octave

Why wouldn't it be legal? A handbrake needs to be able to hold the vehicle on a hill. The handbrake on a Tesla and indeed many other modern cars operates this way.

You can buy biofuel in Australia biodiesel and bioethanol. Generally blended with conventional fuel. https://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/petrol-and-fuel/ethanol-and-other-biofuels

If by physical you mean a cable that operates the brake pads then yes. It does have a handbrake though. It is electrically operated.

The argument that as a country we contribute a small percentage of the overall is not persuasive to me. If you add up all of the countries that let's say produce less than 5% of the problem, together they make a substantial amount. If all of the countries that contribute larger portions such as China, the USA, and European countries move to cleaner technology are we really going to be like Grandpa who refuses to get rid of his EH Holden? Purely from the point of view of self-sufficiency we are capable of producing the "fuel" to drive our cars without importing it from the Middle East with all the problems that this brings. Are you asking me to answer that? I am not knowledgeable enough to calculate a figure. I can (and so can you) look at the research. The answer seems to be estimated at 150 million tonnes per year. If you are suggesting that the amount produced is less than the trees absorb we could say it doesn't matter however those trees can't be counted twice. We can't offset the carbon produced by cars and also claim that it offsets carbon from energy production. Yes, there are incentives. It seems to be around 3 to 3.5 k but they are also introducing road user charges to take account of the fuel taxes avoided. EVs are more efficient and even if you don't accept the science around climate change you surely understand that car exhaust is not healthy and is thought to cause health problems. Yes, this is true. My question to you is do you have the same environmental concerns over fracking? I am sure there are evangelical EV advocates out there but there are also many many evangelicals out there scouring the net looking for anything negative that they can find to bolster their argument. People who by and large are not worried about the environment suddenly become "evangelical" when it comes to cobalt mining (but only when used for EVs.) Those who post a link to a car fire and when it turns out not to have been an EV suddenly lose interest. There are some valid concerns about progressing to the next way of powering our transport but so often people go around the same issue and when their concerns are debunked they move on to the next issue and eventually end up back to the first issue to begin the cycle again. I don't particularly see myself as an evangelist in fact I hardly ever post EV-related content except in answer to postings of the same tired old myths. I don't even particularly have any interest in swaying someone's opinion. I do dislike posting of old myths and someone's gut feeling. If anyone wants to sway my opinion the way to do it is with verifiable facts. If in fact EVs turn out to be no better environmentally than IC there are still in my opinion compelling reasons to move to EV when the time for me is right. As I have said before on this forum my experience of driving several EVs is on my yearly holiday to stay with my son in NZ. I get the use of his EV. The time we were stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic because of an accident was a much better experience. Whilst all the other cars around us were idling going nowhere and some deciding to switch off we just sat using almost no energy. When we went to the zoo it was a hot day so we turned on the aircon 30 minutes before we got back to the car. Not, getting into a boiling car and impatiently waiting for the aircon to cool us down. On a cold morning, the car's heater will warm up the car before you get in. The almost silent smooth driving is fantastic. Whenever we get home and drive home from the airport I feel like I can feel/hear each cylinder detonation. All of this may not be of interest to you and I will often say to people who present lists of objections "Well clearly you should not buy one then." The present roadmap is for the end of new IC sales by I think 2035. It is simply not an issue for you or me. This makes me think that those who knock every aspect EVs are possibly motivated by either concern for income if they work in that industry or perhaps just conservatism and anxiety over change. Personally, I am excited by new technology. The idea of nothing changing seems boring and depressing. If in fact the doubters are correct with their many criticisms of EVs then the adoption will stall. I often argue that Norway is way way ahead of us with EV adoption. Norway has over 500 000 EVs on the road. The knockers should be looking to real-world evidence. Are cars bursting into flames all over the place? Are landfill sites full of EV batteries? Is their grid melting?

That is a good point. In 1950 average atmospheric CO2 was 310ppm. In 2023 it was 425ppm. Whilst trees and plants etc utilize CO2 it seems clear by the rapid increase that either there is too much CO2 being added to the atmosphere or we don't have enough plants and trees to ustilize it. The sea is of course absorbing a lot but this has limits and also bad effects in terms of acidificationj.

We had a very enjoyable paddle on our local river this morning. PXL_20240208_230921712.TS.mp4 We tied up under a shady tree for coffee.

Lemming like is a gross exaggeration. The rate of growth of EV adoption is grindingly slow. I would suggest that few on this forum will ever be forced to purchase an EV against their will. The adoption of EVs at this stage is glacially slow compared to the adoption of the petrol-driven car back in the day. Anyone who has done high school science knows what the carbon cycle is. The point is if some CO2 is good this does not mean that releasing CO2 formed over millions of years in 200 years is a good thing. Plants love fertilizer but not too much. I do not have a fundamental problem with biofuel other than perhaps land usage issues. People often like to characterize people concerned about climate change as ignorant and also radical. My view is not radical but in many ways conservative. My sources are not whacky and way out.

