same way as a standard fuel cell except that it contains some mineral that breaks water down into hydrogen and oxygen.
It sounds kinda nifty. In fact, they used their flash new invention to power the lights and tv used during their media release. The on site fuel cell system pumped out 300kW/s, charging a lead-acid battery. They then chucked this monster into the back of an electric car, which was driven during the demonstration.
Apparently, they plan to produce a 1kW system to power the car in the future. They reckon they can get production costs for each car down to US$5000.
Sounds lovely. Really lovely. Except I cant help but wonder how fast this car can actually go, and how much water it chews through. Unfortunately, none of these details were released.
I guess they would have to be better off than those old chip-fat converted engines that stunk and were pushing themselves at 20km an hour.
Simon and I were also discussing the pitfalls of the all-amazing bio-fuels that encouraged poorer countries who were producing the sugarcane and whatnot to sell it to the western world instead of keeping the stuff as food for the hungry.
Better. But maybe not perfect? If everyone was feeding their cars 10 liters of water a day, themselves a liter a day and their gardens and bathtubs even more, what happens to poor old Australia? New Zealand in a hot summer? Black outs and vehicle free days. That might work in London, but in Auckland you can't even find a bus without driving half an hour to the nearest park and ride, even then you would be lucky to be able to get on! In our traffic-jams, the sheer amount of water vapor produced by a water-fed battery would contribute to global warming just as much as petrol. Imagine the humidity.
Given the lack of details re: the eco-car, my extrapolations might be totally offbeat. But fark. I still think you might be digging a deeper hole if you went on to protect the planet from global warming (of which I am still skeptical (please read: Global Warming and Global Cooling: Evolution of Climate on Earth*))and the exhaustion of the global oil stocks (of which there is still no evidence, gosh, I wonder who buried the truth?) by forcing the poor to sell their only food stock for a pittance and forcing dry countries to feed very thirsty cars.
Prey tell, who exactly is benefiting from this disaster?
* Global Warming and Global Cooling: Evolution of Climate on Earth by O.G. Sorokhtin (Author), Leonid F. Khilyuk Ph.D. (Author), G.V. Chilingarian (Author).
(Recommended to me by the Environmental Engineering professor at University College Cork)
Editorial Reviews
"A fascinating tour-de-force of earth history . . . the main strength of the book is that it provides a comprehensive integrated model of the Earth and its climate. Individuals may question different aspects of the model. That is a positive aspect, however, as it will promote discussion and further research, resulting in a better understanding of the Earth and its climate." -- Alfred H. Pekarek, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, St. Cloud University
The theory of the Earth's climate evolution based on universal chemical-physical laws of matter-energy transformation is presented in the book. It shows how the process of Earth's core separation has led to formation and evolution of the hydrosphere and atmosphere. Having analyzed the processes of heat transfer in the atmosphere, the writers developed the adiabatic theory of the greenhouse effect, which was applied for analysis of climatic changes on the Earth. The influence of changes in climate on formation of mineral deposits and development of life on Earth was considered and presented based on modeling of typical climatic regimes. It shows that the anthropogenic effect on the Earth's global temperature is negligible in comparison with the effect of global forces of nature.
* Presents the theory of Earth's evolution based on the laws of chemical-density differentiation of the origin of the Earth
* Discusses the adiabatic theory of the greenhouse effect with quantitative estimates of the natural and anthropogenic influences on Earth's climates
* Describes the quantitative description of the evolution of the Earth's climate throughout geologic history and prediction of the future of the Earth's climate
* Investigates the global forces of nature driving the Earth's climate
For more info see:
June 16, 2008 09:59 AM - www.fuelcelltoday.com
Reusable fabric shopping bags that reduce plastic waste in landfills and reduce jelly-fish impersonating baggies in the sea, which might I add, cause an estimated 100,000 sea-thing deaths. Naughty bags are also made of ethylene – which is a by-product of fossil fuel production. According to Mark Watson, “bags are a menace even in the manufacture, before they start getting out and murdering turtles”. But I digress. Fabric bags are often made in China. Which means they’ve been shipped just about everywhere in the world before they get wherever they are going. Not only that, but they are made by under paid workers, who are the prime culprits for CO2 pollution. Research shows that China is one of the greatest producers of CO2 which is partly due to a large population of people living under the poverty line, lacking the financial ability to use low emission vehicles and often use DIY diesel converted engines which emit far more than a standard (but far more expensive) engine.
People are encouraged to seek out products that are sourced closest to home as possible. Here in Ireland you can negate your carbon badness when buying flowers by buying those grown in Holland, instead Kenya. Unfortunately, flowers from Holland have a greater carbon footprint than those from Kenya because of all the heating and lighting involved in their cultivation. Retailers still get away with marketing the Dutch roses as ‘guilt-free’. Contradiction? Ik denk het wel.
The Independant is the leading newspaper on climate change, although it regularly advertises for RyanAir and EasyJet. These are two airlines that make up a bulk of short-haul flights that are easily taken overland. Flights in general emit approximately 130gm CO2 per passenger, per kilometer versus approximately 60gm pp/ppkm on rail based travel. Cheap fares and regular routes are a huge contributer to CO2 emissions in Europe and the leading newspaper on climate change endourses them. Ill show you oxymoron. 
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