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19 June 2004

People are going to go on allowing this atmospheric carbon dioxide to build up, with consequences that we really can't predict, but are probably not good

The words of Ron Oxburgh, Shell UK executive chairman.
"The other major consideration that we have to take into account is the greenhouse effect and global warming," he admits.

"No one can be comfortable at the prospect of continuing to pump out the amounts of carbon dioxide that we are at present," he says. "People are going to go on allowing this atmospheric carbon dioxide to build up, with consequences that we really can't predict, but are probably not good."

He believes the solution is something called sequestration, in which carbon dioxide from cars and power stations is captured and stored. "Sequestration is difficult," he says. "But if we don't have sequestration I see very little hope for the world."

14 June 2004

Estimate what's the value to society if you just leave the water in the river

University of Arizona researcher says diverting the Colorado River from flowing all the way to the Gulf of California costs $2.4 billion per year.
When Colorado River water is diverted for human uses such as agriculture or drinking water, there's a hidden cost to society, Flessa said.

Flessa's calculation reflects the loss of benefits the river originally provided, including natural flood control, natural wastewater treatment and providing nursery areas for fish and other marine organisms.