I was somewhat surprised to hear of Senator Fielding's ideas regarding the solar flare theory of Global Warming. Sometime ago I came across a book with these ideas and bought it for my library. I also tried reading it!!
I find after reading a number of books, articles and websites on Global Warming that many of the ideas are supported or confounded by educated people with an understanding of the detail of the arguments. Listening to Professor David Karoly, University of Melbourne, with rebuttal on the Climate Change Skeptic TV program last year and also the Radio National Science Show yesterday showed how someone who knows his subject can easily rebut ideas which a more general reading and limited understanding of the popular media may seem reasonable. Having a scientist or 2 in the family has also generated much debate on the subject ( not always completely educated either).
So although we are not all scientists or blessed with an encyclopedic knowledge of the arguments, I think it behoves Senator Fielding to ask more questions, get more knowledge and generally think about the arguments before such comments as recently reported. I have known about the ideas and debates for years, and I'm just a "normal" person. It really just shows how he hasn't done his homework.
I was hoping to go to the University of Melbourne Ideas Festival later in June but alas all the sessions I could fit around my work schedule are booked out. As someone in the subutbs it is hard to get into central Melbourne to attend these events and I would love to hear Professor Garnaut, David Karoly and Peter Doherty in the flesh.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Solar Power Rebate ends before June 30
Whilst driving to work yesterday I heard that the $8000 solar power rebate from the Federal Government has closed 3 weeks early. I was somewhat alarmed as I have an application for pre-approval for the rebate in process. I am left wondering at what stage is my application ? Pre-approved, in the queue but still able to be pre-approved, or dead in the water. My provider will have to get back to me on this one.
I presume the ending has to do with moving from one rebate scheme to another (seemingly less generous) even though this new scheme is not yet passed through the parliament. My cynical side says the Government has decided enough money has been spent, as there has been a veritable rush of applications in the last few months.
As a mere suburban dweller I am amazed by the number of people I actually know who have applied for the rebate. So I expect to see solar panels on roofs all over Melbourne in the next 6-12 months. We currently try spotting the solar panels on new and existing homes when driving.
On reading the latest Habitat magazine (Australian Conservation Foundation) it is also interesting to hear that REC's (Renewable Energy Certificates) gained by having solar power is the subject of some debate in the process of Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme.
For myself I would hope most of the voluntary carbon reduction undertaken by concerned householders is not included with the big polluters but is "counted" separately. I would hate to see all my efforts and expenditure being claimed by someone who doesn't really give a damn,
I presume the ending has to do with moving from one rebate scheme to another (seemingly less generous) even though this new scheme is not yet passed through the parliament. My cynical side says the Government has decided enough money has been spent, as there has been a veritable rush of applications in the last few months.
As a mere suburban dweller I am amazed by the number of people I actually know who have applied for the rebate. So I expect to see solar panels on roofs all over Melbourne in the next 6-12 months. We currently try spotting the solar panels on new and existing homes when driving.
On reading the latest Habitat magazine (Australian Conservation Foundation) it is also interesting to hear that REC's (Renewable Energy Certificates) gained by having solar power is the subject of some debate in the process of Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme.
For myself I would hope most of the voluntary carbon reduction undertaken by concerned householders is not included with the big polluters but is "counted" separately. I would hate to see all my efforts and expenditure being claimed by someone who doesn't really give a damn,
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Aged Care & Robots
I watched the ABC's 4 Corners Program last night on the problems associated with the frail aged in nursing homes. It was extremely disturbing to say the least. My partner couldn't take the graphic scenes of bedsores and wounds so missed some of the report. As both of us have parents entering the frail-aged state the problems of how to care for them when they get so needy is worrying.
Mother-in-law already needs some care and has been uprooted from her home and country to reside, uneasily, in Australia. Her needs are simple but not easily met. Her physical health is slowly deteriorating so we all wonder what will happen when she needs full-time care. Her children work full-time and will probably find it very difficult to reduce their lives to the needs of a highly dependent frail woman.
Mother is hanging onto her home and doesn't want to downsize to an independent unit in an Aged Facility. She lives overseas and not easily reached by any of the family other than a nephew nearly her age. She is the main visitor to her older sister, currently going downhill in a nursing home.
So what does my family and system do when mum needs care? Do her 3 children who live in different countries need to develop a plan? And I wonder what she will say. She is fiercely independent and doesn't want to be a burden.
And I shudder to think how the system will cope when those in their 50's - 60's reach the need for aged care as the system will have surely failed under the pressure, unless more funding, carers and systems are in place. I'm sure these people will shout long and loud about their needs.
Ah, perhaps technology will provide the answer as the following article in the Australian Senior Newspaper discusses. Do Robots Care? "Designed especially to assist seniors, the robots will be able to track facial expressions and other cues to evaluate the emotional state of hospital patients or interact with older people living in their own homes."
Obviously they're not designed for appropriate physical care of the patients though. Perhaps emotionally intelligent robots haven't got that ability yet! The next page in the newspaper shows a cartoon with Dr Who's eternal nemesis, the Dalek. Of course the solution here is "Exterminate"
Mother-in-law already needs some care and has been uprooted from her home and country to reside, uneasily, in Australia. Her needs are simple but not easily met. Her physical health is slowly deteriorating so we all wonder what will happen when she needs full-time care. Her children work full-time and will probably find it very difficult to reduce their lives to the needs of a highly dependent frail woman.
Mother is hanging onto her home and doesn't want to downsize to an independent unit in an Aged Facility. She lives overseas and not easily reached by any of the family other than a nephew nearly her age. She is the main visitor to her older sister, currently going downhill in a nursing home.
So what does my family and system do when mum needs care? Do her 3 children who live in different countries need to develop a plan? And I wonder what she will say. She is fiercely independent and doesn't want to be a burden.
And I shudder to think how the system will cope when those in their 50's - 60's reach the need for aged care as the system will have surely failed under the pressure, unless more funding, carers and systems are in place. I'm sure these people will shout long and loud about their needs.
Ah, perhaps technology will provide the answer as the following article in the Australian Senior Newspaper discusses. Do Robots Care? "Designed especially to assist seniors, the robots will be able to track facial expressions and other cues to evaluate the emotional state of hospital patients or interact with older people living in their own homes."
Obviously they're not designed for appropriate physical care of the patients though. Perhaps emotionally intelligent robots haven't got that ability yet! The next page in the newspaper shows a cartoon with Dr Who's eternal nemesis, the Dalek. Of course the solution here is "Exterminate"
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