Impact of Germany ending use of nuclear power
A lot of ink has been spilled over the decision of the German government to shut down all the nuclear reactors in Germany by 2020. Concern has been expressed over the impact of the shut down on German’s power needs, the German economy, the reduction of carbon dioxide emission for German power generation, etc. Forbes Magazine had a recent headline about it that asked if the decision was “Insane….or Just Plain Stupid.” The German company Siemens projected that the phase out would cost Germany close to 2 trillion dollars. Major shortfalls in the supply of electricity in Germany were predicted.
A recent special edition of the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists delves into the projected impact of the German shut down. Its conclusions do not support many of the concerns and may signal a turning point in the arguments for and against the worldwide use of nuclear power.
What has been reported is that although German power generation and carbon dioxide emissions have been dropping since 1990, Germany’s gross domestic products has risen by thirty six percent in the same period, disproving many dire warnings of economic doom caused by the rejection of nuclear power. The nuclear shut down and the support of a move to sustainable alternative energy sources are already showing significant environmental and economic benefits.
Germany began planning and action towards the nuclear phase-out more than a decade ago. Already, movement to renewable energy has benefited farmers, investors and small businesses. It is anticipated that the changes in energy sources will have only a small and temporary impact on the price of electricity in particular and the German economy in general.
If a major first world country such as Germany can phase out nuclear power completely within a decade with little in the way of economic or environmental cost then major arguments in support of nuclear power have taken a serious blow. Nuclear advocates will find it much more difficult to convince governments and citizens that nuclear power is necessary and inescapable.
While the future may look bright for Germany, the question has been raised as to how other countries who were buying surplus electricity from will make up the difference. Some of the other European countries who buy power from Germany may consider building more coal or oil fired power plants which will increase carbon dioxide release and offset German reductions. Or they may build more nuclear power plants with all their attendant problems. Hopefully, the example of Germany will inspire them to explore conservation, energy efficiency standards and renewable energy sources as an alternative to both fossil fuels and nuclear power.
The global nuclear technology industry is very tightly interconnected. Unlike many other sources of energy, if countries that manufacture nuclear reactors and their components or countries that refine uranium into fuel for reactors begin shutting down their nuclear technology involvement, it will become harder and harder for the remaining countries who want to continue using nuclear power to do so. Without a global government, there is no way to stop this trend once it has begun and the report in the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists may seen as the tipping point.
From nobelwomensinitiative.org:
Radioactive Waste 20 - Spent Fuel Rod Inventory
I have discussed spent nuclear fuel in a number of previous posts. I just encountered a study that deals with the current spent fuel rods inventory in the United States and the dangers that it poses. I thought that it would be worthwhile to recap the findings in the study.
Nuclear reactors employ fuel rods which are steel alloy tubes containing ceramic pellets of enriched uranium. These rods are combined into assemblies of a few hundred and then loaded into the core of a reactor. When the uranium has been depleted to the point where it can no longer server as fuel, the rods are removed from the reactor and stored in a pool of water for a year or more until they become less radioactive. When first removed from the reactor, a typical fuel rod gives off enough radiation to kill a nearby person in seconds. Even after several years of cooling, the rods as still very dangerous.
The United States has accumulated about 30 million spent fuel rods in the decades of commercial reactor operation. This is about sixty five thousand metric tons of fuel rods. Currently, seventy five percent of the spent fuel rods are stored in the cooling pools near the reactors. About forty percent of the radioactivity in the spent fuel rods is cesium-137. The amount of cesium in the U.S. fuel rod inventory is about twenty times the amount released by all the atmospheric tests of nuclear bombs. This is also about twenty times the amount of cesium-137 released by the Chernobyl accident. A single pool at a U.S. reactor may hold more fuel rods than the combined pools of the reactors damaged at Fukushima last year. The rods in just one of the Fukushima pools are considered a major threat to the world if the cooling system fails.
These spent fuel rod pools were only ever meant to be temporary storage with the intention being to move the rods to a permanent geological repository like the one planned for Yucca Mountain in Nevada. Unfortunately, Yucca Mountain got derailed by a combination of political and environmental factors. These pools are constructed form ordinary building materials. While they are protected from the weather, they are not secure from more dangerous threats such as major storms, earthquakes or terrorist attacks. There are thirty one U.S. reactors which have spent fuel pools several stories above the ground like the Fukushima fuel pools which are in danger of collapsing from structural damage. They do not have steel-lined concreted covers like the reactor vessels. Another sixty nine U.S. pools are not multiple stories above the ground but they also do not have steel-lined, concrete covers.
