Comments for Ocean Noise http://ocean-noise.com/blog Human generated noise about human generated noise Sat, 10 Dec 2011 03:42:25 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Comment on Some good news in improving technologies! by aeinews.org » Blog Archive » New tech may reduce harmful noise of sonar, airguns http://ocean-noise.com/blog/2011/12/some-good-news-in-improving-technologies/comment-page-1/#comment-763 aeinews.org » Blog Archive » New tech may reduce harmful noise of sonar, airguns Sat, 10 Dec 2011 03:42:25 +0000 http://ocean-noise.com/blog/?p=752#comment-763 [...] good friend Michael Stocker already wrote up a solid blog post  that summarizes three such projects, with links to source material and more information. Head on over to his Ocean Conservation [...] [...] good friend Michael Stocker already wrote up a solid blog post  that summarizes three such projects, with links to source material and more information. Head on over to his Ocean Conservation [...]

]]> Comment on Mitigating offshore wind farm noise by Michael Stocker http://ocean-noise.com/blog/2011/09/mitigating-offshore-wind-farm-noise/comment-page-1/#comment-750 Michael Stocker Mon, 21 Nov 2011 06:15:14 +0000 http://ocean-noise.com/blog/?p=682#comment-750 An interesting argument, but a few points are missing here. One is that offshore wind is significantly more persistent, and reliable than the most terrestrial wind sources. Additionally a wind farm is not typically loaded to capacity, so "excess" power can be stored. One of the most efficient methods is storing the power kinetically - running flywheels for example. Another is running pumps to augment tidal capture and thermal gradient systems. Additionally, while we do not have the current capacity to "throw the switch" over to wind, we could - and should sensibly increase wind and tidal capacity and wean ourselves off of fossil fuel. A lot of wind projects are focused on offshore wind because it is so reliable. And even in the occasion when the wind slows down or stops we do have the ability to predict these patterns because the are not local, or even regional - rather they are hemispheric in scale, so we don't have to say "oh my gosh! put the kettle on the stove Mavis!" Offshore wind energy also puts the farms in close proximity to tidal and wave energy resources - obviating a perfect complimentary blend between wind and tides. The wind may be variable, but the tides? In terms of "making the wind generation companies rich" I'd advance that we are currently making the oil companies filthy rich, and it is not doing much to get our economy out of its slump, or our planetary climate out of its tailspin. I'd like to see some of the "energy largess" distributed across a broader sector to sort of level the playing field a bit. It is not good having our entire energy supply monopolized by fossil fuel. Holding on to burning hydrocarbons, or shifting over to more benign sources of power - none of this comes without costs, but just some elementary napkin scratching reveals how expensive fossil fuel is once true costs of tax subsidies, military defense of oil supplies, and environmental damage is factored in. If I were boss of the world I'd take half on the petroleum subsidies and hand it over to renewable energy technologies. I believe that this would make it abundantly clear how competitive renewable sources really are. An interesting argument, but a few points are missing here. One is that offshore wind is significantly more persistent, and reliable than the most terrestrial wind sources. Additionally a wind farm is not typically loaded to capacity, so “excess” power can be stored. One of the most efficient methods is storing the power kinetically – running flywheels for example. Another is running pumps to augment tidal capture and thermal gradient systems.

Additionally, while we do not have the current capacity to “throw the switch” over to wind, we could – and should sensibly increase wind and tidal capacity and wean ourselves off of fossil fuel.

A lot of wind projects are focused on offshore wind because it is so reliable. And even in the occasion when the wind slows down or stops we do have the ability to predict these patterns because the are not local, or even regional – rather they are hemispheric in scale, so we don’t have to say “oh my gosh! put the kettle on the stove Mavis!”

Offshore wind energy also puts the farms in close proximity to tidal and wave energy resources – obviating a perfect complimentary blend between wind and tides. The wind may be variable, but the tides?

In terms of “making the wind generation companies rich” I’d advance that we are currently making the oil companies filthy rich, and it is not doing much to get our economy out of its slump, or our planetary climate out of its tailspin. I’d like to see some of the “energy largess” distributed across a broader sector to sort of level the playing field a bit. It is not good having our entire energy supply monopolized by fossil fuel.

