Suggestion for Discussion

Hi J&J
Many thanks for your kind hospitality this afternoon.
Now I know where 'lower bedhampton' is!
I would repeat my suggestion that we focus our discussion
onto a particular topic or preferably a question that our
our politicians may be asking of their 'advisers'. We could then
offer our view for their guidance. For example: why have a car
if there is an adequate public transport system (free at point of use)?
Have a good Christmas. Good luck for the January meeting.
Regards
Roym

Future Meetings

The next topic will be "Global Warming" and the likely consequences, extending obviously into "Rising Sea Levels" which may or may not be a topic for a subsequent meeting.

Future topics suggested include:

• The market (immorality and inefficiency of it)
• New materials & nano technology
• Stem cells
• Pandemics
• Population
• GM foods
• Credibility of the web
• Coal/Nuclear/Renewables vs efficiency
• Domestic energy
• Opencast mining

The Future of Cars

We discussed the future of private motor cars, starting a few interesting hares running, and some red herrings. Important points seem to be:

• The separation of expense and use
• That some costs are born by the public
• Arguments for no rel shortage of fuel, and governments' control of availability
• Need to separate pedestrians from vehicles - alternatively making streets for people.
• Uses of frequent buses and two wheelers as alternative to cars.
• Other means of energy storage, lead-acid batteries, lithium-ion, compressed air, CO2
• How improving batteries, improving electronics and improving engines might change the balance
• Why do we live so far from where we want to be anyway?

Links:

1. The Battery University - all you need to know about batteries
2. Plugin Hybrids - have the answers
3. Google Plugin hybrid advocacy
4. Peak Lithium - why PHEVs Plugin Hybrids may not have the answers
5. Fuel Efficient Vehicles - as listed by our government
6. Energy Densities - relevant to arguments about storage media