Re: Who should I interview for upcoming podcasts?

Hi, great show, just found it.

One thing, the show does seem to be very much from a "northern american" stand point. Perhaps unavoidable and I realize it is difficult, but from down here in Australia, this can seem a little myopic. This has been a large hinderance in a global solution of course.

In Australia, we recently had a big change in government that rode on the back of these issues and have put in some interesting and forward thinking ideas and policies. I realize this is not a political forum and that politicians of any stripe are often more words than actions, but there does seem to be some major shifting of community attitudes, actions and expectations. After 11 years of a conservative government that was heavily aligned with the USA on world issues, the new government has returned to previous policies of seeing Australia as a part of Asia (the new primeminister (Kevin Rudd) even speaks fluent Mandarin). Their first legislation was to sign the Kyoto agreement but recognise it will have to go a lot further.

So, looking into what countries like Australia which are really feeling the effects of global warming now (very long term drought, etc) and the innovations in science, thought, business and government action to address these could be good. A recent story heard here
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/scienceshow/stories/2008/2263755.htm
Including a proposal to cut emmissions 60% by 2020, 100% from the 1990 levels by 2050. You may find that a Tim Flannery or Tim Costello or a government or business commentator would do an interview.

More simple things like Tim Costello's comments on Uni California's replacement for wood burning stoves in third world countries. The need to put PV cells cost effective not just to put on a few houses, but a mandate that every house must have a PV collector roof. The people from "the natural edge" mentioned have some fantastic resources for cutting back on business energy requirements.

I'd like to know a bit more about Coal Seam Gas...
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/backgroundbriefing/stories/2008/2264646.htm
Some of the efficiencies here is that it would appear that huge gas reserves exist right under the areas where you would want power stations and the population and this can be tapped straight into a powerstation from the ground without compression or transportation. Also, it would appear that water is down there to and is used to extract it, this too can be used to cool the plant. But is this all that it seems? It would appear that this was made more clear as a thing to explore when our water ran out to run our coal powerplnts and they had to switch to natural gas...so perhaps necessity provides.

Also, what has become of the more off the wall approaches...tamed tornados or convection towers...some of this seams to come out of Canada.

Also, is there much work on means to offset present and past carbon emmisions. I am thinking of the algae biomass generators feeding off the CO2 from coal or other plants without the use of huge crop land use.

Programs like this that engage government and business as well as the scientific perspective can aid in keeping their focus on these things. Publicizing initiatives from a wider world perspective challenges others to follow in these leads and to look more globally. Reinforcing the financial benefits to cut costs or provide products that honestly cater to the rapidly growing more energy consious consumers. Even conspicuous energy consumers can be influenced by peer pressure.

Australia is in an interesting position to look into such things and the effects of global warming are very apparent already. Not that long ago Australia was self sufficient in energy needs, now we import 40% of our oil. With a developed country with a small population, huge natural resources, significantly "isolated" still from the wider industrial world (geographically anyway) and one very close to the important emerging economies like china and india, it is a country that could make a significant contribution as a bridge to a global strategy and more freedom to act on it if they truely have the will...

Ok enough for a first post...will keep listening now that I have found you!