Holding on to burning hydrocarbons, or shifting over to more benign sources of power – none of this comes without costs, but just some elementary napkin scratching reveals how expensive fossil fuel is once true costs of tax subsidies, military defense of oil supplies, and environmental damage is factored in. If I were boss of the world I’d take half on the petroleum subsidies and hand it over to renewable energy technologies. I believe that this would make it abundantly clear how competitive renewable sources really are.

]]> Comment on Mitigating offshore wind farm noise by MD4U http://ocean-noise.com/blog/2011/09/mitigating-offshore-wind-farm-noise/comment-page-1/#comment-749 MD4U Sun, 20 Nov 2011 21:18:37 +0000 http://ocean-noise.com/blog/?p=682#comment-749 "While wind power has significantly lower environmental impact than fossil fuel" This is a false statement because, wind is an intermittent, unreliable, non-dispatchable source of energy. The result is that for every MW of potential Industrial Wind Turbine installed, an equivalent amount of reliable, dispatchable power must be at the ready for when the wind does not blow. This back up generation must be at the ready 7/24, 365 days of the year, and is overwhelmingly in the format of "boiling water" (BW) steam generation achieved by burning fossil fuels. As you are aware from making tea, water to steam is not instantaneous, thus the BW system is forever boiling water just in case it's needed instantly. Thus you are ALWAYS burning fossil fuels. Additionally BW systems on standby, are paid for by consumers to be on standby, wether we use them or not. Governments are duplicating the generation system for no justifiable reason except to make Wind Generation companies rich, and the electrical rate payer poorer. IWTs are economic parasites that will ultimately kill the host. “While wind power has significantly lower environmental impact than fossil fuel”
This is a false statement because, wind is an intermittent, unreliable, non-dispatchable source of energy. The result is that for every MW of potential Industrial Wind Turbine installed, an equivalent amount of reliable, dispatchable power must be at the ready for when the wind does not blow. This back up generation must be at the ready 7/24, 365 days of the year, and is overwhelmingly in the format of “boiling water” (BW) steam generation achieved by burning fossil fuels. As you are aware from making tea, water to steam is not instantaneous, thus the BW system is forever boiling water just in case it’s needed instantly. Thus you are ALWAYS burning fossil fuels. Additionally BW systems on standby, are paid for by consumers to be on standby, wether we use them or not. Governments are duplicating the generation system for no justifiable reason except to make Wind Generation companies rich, and the electrical rate payer poorer. IWTs are economic parasites that will ultimately kill the host.

]]> Comment on Throwing Precaution to the Wind – and the Waves by Michael Stocker http://ocean-noise.com/blog/2011/10/throwing-precaution-to-the-wind-%e2%80%93-and-the-waves/comment-page-1/#comment-748 Michael Stocker Wed, 16 Nov 2011 03:13:32 +0000 http://ocean-noise.com/blog/?p=704#comment-748 The market approach might be applied, but Public Benefit organizations mission is not to market products and use the proceeds to advance their agenda, rather it is to shed light on ways they believe will make the world a better place. Sometimes lawsuits are their only remedy. Our big problem is that the Oil Men are bent on squeezing maximum economic advantage out of their market regardless of the external consequences. The Koch brothers are funding a "think tank" called "Beacon Enterprises" whose mission is to spread the idea that wind farms are "job killers." Exxon spent $279 million in 2009 to confuse the public on anthropogenic causes of climate change (last available numbers). I actually met two degreed professionals at an Acoustics Society conference recently who were confused about the issue. Exxon seems to be winning this one - in the short term.. Meanwhile the American Petroleum Institute's 5 year plan is to make America the #1 producer of oil and gas by 2018, by, in the words of their president Jack Girrard "open up leases on all coasts, maintain the current federal subsidies, and roll back all constraining environmental regulations. Given that the industry has two lobbyists per federal representative (and the ones I know are making at least $200kpa), they do have the political muscle to drive this agenda. This article may be informative about their strategy: http://thinkprogress.org/green/2011/11/15/369358/why-are-house-republicans-holding-hearing-20-about-how-to-drill-more-despite-the-fact-that-we-are-drilling-like-crazy/ The Public Benefit organizations have enough on their plate without having to compete in such a loaded market. The market approach might be applied, but Public Benefit organizations mission is not to market products and use the proceeds to advance their agenda, rather it is to shed light on ways they believe will make the world a better place. Sometimes lawsuits are their only remedy.