Again I don't think the rush towards zero emissions is at an ungodly pace. Certainly, the adoption of EV of IC is much slower than the adoption of IC over the horse. Kilo for Kilo I would actually argue that the EV is more energy-intensive than an equivalent IC. The important thing is the lfetime energy usage. Are electric vehicles definitely better for the climate than gas-powered cars? EV vs combustion engine: which car has fewer lifetime emissions? Of course, they have. According to CSIRO transport produces 21.1%. Australia's contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions Sources of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Suggesting that no one has ever thought to quantify these things suggests a lack of curiosity. Every mineral we mine comes with some cost. It amazes me that people are happy to forget that oil is drilled for, mostly on the other side of the world, and transported by a tanker also powered by oil. Once in Australia, this oil is refined which is another energy-hungry process and then a diesel-powered truck distributes this across the country, another energy-hungry system. Examples of lithium mining often focus on the worst cases of mining. Australia is the biggest producer of lithium at 49%. Lithium is also available, but I think not yet economically viable, from seawater. As for cobalt, it is being used less and less. http://Is cobalt the 'blood diamond of electric cars'? According to this source the US is a very small miner of lithium. E Australia and Chile: Dominating Global Lithium Supply Australia and Chile stand out as the top producers of lithium, accounting for almost 77% of the global production in 2022. Rank Country Mine production 2022E (tonnes) Share (%) 🌐 World Total 130,000 100.0% 1 Australia 61,000 46.9% 2 Chile 39,000 30.0% 3 China 19,000 14.6% 4 Argentina 6,200 4.8% 5 Brazil 2,200 1.7% 6 Zimbabwe 800 0.6% 7 Portugal 600 0.5% 8 Canada 500 0.4% 🌎 Other countries* 700 0.5%

I only see what my friends post and I do cull my friend list regularly if I don't enjoy what they post. I don't stay friends with nitwits Life is better when you take control. FB is not compulsory and I control what I see.

There is a list on page 11 of the federal legislation. This seems to accord with state legislation. Again I am not a lawyer or particularly knowledgeable in this area but it seems to me that model makers and military museums can relax. https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/download/legislation/bills/r7048_first-reps/toc_pdf/23077b01.pdf;fileType=application%2Fpdf (9) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(d), this subsection applies if a 22 reasonable person would consider that: 23 (a) the conduct mentioned in paragraph (1)(a) is engaged in for a 24 purpose that is: 25 (i) a religious, academic, educational, artistic, literary or 26 scientific purpose; and 27 (ii) not contrary to the public interest; or 28 (b) the conduct mentioned in paragraph (1)(a) is engaged in for 29 the purposes of making a news report, or a current affairs 30 report, that: 31 (i) is in the public interest; and 32 (ii) is made by a person working in a professional capacity 33 as a journalist.

I am a bit confused by this How would this be a crime? I am not not a lawyer but my lay reading of the legislation seems to make it clear that this would not be a crime. Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment (Prohibited Hate Symbols and Other Measures) Bill 2023 There are exemptions for a display that is made reasonably and in good faith for a genuine academic, artistic, religious or scientific purpose; or for a genuine cultural or educational purpose; or in making or publishing a fair and accurate report of any event or matter of public interest; or in opposition to fascism, Nazism, neo-Nazism or other related ideologies. Tattoos and the like are also exempt.

https://www.vic.gov.au/fact-sheet-nazi-symbol-prohibition 4. Are there any exceptions? There are several exceptions to the offence, recognising that Nazi symbols and gestures may be displayed or performed for genuine purposes. A person is not committing an offence if they display or perform a Nazi symbol or gesture reasonably and in good faith: for a genuine academic, artistic, educational, or scientific purpose, or in making or publishing a fair and accurate report of any event or matter of public interest. For example, where a person performs the Nazi salute within a theatre performance, or where a teacher shows a film in which the SS symbol can be seen as part of a history class. People also are not committing an offence if they display: a Nazi symbol for genuine cultural or religious purposes. This ensures certain religions can continue to use the sacred swastika. either a Nazi symbol or gesture in opposition to Nazism or related ideologies. For example, a person who displays a flag of Nazi Germany with a marking through it, or a person who displays the pink triangle used by LGBTIQ+ communities. Tattoos of Nazi symbols or gestures are not covered by the ban. There are also exceptions for law enforcement or administration of justice purposes.

