Tree-ring study proves that climate was warmer in Roman and Medieval times than it is in the modern

[Apina]

I seriously people will look back in 1000 years, and laugh at 'global-warming' like we do about 'the world is flat'.

[Albion]

Sorry to turn this into a bit of a viticulture thread, I just find the cultivation side of it fascinating. I'm not a oenophile yet though so that's okay.

The Judgment of Paris in 1976 and subsequent wine competitions helped winemakers throughout the New World realize that they could make wines equal to the very best produced anywhere in the world as well educating some markets about the potential of wine outside Europe. This process was much easier in some countries like England, with little indigenous production and a centuries-old tradition of importing wine from around the world, than it was in other countries. Further competitions brought to international attention other great wines from around the world, some of which like Penfolds Grange had already been made for decades.

I think we should classify the new grape-growing regions of Europe and the regions where it has been completely revived from scratch (such as England) with the New World producers.
In England the viticulture is a mixture of the more traditional French techniques alongside the more modern New World ones.
Another difference between the old wine regions and these newer ones are the varieties - they're associated with certain regions in the old wine growing areas but the ones in the new wine growing areas tend to be international varieties.
And finally there's also a sharp divide between New and Old worlds regarding hybrid and North American grape species being used in wine. The French created many of the hybrids but are greatly against anything with North American genes being used in viticulture in Europe. In England it is quite the opposite to most of Europe though, here hybrids are often used alongside the European vines, particularly Seyval Blanc which has earned the nickname of "Save all" for its reliability. English producers like England in general tend to be between Old and New Worlds on this. The pioneer viticulture movements in the Netherlands and Denmark tend to follow the English example whilst Russia has been expanding its area further northwards with winter-hardy hybrids (it has perfect summer temperatures but its winters are too cold for most European varieties north of the Black Sea and Azov).

So I think the EU rules on viticulture need to be reformed to accommodate these differences. Three divisions for the continent - Western, Eastern and Northern. Western would embrace the traditional wine-producing areas in France, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Germany whilst Eastern would serve Eastern Europe which has its different varieties, techniques and history from the west. And finally the northern would be largely a zone of revival and of pushing the limits, with hardier strains and more acceptance New World ideas.
Basically all three sectors would have different regulations suited to their context.

[Pretan]

It's gonna coast billions to install those new nuclear facilties in England & Wales.

If you want those plants, fair play. Stick them in Lincolnshire and I'll have my turbines in West Lothian.

To run Scotland completely on those Glorified Windmills, you would need to cover most the Highlands in them.

The average 120m high Wind turbine produces 2 MW, Intermittent Power (Thats provided the weather is favourable)
Compare that with the most upto date AP1000 Nuclear Power Reactor which produces 1154MW.(Consistently)

It would be more costly making and sustaining the 577 turbines.(If the country only had them it would get blackouts during anticyclonic weather)

[YOUTUBE]zc7rRPrA7rg[/YOUTUBE]

^Visual representation
When Nuclear Fusion is refined it will make these Fission reactors look pathetic in comparison. Its time to improve our technology not go backwards with windmills.

[Albion]

It's gonna coast billions to install those new nuclear facilties in England & Wales.

If you want those plants, fair play. Stick them in Lincolnshire and I'll have my turbines in West Lothian.

Can you imagine trying to power England with a few wind turbines? We'd need the whole coast filled with them!
Scotland on the other hand with a smaller population and also access to a lot of hydro could perhaps do it.

The English situation mirrors France though - large population - current renewable sources aren't going to cut it. France became an exporter of electricity with nuclear and it is much cleaner (apart from accidents anyway).
We need to renew our nuclear power stations and have those powering the nation instead of a few turbines that will be obsolete in 20 years.

It will cost billions to put up wind turbines everywhere but we'd see little benefit from them. Instead we should spend the money on proper sources of energy, on nuclear or clean coal (using our own 400 year supply).
The government is currently discussing public-private partnerships to achieve this. The French and German companies which were interested aren't so sure now because France and Germany have rather anti-nuclear leaders at the moment (otherwise known as idiots).
But the Chinese are interested in showcasing their capabilities in Britain and proving to the world that they can build quality power plants within some of the tightest regulations in the world. Basically Britain would act as their shopfront to advertise to the world that they can build you a nuclear plant. I think it would be good for the both of us, we could do with courting China a bit for better access to their markets.

[Damião de Góis]

[Graham]

Those 10 new Nuclear stations to be built. The price to build one is going towards £7bn and rapidly rising.

[Albion]

Those 10 new Nuclear stations to be built. The price to build one is going towards £7bn and rapidly rising.

And what is the price of blackouts?

Those plants will last for decades whereas a few wind turbines won't and will not supply us with adequate power. Public-private partnerships are probably the better option for this.

[Graham]

We already have a large windfarm in my back yard. Happy to add more.
My photo...


We also have Pates Hill Wind Farm, 7 turbines & £100m plans for 30 wind turbines and forest in West Lothian. 49,000 homes

Whitelee Wind Farm 140 Siemens wind turbines 124,000 homes. Up the road.

[The Lawspeaker]

And what is the price of blackouts?

Those plants will last for decades whereas a few wind turbines won't and will not supply us with adequate power. Public-private partnerships are probably the better option for this.

I am not sure: private enterprise can provide some funds when it comes to road construction but they should always be kept out a nuclear reactor because they would cut costs on the safety right away.

[Graham]

And what is the price of blackouts?

Those plants will last for decades whereas a few wind turbines won't and will not supply us with adequate power. Public-private partnerships are probably the better option for this.

I don't mind what England does. Different needs for different countries. We have lots more wind and space with less population.