You didn't - except that by blocking nuclear power you end up with it by default, so you have to accept that you are implicitly supporting it.
> why is it different for alternative, renewable sources of energy?
Because there aren't any. Sun and wind can do a portion, and I'm glad for it (except photovoltaics).
But what about the rest? There is no renewable source of energy than can do the rest of the job, so we need something, and it's either natural gas, coal, or nuclear.
> Pollution bothers me - there. Radioactive pollution bothers me most.
But why?! Yes, I know the potential is worse. But the actually is better! Why do you look at the potential instead of the actuality?
> sounds very old fashioned and boring
???
> Renewable sources of energy are also just "lying around" ready to be "mined" by us.
But there is not enough of it. Not unless we cover the earth with energy collectors, and I don't want that. I assume you don't either.
> most of it in wind, followed by hydro and your dreaded solar at a distant third place. In any case - I would think that's substantial enough to render your original assertion moot.
It's not moot though. Hydro is maxed out. Wind could probably take a larger share - but then what? What about the final 70%?
> so you have to accept that you are implicitly supporting it.
Nope, I don't have to do that. You don't just get to claim I'm in a catch 22.
Actually, this appears to be what the article echoes as well: Everybody is telling Germany they can't do it, but they just do it anyways.
> But what about the rest?
Increase in efficiency of what is existing, smarter use of the energy that we have. That should get us quite a long way.
> Yes, I know the potential is worse. But the actually is better!
Which is why I don't think we have to increase 'potential' to make sure that the 'actually' stays that way.
> Not unless we cover the earth with energy collectors, and I don't want that. I assume you don't either.
No, totally terrible plan - creating all those jobs and encouraging all that innovation. I've already said it before in this thread - I'm very much OK with setting up as many collectors as it takes.
> but then what? What about the final 70%?
In the short term, Germany is gunning for 35% - once we are there, we will reassess. I don't claim to be able to predict the future like you apparently do, but I sure know which path sounds better. To me, at least.
No, the actually of pollution, not the potential.
> coal plants. Where did I say I support those?
You didn't - except that by blocking nuclear power you end up with it by default, so you have to accept that you are implicitly supporting it.
> why is it different for alternative, renewable sources of energy?
Because there aren't any. Sun and wind can do a portion, and I'm glad for it (except photovoltaics).
But what about the rest? There is no renewable source of energy than can do the rest of the job, so we need something, and it's either natural gas, coal, or nuclear.
> Pollution bothers me - there. Radioactive pollution bothers me most.
But why?! Yes, I know the potential is worse. But the actually is better! Why do you look at the potential instead of the actuality?
> sounds very old fashioned and boring
???
> Renewable sources of energy are also just "lying around" ready to be "mined" by us.
But there is not enough of it. Not unless we cover the earth with energy collectors, and I don't want that. I assume you don't either.
> most of it in wind, followed by hydro and your dreaded solar at a distant third place. In any case - I would think that's substantial enough to render your original assertion moot.
It's not moot though. Hydro is maxed out. Wind could probably take a larger share - but then what? What about the final 70%?