Our big problem is that the Oil Men are bent on squeezing maximum economic advantage out of their market regardless of the external consequences. The Koch brothers are funding a “think tank” called “Beacon Enterprises” whose mission is to spread the idea that wind farms are “job killers.” Exxon spent $279 million in 2009 to confuse the public on anthropogenic causes of climate change (last available numbers). I actually met two degreed professionals at an Acoustics Society conference recently who were confused about the issue. Exxon seems to be winning this one – in the short term..

Meanwhile the American Petroleum Institute’s 5 year plan is to make America the #1 producer of oil and gas by 2018, by, in the words of their president Jack Girrard “open up leases on all coasts, maintain the current federal subsidies, and roll back all constraining environmental regulations. Given that the industry has two lobbyists per federal representative (and the ones I know are making at least $200kpa), they do have the political muscle to drive this agenda.

This article may be informative about their strategy: http://thinkprogress.org/green/2011/11/15/369358/why-are-house-republicans-holding-hearing-20-about-how-to-drill-more-despite-the-fact-that-we-are-drilling-like-crazy/

The Public Benefit organizations have enough on their plate without having to compete in such a loaded market.

]]> Comment on “The Cove” Slaughtering dolphins in Japan for food, fun, and profit by Michael Stocker http://ocean-noise.com/blog/2009/07/the-cove-slaughtering-dolphins-in-japan-for-fun-food-and-profit/comment-page-1/#comment-747 Michael Stocker Wed, 16 Nov 2011 02:56:32 +0000 http://ocean-noise.com/blog/?p=143#comment-747 Ric O'Barry chose Taiji because it was a "cleaner" story: Dolphin round-up, sale of the photogenic victims to buyers, and slaughter of all of the rest. The fishery is not making enough money on the meat to justify the effort, so without the captive animal trade it would go under. But the story gets more complicated: The captive animal trade is going on all over the South Pacific; dolphins are captured that end up in "dolphinariums" and "dolphin swim experiences" everywhere. If you have seen a captive dolphin at a theme park, or swam with one somewhere, you have witnessed this brutality in action. Purportedly parks and aquariums in the US are prohibited from accepting dolphins procured this way. But the loophole is that they can take dolphins that are already in captivity from parks or aquariums that are "going under." Thus there are a lot of "dolphin laundries" that open up to take in dolphins, then "go out of business" and have to place their stock. I understand that the Tijii dolphins sell for $150k to $200k. Perhaps more now that they are under global scrutiny. Let folks know about this, as it will hopefully stem the popularity of these cruel, exploitative facilities. Ric O’Barry chose Taiji because it was a “cleaner” story: Dolphin round-up, sale of the photogenic victims to buyers, and slaughter of all of the rest. The fishery is not making enough money on the meat to justify the effort, so without the captive animal trade it would go under.

But the story gets more complicated: The captive animal trade is going on all over the South Pacific; dolphins are captured that end up in “dolphinariums” and “dolphin swim experiences” everywhere. If you have seen a captive dolphin at a theme park, or swam with one somewhere, you have witnessed this brutality in action.

Purportedly parks and aquariums in the US are prohibited from accepting dolphins procured this way. But the loophole is that they can take dolphins that are already in captivity from parks or aquariums that are “going under.” Thus there are a lot of “dolphin laundries” that open up to take in dolphins, then “go out of business” and have to place their stock.

I understand that the Tijii dolphins sell for $150k to $200k. Perhaps more now that they are under global scrutiny.

Let folks know about this, as it will hopefully stem the popularity of these cruel, exploitative facilities.

]]> Comment on “The Cove” Slaughtering dolphins in Japan for food, fun, and profit by Michele Hodge http://ocean-noise.com/blog/2009/07/the-cove-slaughtering-dolphins-in-japan-for-fun-food-and-profit/comment-page-1/#comment-746 Michele Hodge Tue, 15 Nov 2011 13:55:15 +0000 http://ocean-noise.com/blog/?p=143#comment-746 To whom it may concern, I find it utterly disgusting that Japan is still slaughtering gorgeous dolphins whom are clever curious creatures and whom love humans, WHY ?? you have to stop this as its inhumane and cruel and ignorant and i also saw the film which was shown on uk tv about this abismal trade. I wonder whether humans are intelligent enough to understand that these creatures need to survive and live in their own territory which humans are invading ! Yours sincerely M Hodge To whom it may concern,

I find it utterly disgusting that Japan is still slaughtering gorgeous dolphins whom are clever curious creatures and whom love humans, WHY ?? you have to stop this as its inhumane and cruel and ignorant and i also saw the film which was shown on uk tv about this abismal trade. I wonder whether humans are intelligent enough to understand that these creatures need to survive and live in their own territory which humans are invading !