Grundies, named after Reg Grundy and rhyming slang for undies

I am betting we won't. In Victoria, the EV share of the new car market in 2023 was 7.5% The move away from coal is not particularly fast. The Australian Energy Market Operator stated in its draft 2022 Integrated System Plan for the NEM that it expects the entire fleet to have exited the market completely by 2043. https://www.leadingedgeenergy.com.au/blog/timeline-for-coal-exit/ I would agree that at this stage an EV in Victoria charged overnight is being charged by dirty brown coal. By contrast in Tasmania, an EV charged at any time is being charged by hydro. When (if) I replace my car it will be EV and I won't charge it at night but during the day largely with my excess rooftop solar. This would work for me because I don't have to drive to work during the daylight hours. I do envisage that ways of charging will evolve to suit the situation. Near me there is an engineering company that has solar panels and 4 EV chargers, I assume for people who work there. I would also assume that it is probably part of an employment deal. The same 4 cars are always parked there during business hours. In other countries, employees expect to be able to charge their cars at work. The notion that we will close down all the coal-powered generators and it will go dark every night is a bit over the top. It is true that at present a weakness of renewables is their intermittent nature. This is not an insoluble problem. Some of the contributors to solving this problem.: Smart grid with domestic battery storage. Large batteries, which are being built at an impressive rate. Solar thermal generation. Pumped hydro where possible and other storage means such as gravity batteries and more. Big Battery Storage Map of Australia Commercial concentrated solar one step closer Whilst this technology is in its infancy in this country, there are many operating power plants around the world List of solar thermal power stations

There are a some trails in Perth https://www.railtrails.org.au/trails/?trail_state[]=84 Yeah, I am jealous too!

Mrs Ocatve and I had a short trip away this week. We drove to Yea on Tuesday and rode part of the Great Victorian Rail Trail over 2 days. The rail trails (which exist in every state) are brilliant. Safe trails that run along defunct rail routes. They often run through beautiful forests and you will often pass historic remains of rail infrastructure from a bygone age. Often on these rides, I will pop on my special riding headphones (they don't exclude outside noise) and listen to classical music. I often get an overwhelming feeling of privilege in having these trials available and being able to not have to work.

Here is an interesting thing. My son lives in a huge house which is actually 2 houses in one with his business partner his and his business partner's wife (also a business partner). It is a house full of nerdy young optimistic (not whingy) people This is a house where if you sit on the couch you might find yourself sitting on some intricate 3d printed model of a variable-pitch turboprop engine or some part of a robotic project. We absolutely love visiting my son and his friends/business partners and regard them as family. Anyway, I thought people might like to see this. My son's friend and business partner and an employee built this scaled-down replica of a "Reviniew clipper" It was fully built by these folks from plans. Everything was done by them except the sails. This vessel has a stealth electric motor as a backup. They even smelted the lead for the keel themselves. We will be going out on Wellington harbour on our next visit (weather permitting) Anyway this thing is awesome, (I have seen it in real life but it was not ready to go to sea at the time).

You would prefer more kids around with spina bifida and no added folate in food. That seems nuts to me.

Of all the things you ingest I find it hard to understand why you are alarmed by folate. Where do you stand on iodized salt? If we were to stop adding folate and that 35% drop in Neural Tube defect - spina bifida were to be reversed that surely would be a bad thing wouldn't it? If you are genuinely worried you can buy bread that has not had folate added. Organic bread is not required to contain folic acid. Bread made from other cereal flours or meals such as rice, corn or rye (provided they do not contain any wheat flour) do not have to contain folic acid, though manufacturers may add it if they wish.

They do folate to flour. If you object to folate in bread then do you object to it in leafy vegetables and nuts? Lack of folic acid in the blood leads to anemia. Lck of folate in pregnancy can lead to Neural tube defects spina bifida and anencephaly. "The birth prevalence of NTDs (proportion of babies in the population born with an NTD) has decreased by 35% in the United States, since folic acid fortification was required in 1998."

Also, the idea is that during some peak usage events, some people will voluntarily opt to reduce their power usage to prevent indiscriminate outages that would affect a wide range of people who would suddenly have no power.

I would presume that anyone in this situation would not sign up for this scheme. It does not involve switching off unsuspecting people's aircon. It pays people up to $400. When the grid is struggling they may have their aircon reduced to up to 50% The goal of this is to prevent more widespread power cuts during peak times. "Energex and Ergon access air conditioners through PeakSmart meters, which are controlled via power lines, usually in return for access to a cash rebate of up to $400." "The goal of the meters is to reduce pressure on the network at peak times, often on hot days." "The signal tells the air conditioner to drop into an energy efficient mode, similar to an economy setting," an Energy Queensland spokesman said." "On Monday and Saturday last week, Energex used its remote access to limit 169,490 air conditioners to run at 50 per cent power between 4:20pm and 6:50pm across the south-east." "According to the Energex website, a survey of users found 70,000 people using the device did not notice any difference when the the measure was activated." These are not random customers, these are people who sign up and take the money. I see no problem here, it is not being forced on anyone.

Mostly the process of name changing is a multigenerational process. There are people who for example use Uluru an others who use Uluru/Ayers Rock and others who only use Ayers Rock. I am quite attracted to dual names the reflect the old and the newer history.

This is no more difficult than when I Holiday in New Zealand.

Many geographical names that we all seem to accept are tricky for tourists. We know how to pronounce many tricky places names. Personally I love the fact that we don't just reuse British place names. Many of our place names are uniquely of this country. I think perhaps the issue is more to do with change. Surely nobody wants to change Gundagui ect. to some English place name?