Alternative energies like solar, wind, nuclear, geothermal and hydroelectric? Anything renewable. Yes—I am in Arizona, USA. I think I found an answer. As this is an election year, this is a good time to prod politicians into promising to do something about the environment. And with oil prices soaring—hitting Americans at the gas pump and grocery store– there is a lot of demand among voters to see action. Influence our future. .. Know the environmental issues in your area. Pick the one that is most vital to you and stick with it. Don’t dilute your message. 2. Join or attend local environmental groups. 3. Submit articles or editorials to your newspaper. Try to get local talk radio to discuss those issues. Organize others to do the same thing. 4. Join your candidate’s team. At every single organizational meeting you attend, ask specifically what your candidate’s stand is on the issue, when he intends to make a statement on it, and if he has a pamphlet that emphasizes that stand. Discover who your candidate’s advisor on environmental issues is. He doesn’t have one? Depending on your experience, volunteer or find him one with a good reputation from among local environmental groups. Politicians want to be elected. They are driven to position themselves as the “can-do” person who will push a specific issue or policy. Environmental issues are decided at federal, state and to a lesser extent local levels, so investing time on a city councilman’s campaign is less likely to achieve the results you desire. This country is in crisis. June 12, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported 1577 tornados so far this year. The annual average is 1260. The part that fossil fuels play in weather change is now accepted by mainstream scientists who influence policymakers. Oil prices are at historical highs. Airlines are being driven out of business or forced to cancel routes and jack up prices. You should have no problem influencing any politician running for office this year.

From Vision Media Productions. Andrew Goudie comments on the various alternative technologies; whether the technical effort is sufficient to solve our problems; whether our way of life is sustainable, and its impact on the environment. He also comments on the soundness of the climate change research; the vision of the Oxford University Centre for the Environment; and a look ahead to 2010. Vision Media Productions Producer: Duane Abler

Assuming we colonize, say, Mars. Would we need 1 energy alternative or several before colonization would be possible? Should we consider using fossil fuels? And test how different energy alternatives effect that atmosphere/ or have a "control" on a habitable moon. Do you know what I found? Re: fossil fuels – aside from their timeliness or not, they are named FOSSIL fuels because they are the product of once-living matter. Since we have no proof of anything living anywhere else (and especially not on other planets / moons that we may try to colonize), it is a safe bet that we won't find fossil fuels anywhere else in our solar system. So unless you are thinking of sending huge tankers of gas throughout the solar system (something that would take more fuel to transport than would actually be delivered), fossil fuels are out. Renewables, by their very nature (non-conumptive and constantly available) are more likely candidates. Solar is available everywhere the sun shines, though advances in efficiency will be required to make it practical (also necessary since Mars and many moons are further away from the sun and thus receive less sunlight). Wind is a good option for a windy place like Mars, though turbines (or whatever) would need to be protected from the talcum-fine dust. Nuclear is also an option, since the fuel consumed is relatively small. Still some hurdles about sizing it appropriately, but definitely feasible. Finally, in any kind of realistic timeframe for colonization, there is a pretty good chance of other viable energy sources becoming available. The elusive cold fusion is one that comes to mind. Cheers.

I understand the exhaust gas will be water. Surely this is good for pollution? We will not then have concerns over CO2 emmissions and thereby taxes can be reduced to benefit the working man. This would mean that fossil fuels can then be reserved for and better utilised by those industries that cannot do without them, in the medium to long term. This should ease demand and there the price should fall or stabilise. Am I being too logical. Well, I have your answer right here. Because the Oil companies have huge lobbying power and the Govt gets masses of taxes from oil companies. . Most of the share index is made up of oil companies, which is why the FT index is rising. . So there is little incentive. . Also the hydrogen itself has to be made, and there is cost and pollution in that. . But eventually it will have to come and indeed will, but we have not reached the critical tipping point yet.