In the last thirty years, U.S. reactors have temporarily lost a large portion of their cooling water for spent nuclear fuel pools. If the rods are exposed to the open air, they will spontaneously burn. There have been eleven incidents since 911 after which the pools were supposed to be made more secure and safer. There are systems in place in the spent fuel pools to prevent a chain reaction from taking place. Corrosion has damages some of these systems in some pools to the point where chain reactions would not be prevented. Fuel rods are being used that have a higher proportion of U-235 and burn hotter than the older rods. The new rods are more radioactive when they are removed from the reactor and they are overloading the cooling systems in the spent fuel pools. The hotter fuel in the new rods can cause the shell of the rod to become brittle and also generate more hydrogen gas which could lead to explosions.
Many reactors are near major cities in the U.S. If there was a major accident involving spent fuel rods, it could require the evacuation of millions and the abandonment of large urban areas. Thousands of deaths from cancer would result. The damages would run into the hundreds of billions of dollars. The U.S. should immediate begin placing all fuel rods older than five years in dry casks. The cost would be a few billion dollars which is a small price to pay considering the enormous cost in dollars and lives a major accident would cause. These spent fuel pools a major threat to millions of Americans and should be dealt with immediately!
Spent nuclear fuel at Hanford, WA:
Rockstar!
Lots of designers make great use of gemstones, but no one uses them like the Swiss jewelry line LindseyMarie. This designer has a special gift for placing gemstones in bold cuffs, delicate necklaces, and rings that make a massive statement. Just have a look at what she's done with smoky quartz, rose quartz and amethyst.
But that's not all. LindseyMarie does amazing things with rhodonite, vermeil, labradorite and blue onyx, too. he LindseyMarie brand incorporates all of these gemstones -- and more -- into all of its collections, but our favorite is the Rockstar line, which is currently featured on Boticca.
With styles ranging from subtle-beautiful to in-your-face gorgeous, each of these lovely gemstones will have you expressing your own inner rock star. Who could ask for more?
Geneva based designer Lindsey Marie, who originally hails from Dallas, credits her Texas upbringing for the bold pieces in the Rockstar collection. She says that just like a true rock star, the stones in these collections are rough, rugged, and can never be polished to clean-cut perfection. And like all Texas fashion, these pieces are large, dazzling and full of expression.
To see more of the Rockstar collection by Lindsey Marie, head over to her Boticca shop. For all of of the LindseyMarie collections, check out the official webpage: it's all in French, so use Chrome and click "Translate" on the top pop-up.
Enjoy!
Look prettier in the morning
Yes, sleep is important. Sleep gives our bodies and our mind a chance to rest. However, the time in which we are sleeping is also the ideal time to become more beautiful. All it takes is a little prep time before we crawl into our beds. Here is some of this writer’s favorite beauty before bed tips.
Do you love the look of wavy hair? Yet, are you like most women and have little to no time to style your hair in the mornings? If you are nodding your head in agreement, try this simple tip. Braid your damp hair in some loose braids before crawling into your bed at night. Undo the braids in the morning and presto you have a nice wavy look in the morning that you tamed as much as you need or want.
Do you want to prevent wrinkles? By now, you know, that you can do this while you sleep. This can be done by applying your favorite anti-wrinkle creams and even Frownie patches. These can help stop movement while you sleep. Many women swear that they actually minimize the appearance of wrinkles.
Do you have dry skin? Night is the perfect time to try to repair it with a moisturize lotion. However, remember this rule of thumb if you shower or take a warm bath right before going to bed. The best time to apply lotion is within three minutes of bathing.
Does your hair feel especially dry? Consider applying conditioner or a hair mask on your hair at night when you know you will have in the morning to wash it out, completely.
Is your pale skin bugging you? Do you wish to apply self-tanning lotion or at home spray tan product? Night is the perfect time. However, be sure you are completely dry before crawling into bed.
Finally, if you can, sleep on satin pillow cases. This will help keep your hair smoother, help reduce static in your hair and will help reduce face and eye wrinkles.
Hair and the workplace
Do you wish you had a rat tail?
I don’t, but I worked at one company with someone who was very nice and who had a rat tail.
Do you feel the urge to distinguish yourself from the rest of the crowd by getting a Mohawk?
I don’t, but I worked at one company where one woman seemingly did just that.
Why can’t I ask these people about their hair choices?
I don’t work at that company any more.
