links for 2009-01-16

• Paint cities white to tackle global warming, scientist says
  White buildings and surfaces reflect far more sunlight than dark ones. Reflected sunlight does not contribute to the greenhouse effect, unlike the heat energy emitted by dark surfaces heated by the sun.

  COMMENT: What a simple solution. Now, what is the carbon footprint of everyone wearing sunglasses to protect their eyes against the glare?

• Nuclear the clean way to go – engineers | National News
  
  AUSTRALIA will probably have to go nuclear to tackle climate change, engineers and scientists say. They say nuclear power is the only reliable, proven source of electricity with a minimal carbon footprint. They’re tipping 15 per cent of the country’s electricity will come from nuclear reactors by 2050.

  COMMENT: Nuclear energy is the only proven alternative to fossil fueled electricity whilst none of the other renewable sources are proven or big enough to do the job. It is time to put the political arguments aside and get on with it. Let’s go nuclear!

• Fruit fly outbreak in Yarrawonga
  A FRUIT fly outbreak has been detected at Yarrawonga, Victoria. The outbreak follows a horror 2008 for fruit fly control, with more than 30 outbreaks across the state.

  COMMENT: It seems we have had fruit fly outbreaks through the North East of Victoria for about five years now and what do they do about it? Nothing more than tell us about it!
• Potato disease discovered again
  Potato cyst nematode, a worm-like parasite which sucks the roots of potato plants but does not affect the potato, was discovered on a property in the Thorpdale region in October.

  COMMENT: Whilst this parasite is around, do not plant any spuds in the cupboard that have stared to shoot or you might infect your own property … and the wjole district!

• Boy George silent to spare dying mother
  The former Culture Club singer – who was found guilty of holding male escort Audun Carlsen in his London apartment in 2007 after handcuffing him to a radiator – faces a maximum sentence of life in prison when his punishment is handed down today (16.01.09).

  COMMENT: Who gives a damn! Why do we have to know about the rich and famous?stuffing up their lives

• Japanese cities raiding remains of the dead for precious metals
  The city of Nagoya alone has reportedly collected 12 kg of gold, silver, platinum and palladium in 2007 from teeth and bones, worth more than £77,000.

  COMMENT: You don’t think about the ‘fringe benefits’ of the funeral industry, but with nearly 2,000 tons of bones and ashes collected across Japan at crematoria every year, there is a dollar to be made in collecting the precious metals that are otherwise abandoned by the relatives of the deceased. I guess you would be looked upon as a ‘scrooge’ if you asked for the metals to be returned to you. Besides, there is not much of a market for a couple of gold fillings, is there?