Earth is too beautiful to let it die.THE FUTURE OF THE PLANET
Today is the teeter-totter on which our actions determine what the future of our planet will be. We can tip it either way. What we can’t do is wait. There is a chance that we have already waited too long before acting, and that we are beyond the tipping point, the point of no return.
This prompt inspired the following as yet unpolished, untitled, inverted, Italianate sonnet. At least I think that’s what it is.
As glaciers and the polar ice-caps shrink,
that which radiated to the sky
is trapped by smog-spawned blankets holding heat.
And still our SUVs and Hummers drink
their Falstaff-portioned quaffs of gas. We buy
tales that without more sales we face defeat.
Coal-fired power-plants belch deadly gasses,
contaminate the earth - as carbons fly
and poisons rain on skin and leaf and grasses
and scorching droughts turn fields to desert-dry.
Yet all the while our hope is shining high
above us: Sol, our star, our answer, Sun.
Its flames can turn our turbines. Will earth die?
Not if humans are wise and act as one.
*******************************************
Husband Otto works 16 hours a day on trying to save the world. If you would like to see about his inventions to make more efficient motors to reduce our energy load, go to his website.
As to harnessing the sun, he has proposed building solar-turbine power plants in such places as the Gran Desierto of northern Mexico, the Yuma desert of Arizona, the Sahara and Gobi deserts.
The power plants, of his improved design, would be the conventional steam turbines now used, with the schematic below showing a more economical design than any current solar plant. Low-cost parabolic trough concentrators would boil water. The wet steam would then be dried and superheated by the focused solar light of tracking heliostats.
As to harnessing the sun, he has proposed building solar-turbine power plants in such places as the Gran Desierto of northern Mexico, the Yuma desert of Arizona, the Sahara and Gobi deserts.
The power plants, of his improved design, would be the conventional steam turbines now used, with the schematic below showing a more economical design than any current solar plant. Low-cost parabolic trough concentrators would boil water. The wet steam would then be dried and superheated by the focused solar light of tracking heliostats.
This would significantly reduce dependence on fossil fuels. It would be a first step toward slowing the accelerating pace of global warming before it reaches the point of no return.
parabolic troughs for single axis trackingat Mahalia, India
26 comments:
Granny - remarkably insightful and well stated. Far too many people foolishly turn a blind eye to what we face, and with arrogant naivety, simply deny our situation.
Bravo Granny! I stand shoulder to shoulder with you.
Hear hear!
Well done! The presence of a solution - the sun - is welcome. My feeling is hopeful. Change's a-coming.
Wonderfully written.
it often amazes me how disconnected many people are to the seriousness we are facing as a planet. we can no longer ignore it or be frivolous about it -- it is a time for conscious living.
well said, granny...
Granny Smith, I am a sucker for sonnets: what a stately way to roll one out. Bless you.
You put it well. There's so much new tech that we can use - ceramic engines, ground effect vessels ...
Why don't we? Because no Big Biz will back it. It takes away our dependence on oil.
Our planet needs more Otto's! Here comes the sun granny! You are wonderful! :))
It's not often I slip into colloquials and cliches, but this time is more than appropriate!
Granny! This posting is a knock-out!
And your sonnet is such a grand way to peddle out circumstances that are not so grand. What a fantastic way to get attention!
Loved it all!
Gemma
That was well expressed Granny! Your man is one smart cookie and I'm truly impressed. I relax a bit more knowing people like him are searching for solutions. The politicians just want to win.
The first two stanzas are beautifully crafted and show us powerfully how serious this situation is. I understand the last stanza more after I read the afterword, for otherwise, I'm not sure I'm prepared for hope. But the beautiful technicality and commitment of Otto's work does give us hope. It's our job now to pressure the politicians to make it so! This deserves a wider audience!
Oh my! I wish you were MY granny! In fact, I would like to make you my honorary granny, if you would have me!!! Your words were the shiniest bit of brilliance I have seen in a while and I agree - hubby's work and your words deserve a wider audience!!!!
-amarettogirl
http://amarettogirl.squarespace.com/the-written-word
i wish with all my heart i could believe mankind was unselfish enough to come together as on one,, any front...
my hat is off to the gentleman such like your husband that truly care,, that spend their own time and money doing everything in their power to create a better,, cleaner,, more cost efficient way of life for us...
and in the same breath,, my heart bleeds,, as i feel that the powers that be will never allow such wonderful inventions see the light of day...
your husband may enjoy this link,, if he has not already seen it...
salt water powered car
wonderfully thought out. and i couldnt agree more. if only. :)
Absolutely phenomenal poem worthy of being published beyond the blog world. Huge reminder of the need to put aside ego for a larger purpose! I like to think here in British Columbia we are at the forefront of making a difference. Thanks to the likes of home spun David Suzuki. We also have an extensive recycle program, as of June there will be even more laws implemented around recycling!So much more needs to be done, but we are working in that direction! Impressive post, really loved the poem!
Hugs Sherrie
Oh and thank you Otto for your tenacity at working towards a cleaner planet!
Hugs Sherrie
Granny your words are clear and should be posted beyond our writing circle. Thank you for crafting such a beautiful post, and thanks to Otto.
Great stuff. I think it's about time that everyone faced up to the truth. We are slowly destroying our planet.
Superb sonnet, superb post.
good work - you and your husband sound like such conscious people. bless you for the work you both do.
Your poem is beautiful! And your husband's invention is impressive. Thanks for visiting my GORK.
It is amazing what people are coming up with to save resources. My hats off to BOTH of you! :)
Phyllis--I was anxious to read your take on this prompt and as usual I'm not disappointed. Love the last lines of your poem too. Here's to continuing the march toward hope and change!
xxx
Add me to your one.
Granny,
Beautiful sonnet. Amazing how such scary warnings can still sound so pretty on the tongue.
kudos to u for a post with a solution...
it is time for responsible living!!!
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