big dam

[steelayer]

Therein lies the rub. We're not ready to tax ourselves to pay for wind power. It has to be profitable for it to have a real chance, and it's not there yet. Nuclear is.

gota agree with you there. You guys wouldnt belive half the stuff that happens in those towers... hydraylic leaks that lose 80 gallons of oil all the way down a 300 foot tower are not uncommon. The worst is Acciona NEVER INVEST in Acciona! wind power seems great on a small scale but on a large scale its a money drain like you wouldnt belive.

 

[dogofwar]

Thanks for posting this, Peter!

It could have a devastating impact on the existence of many, many species...and (less importantly) the availability of wild fish for the aquarium trade...

I'm interested to know how many hobbysists are interested in conservation type issues?

What role could (or should) hobbyists or hobby organizations have in conserving / preserving habitats?

Matt

 

[ceeej31]

this dam could be bad news for the Xingu river and the surrounding rainforest, i think best case scenario would be that we end up with an ecosystem symilar to the brokopondo in surinam

 

[dogofwar]

There are benefits and risks to all of these sources of energy. And Brazil - as a growing nation - needs energy.

The question is: What steps could they take to reduce the impact on important habitats? And by important, I mean habitats that have unique species / ecosystems...

And another question: Who (other than James Cameron) is willing to put forth the resources to impact decision-making around this and other similar projects?

Matt

 

[cchhcc]

If you take a look at the entire picture, could this dam be an improvement over the clearing of rainforest for ethanol related crops? Soybean, switchgrass, cane, and cattle related clearing is CRUSHING the rainforest.

....But who are we Americans and Europeans to talk? We deforested our countries for hundreds of years!

 

[baldtaxguy]

I'm interested to know how many hobbysists are interested in conservation type issues?

I'm interested - is this a poll? Or do you have info to share?

What role could (or should) hobbyists or hobby organizations have in conserving / preserving habitats?

We should have a role. Do you have info here?

 

[steelayer]

If you take a look at the entire picture, could this dam be an improvement over the clearing of rainforest for ethanol related crops? Soybean, switchgrass, cane, and cattle related clearing is CRUSHING the rainforest.

....But who are we Americans and Europeans to talk? We deforested our countries for hundreds of years!

Trust me this dam isnt going to prevent expansion in the surrounding forest its going to encourage it. Truthfully I dont think anyone of us posting on this thread knows what the impact is going to be so its hard to condem a growing country for tryign to create power.

 

[VRWC]

In all honesty, its their country, their business and their decision. We are spread thin enough trying to give our opinion/help/democracy/protection throughout the world to basically nothing but ungrateful people that are too stupid to find a pot to piss in, let alone contemplate the ins and outs of conservation of species.

We are 90% of the worlds charities and only 4% of its population...and 20% of its GDP. Its time to worry about ourselves and stop delving into outside situations that arent our business, regardless of the outcome of its indigenous people. Its all most of us can do to provide for ourselves/families etc.

 

[dogofwar]

No information to share...wondering myself...

There are some excellent general conservation programs out there. The Nature Conservancy's Parks in Peril program is a good example (www.parksinperil.org).

The Jane Goodall Foundation is working to conserve the ecosystem in Kigoma, Tanzania (yes...the same Kigoma, Tanzania that borders Lake Tanganyika...and the same deforestation that impacts chimps causes runoff and cloudiness in the lake)... http://www.janegoodall.org/media/news/GGE-CAP

The question is: Who is advocating for cichlids within broader conservation efforts?

Sure as heck isn't the ACA...

Which leads me to wonder how many in our hobby are interested in conservation (beyond having rare fish in their tanks)?

Matt

I'm interested - is this a poll? Or do you have info to share?

We should have a role. Do you have info here?

 

[dogofwar]

How much have you traveled? I'd guess not much if your view of humanity is as you describe it...

Matt

In all honesty, its their country, their business and their decision. We are spread thin enough trying to give our opinion/help/democracy/protection throughout the world to basically nothing but ungrateful people that are too stupid to find a pot to piss in, let alone contemplate the ins and outs of conservation of species.

We are 90% of the worlds charities and only 4% of its population...and 20% of its GDP. Its time to worry about ourselves and stop delving into outside situations that arent our business, regardless of the outcome of its indigenous people. Its all most of us can do to provide for ourselves/families etc.