Yours sincerely

M Hodge

]]> Comment on Throwing Precaution to the Wind – and the Waves by Bill Walker http://ocean-noise.com/blog/2011/10/throwing-precaution-to-the-wind-%e2%80%93-and-the-waves/comment-page-1/#comment-729 Bill Walker Mon, 31 Oct 2011 19:43:49 +0000 http://ocean-noise.com/blog/?p=704#comment-729 Research into fuel cell technology is advancing albeit at a very slow pace. In my opinion it is the most promising and cleanest energy solution that we currently have some understanding of, it is so promising in fact that it would not surprise me if large energy conglomerates are doing everything that they can to keep its developement bottled up as much as possible. I think the time has come for environmental groups to raise money and buy the rights/patents to some of these new technologies instead of using there limited resources in litigation of these large companys. If just a couple of patents were bought that eventually paid off the environmentalist groups could use the profits to fight for other causes while creating a domino effect in raising cash. http://visusunoorca.wordpress.com Research into fuel cell technology is advancing albeit at a very slow pace. In my opinion it is the most promising and cleanest energy solution that we currently have some understanding of, it is so promising in fact that it would not surprise me if large energy conglomerates are doing everything that they can to keep its developement bottled up as much as possible. I think the time has come for environmental groups to raise money and buy the rights/patents to some of these new technologies instead of using there limited resources in litigation of these large companys. If just a couple of patents were bought that eventually paid off the environmentalist groups could use the profits to fight for other causes while creating a domino effect in raising cash.

http://visusunoorca.wordpress.com

]]> Comment on The economies of gratitude…. by Ammonitee http://ocean-noise.com/blog/2009/12/the-economies-of-gratitude%e2%80%a6/comment-page-1/#comment-677 Ammonitee Tue, 20 Sep 2011 15:32:52 +0000 http://ocean-noise.com/blog/?p=251#comment-677 Thank you for pointing this out. There is also a story in the documentary "The Bridge" in which a young man tells how he was saved by a seal when he attempted suicide off the Golden Gate Bridge. He fell to the water, but after he hit he was kept afloat, broken bones and all, by a seal until the CG was able to get there. Thank you for pointing this out.
There is also a story in the documentary “The Bridge” in which a young man tells how he was saved by a seal when he attempted suicide off the Golden Gate Bridge. He fell to the water, but after he hit he was kept afloat, broken bones and all, by a seal until the CG was able to get there.

]]> Comment on Report from the International Quiet Ocean Experiment by jason @ soundproofing http://ocean-noise.com/blog/2011/09/report-from-the-international-quiet-ocean-experiment/comment-page-1/#comment-663 jason @ soundproofing Sat, 17 Sep 2011 23:24:32 +0000 http://ocean-noise.com/blog/?p=597#comment-663 To be honest, ocean noise isn't something that I've ever considered and your article has made me aware of it. It's an environmental thing and all about consideration for other animals. Quite how it actually works I have no idea. To be honest, ocean noise isn’t something that I’ve ever considered and your article has made me aware of it.

It’s an environmental thing and all about consideration for other animals. Quite how it actually works I have no idea.

]]> Comment on Supreme Court rules in favor of the Navy by Guns don’t kill dolphins. We kill dolphins. – Michael Straus' Blog http://ocean-noise.com/blog/2008/11/supreme-court-rules-in-favor-of-the-navy/comment-page-1/#comment-445 Guns don’t kill dolphins. We kill dolphins. – Michael Straus' Blog Tue, 29 Mar 2011 03:47:20 +0000 http://ocean-noise.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/justices-topper.jpg#comment-445 [...] of US Navy explosives exercises. The bitter irony here is that these exercises were allowed by a Supreme Court ruling back [...] [...] of US Navy explosives exercises. The bitter irony here is that these exercises were allowed by a Supreme Court ruling back [...]

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