2015 Conference

Discussion Symposium

Theme:  Recognizing an imminent threat to our lives and taking a proactive stance

Justification: If we continue our ‘business as usual’ approach, we may be too late in saving the oceans for our children and grandchildren.  This is really Confronting  Frontiers, Borders, and Boundaries.

First, we will look at what we are doing to our oceans. This segment ideally will be conducted with Dr. Ken Caldeira.  This will end with ocean acidification and its effects. 

Next, Dr. Greene will discuss the Carbon Cycle, i.e. how and how much generated CO2 is naturally stored in the atmosphere, gradually dissolved in the oceans, changing their chemistry (pH), and gradually sequestered on the ocean floor.  He will draw an analogy of how the Oregon oyster farmers faced this issue but on a smaller scale.  He will do a first order estimate of how much energy it will take to address this issue and over what period of time.  He will posit “Where will we get massive amounts of carbon-free energy to address the problem?”

Then, Dr. Malhotra, if available, will review available clean energy options.  He will project global energy demand through mid-century.  He will then describe what we must do to achieve each increment of energy to meet future demand.  It then becomes immediately obvious that on our current path we will be generating more CO2 in 2050 then we are today and that wind and solar are incapable to close the gap.

Finally, Dr. Cannara will describe why nuclear power is really our only viable alternative.  He will briefly describe why our current nuclear technology is the ‘greenest’.  But he will then explain the advantages of moving to ‘new nuclear’, i.e. Molten Salt Reactors (MSRs) and those based on a Thorium Fluoride fuel cycle (LFTRs).

Dr. Greene will do a quick recap and a ‘call to action’.

The floor will then be opened for follow-on questions and discussions.