I can’t say anything about the company, but I guess it just wasn’t a good fit for me. Maybe it was my hair, which was shoulder length and blonde. I didn’t want to get a rat tail. I didn’t want to get a Mohawk.*
This was the second time in my life when my hair choices may have affected my employment. In my 20s, a recruiter told me that my hair wasn’t styled enough for the person doing the hiring at the company I was applying for.
Not changing my hair probably made me stand out at my last workplace.
But if you’re unemployed or newly hired, how far do you have to go to show that you are good enough at doing your hair and make-up to get jobs? If you get a job at a non-traditional workplace, do you have to change your hair color and go all out with your scissors and get an outlandish new ‘do?
I opted to keep my hair the way I liked it at my last job, but tried to wear clothing that would fit in more with the workplace so I wouldn’t stand out. But since I’m almost 6’0 and a woman, it was hard not to stand out a little.
Some of my co-workers got the same hair-dos as their supervisors. My whole group had faux-hawks in honor of our fearless leader. Someone else got a Mohawk to emulate his supervisor. No one got a rat tail, but that would have been different if he had been a supervisor.
How important should a person’s hair be in the hiring and firing process? According to one or two the approximately 10 zillion job-hunting and networking books I read, hair and fitting into the workplace environment are extremely important.
But does that mean hair should be all that important? How much should someone have to focus on their hair to get a job?
*I can’t directly correlate the hair to losing the job. But it might have made me stand out more.
Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber split
Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber's very public breakup has fans of both in a total frenzy. Honestly, Gomez might be suffering post-split sadness now, but in the long run, she's better off, so chin up, disappointed Jelena fans. Why? Because for all his popularity, Bieber is still a teenybopper pop star.
It's time for Selena to move on, and start taking meatier acting roles. In other words, she needs to grow up. Having Justin on her arm only holds her back.
Justin and Selena definitely made a cute, teen celebrity couple, but at this point, the relationship was totally played out. The reason for the breakup really doesn't matter in the long run, though reports cite "trust issues" on Selena's part. Both Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez have long careers ahead of them, though one might argue that it's Selena, not her ex, whose career has the most potential.
Selena has a fantastic singing voice and a natural beauty and ease that makes her perfect for movies. Hopefully at some point, she'll get offers for meatier acting roles in films better than Spring Breakers. She has a much better chance of being taken seriously in Hollywood without the world's biggest teen pop star (and his screeching, crazy fans) on her arm. What's next for Selena Gomez? The sky is literally the limit for her.
Selena Gomez fans, what say you? Do you think that this Bieber split will help or hurt her career? And for that matter, what kinds of acting roles would you like Selena to take in the near future?
'Skyfall' is a hugely entertaining James Bond movie
James Bond fans, guess what? I've got excellent news about Skyfall, the 23rd installment in the Bond film franchise. Not only is it a fantastic, fast-paced movie, it's also one of the best Bond movies I've seen in decades.
I liked Casino Royale, hated Quantum of Solace and had expectations that Sam Mendes' Skyfall would be better than both. I was correct, I'm happy to say. This is a must see movie if you're a fan of the series like I am.
What makes Skyfall so great? What doesn't! Seriously, I had trouble finding fault with anything in the film. It worked for me on all levels. The acting was extraordinary, and this is the first time I really clicked with Daniel Craig as James Bond.
He brings a certain vulnerability to the role that I haven't seen before. He's also just hot and slick enough to, after a hugely entertaining opening train fight, swing down into a train car, adjust his cuffs, and still look totally cool.
Skyfall is visually gorgeous. It's definitely the best looking Bond film I've seen. We saw it in IMAX, and while that's certainly optimal, it's not necessary. I just splurged because I'm such a 007 nut! I'm impressed that director Sam Mendes was able to make this a great action movie (seriously, it keeps going and going) and balance a little deeper delve into James Bond's psyche.
Finally, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that I thought Javier Bardem, as the obligatory Bond villain, Silva, wasn't off-the-charts great. The man plays nasty almost too well. I kept expecting him to whip out an air gun, though his character in Skyfall is much more animated than the role he played in No Country for Old Men.
In summary: What you've got in Skyfall is a solid, entertaining, thrilling James Bond movie. If that's your thing, get to the theater now to see it!
A New Orleans Thanksgiving? Yes, please!
Ah, the holidays! With Thanksgiving fast approaching, are you planning a trip? New Orleans is an excellent city to visit over the holiday. Yes, some places are closed on Thanksgiving Day, but a surprisingly large amount of restaurants keep their doors open. Some even serve special menus!
Thanksgiving in the French Quarter, in particular, is a delight. The usual party crowds are almost always slightly less boisterous (at least on Thanksgiving), and the bars a bit less packed.
I have really fond memories of Thanksgivings past in New Orleans. Some were spent gathered around enormous holiday tables full of wonderful NOLA-style food (we always had shrimp Creole for our meal, not turkey) and others were spent with loved ones at some of the city's best restaurants. Which ones should you consider if you're planning a Thanksgiving New Orleans trip this year?
One place I'd recommend checking out is Tujague's. Yes, it is open on Thanksgiving Day for dinner, so make your reservations now. This is a smallish restaurant on Decatur Street in the French Quarter, and it's cozy. The food is excellent (especially the Beef Brisket with Creole Sauce), and if you like history, the place has been around for more than 150 years.
If you've got another restaurant or two in mind, be sure to check now to be sure they're serving on Thanksgiving. If they are, the reservations might be filling up fast. Other recommendations from me include The Rib Room (located in the Omni Royal Orleans Hotel on St. Louis Street in the French Quarter) and Domenica, a lovely Italian restaurant located in The Roosevelt hotel. Chef John Besh is brilliant, and you can't go wrong with any of your choices. Italian, for Thanksgiving?! Why not!
Enjoy your holidays in the Big Easy and I hope you have a wonderful meal!
Does life imitate art? I hope not.
Does life imitate art? I hope not because we are in the midst of times when there is very little “art” and a whole lot of TV shows. Even some of the supposed best TV shows might not give the best ideas to the American viewers. There are no “real people” depicted on TV.
Take, Dexter, for example. Should we really be admiring a vigilante serial killer just because he is cute? I don’t think so.
Or what about Mad Men? I heard one individual claim with pride that he was known as the Don Draper of the office. Great, that’s exactly what the world needs: more philandering guys who don’t do much real work, drink on the job, and are sexist to their employees. I know women who LOVE this show and seem to believe that they need to pay for expensive parties just like Mad Men.
Even the reality TV shows give hard examples of what life is like in certain niche audiences. Tots and Tiaras probably represents a very small part of the population, but all the young impressionable girls who watch the show are going to imitate the makeup-wearing, talent-having little girls who are taught to strut across the stage before some kids can even walk.
And what about the Real Housewives shows? They’re great entertainment, but how many real housewives actually live that life? Not the ones I know.
I just read an article which pinpointed the fact that most single women on TV are doctors or have doctorates. Again, this is probably not the largest segment of the single woman population. Imagine you as a single woman are having a bad day. Don’t you think you’ll feel bad if you decide to compare yourself to the single doctors on TV?
And are crime labs run like CSI? I don’t know. It’s a great show, but do we really need one for every single city? I can’t wait for CSI: Des Moines to hit the market.
Are “real people” that boring that the networks and cable shows can’t dedicate some TV time to the real people living their lives in an interesting way? Most of the shows that I’ve seen like this are on the ABC Family Channel.
That’s just what I notice when I skim through the channels. I’m not the kind of person to watch TV constantly, but I might watch more if there were some shows that were as good as Mad Men or the Sopranos, but reflected more of what real American life was like.
What do you think? What are your favorite TV shows?
Loving the freedom homeschooling affords
Every day I marvel at the amount of freedom that homeschooling affords. Tomorrow is my daughter's 13th birthday. Instead of getting up and following a normal routine of getting on a bus and going to school, I get to make this day special for her. I'm not saying that she will get out of learning, although I could let her if I wanted to. We'd just have to work on Saturday instead.
Tomorrow I will let my daughter sleep in a little bit later than normal, which is still early for most folks. Then I'll have her spend some time looking up the history of bowling. She can give me an oral report about what she learned (that takes care of history and grammar). Next, we'll go pick up her two best friends who are also homeschooled and head to the bowling alley.
Once at the bowling alley, I'll have the girls ask for a paper scoreboard so that they can add their scores by hand (math). They will also be responsible for purchasing lunch with the money I give them so that they can tally up the amount including tax and determine how much change they should be given. As for science, we'll discuss why their hair is demonstrating static after scuffing around the floors with their bowling shoes.
The girls can also investigate what happens when they throw the bowling ball at different speeds and different angles. There really are countless ways the kids can learn while participating in something fun for my daughter's birthday. A birthday should be celebrated and there is no reason you can't deviate from your every day education plan to make the day memorable for your homeschooled child. Enjoy the freedom.