The Goderich Signal-Star, 1979-09-06, Page 3GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 6,I979—PAGE 3
What's so safe about energy alternatives anvwa
BY
ISAAC ASIMOV
loges Balmer, who taught biochemistry of Boston
University School of Medicine for nine yoors, Is o
prolific writer of science fiction and books on
scientific subjects.
Ever since the Three Mile Island
accident, it is chic to be anti-nuclear
power.
The accident was_ a symphony of
mechanical failure and human error
and it was the 'Sort of thing that, if we
had listened to some of the doomcriers'
in advance, should have led to a
devastating melt-down, a massive
escape of radiation and hundreds of
thousands of deaths.
What did happen was that the plant
was put out of commission and there
was minor leakage of radiation. All the
failure and ,error resulted in no melt-
down, no deaths and no evidence of
radiation damage.
That, however, did not stop everyone
from calling it a nuclear
"catastrophe."
What would they have called it if
someone had been killed? What would
they have called it if 50,000 people had
been killed? With "catastrophe" used
atch^mundesaiif 5l iATOt"c9'll' s. 81F fids
50,000?'
Automobiles kill 50,000 Americans in
a year; in fact, they kill 50,000
Americans every year, with additional
' undreds of thousands maimed and
hurt. In the time that nuclear power
plants have
operation, the
850,000 deaths;
deaths.
If a zero -death accident raises a loud
clamor for an end to the nuclear age,
why is it that 850,000 deaths do not
induce even a whisper in •favor of an
end to the automobile age?
To be sure, automobiles are con-
venient and useful,' and mean millions
of jobs. Everyone drives an automobile
or walks in the neighborhood of moving
automobiles and is philosophic about
the possibilities.
In other words, 50,000 deaths a year
are an acceptable price to Americans
for the convenience of automobiles. In
fact, when the government tries to
force seat -belts and air -bags on
automobile drivers, loud is the outcry.
They don't want even that much in-
convenience; they'd rather have the
deaths.
been in commercial
score is: automobiles,
nuclear power plants, 0
venient. Perhaps they are unnecessary - Coal? Everyone's gung-ho on coal
and we might as well do without them. now. When you meet the next person
Without nuclear power, what do we who tells you that we've got more coal
do for energy? , in the ground than the Arabs have oil,
Oil? A great many Americans do -not ask him if he plans on a career as a coal
believe that there is an oil shortage, so miner.
every year they use more and more Coal mining is probably the worst job
gasoline to move more and more miles. in the world, day in and day out., I don't
In 1969, we were self-sufficient in oil; in 'know how many miners have died in
1973, we imported 10 percent of what mining accidents, and how many have
we used; in 1979 we import 40 percent had their lives shortened by ' lung
of what we use. A great many disease, and how many have just lived -
America.ns don't even know that we on, miserable and poor, but the
import oil. numbers are huge.
In 1942, there was an oil shortage, but If we are going to try to make coal
we were at war. In 1973, there was an answer for our major energy needs,
oil shortage even- without war, but we're going: to need more coal miners
there was an embargo. In 1979, we are than, ever, and they will, very rightly,
at the edge of an oil shortage even demand proper compensation and
without war and without an embargo. proper safety measures and won't dig
We're in hock to Saudi Arabia now coal till they get them. And they'll have
and pretty 'soon we'll be in hock to us by the throat, and coal prices will go
Mexico, too. The producers raise the right into the stratosphere.
price at will, and general inflation If we switch to machinery and strip -
follows, as does a worsening outflow of mine the nation, we destroy the land. if
American capital and a continuing we try to preserve the land, that puts
decline in the value of the American coal prices in the stratosphere again. As the carbon dioxide content of the
dollar. Once we do have the coal out, we atmosphere P goesup (even slightly),
., If we continue to tell ourselves have to transport it, since coal won't go the average temperature of the -planet planet
there's no oil shortage and continue through a pipeline as oil does. But in will rise throe. h .wh-
WHAT OPTIOrNSte'� f A , a..c4y,�>e ,. r «o d - a
?T° tar, x_ -.M . .:s._ _._ ^, _,. °..: i t ,w � ��?I ,:c J91it ttra itt dtf ''.2 t�-- -
- � ._ _, ' �ec._:, .. • e cTimaie--wrtC.
dbmtthrnlFwe won t: railroad fall apart, so we can't carry it change, with
The thing is, then, that perhaps If we dismantle our nuclear power that way. g possibly deadly effect.
nuclear power plants aren't con- plants and run out of oil, what next?Wr' mit ht, of course, liquefy coal on insThe icecapaisngs ythe taseaolelvelltfrom
0
the spot, and pump the Synthetic oil we year to year and drowning the coastal
produce through the pipelines. That, lands of the world,
however, takes a lot of water (and So what do we do?
energy) -,and out West, where the best + Recognize that everything costs;
coal is, there isn't much water. there are no free lunches.
If we solve all these problems and + Use less energy.
burn lots and lots of coal, that means Stop energy waste, of which the
air pollution and death by lung cancer United States is more guilty than any
and other diseases. It even means a other nation in the world.
release of radioactivity, since Control the size of the population;
radioactive materials, exist, in traces, reduce it, in, fact. Right now the planet
in coal. There will be more radioac- is being asked to support more people
tivity released in this way than exudes than it can safely manage. Those who
from nuclear power plants. • call themselves "right -to -life" are
If we clean the coal (lots of energy, really supporting ,,"right -to -mass -
and upgoes the suicide."
price) we will still -l- Recognize that there is only one
produce carbon dioxide when we burn
it, The carbon dioxide content of the
route to s. f; ty - supporting technology.
atmosphere has been going up slowly
but steadily all through this century
because we are burning more and more
fuel at a faster and faster rate, and
because we are destroying the forests
that are our most efficient devices for
removing this carbon dioxide.
Whate - source of energy we use
must Ile rade as safe as possible, and
newer .'' d safer sources of energy
must be tapped. Only a thriving
technology can do this.
What not to do?
Well, don't convince yourself there
are easy .answers. Don't think you can
destroy the nuclear age and still have
all the energy, you want for your
luxurious way of life.
a
-ea°tr -
'cdlscard'the atom' and pick"'up coal and "
be safe. You won't be. -The
Philadelphia Inquirer. Sunday, April
15, 1979.
FACES program is successful
The FACES '79
.:40; F'�'program has come to an
end, leaving organizers
hopeful for continued
success next summer.
FACES (Family and
Children's Excursion
Services) operated out of
the Family and
Children's Services
building in Goderich
under the direction of
program co-ordinators,
Pauline Hall and
Margaret Foran, who
were hired with the aid of
an Experience '79 grant.
With the aid of 20 local
teenage volunteers and
monetary support from
the community, 214
children were able to take
part in the ' FACES_
program, up con-
siderably from the 90
children who took part
the previous summer.
Sixty-nine children
participated in five week-
long overnight camps at
Point Farms Provincial
_.. --yr: -::,Park and Parkhill
Conservation Area under
the, supervision of
Pauline and volunteers.
1
Guaranteed
Investment
Certificates
(f3%
4
W.E. (TED) WILLIAMS
524-7102 or 524-7b65
These camps . included
different age groups,
including one for children
five to eight years of age.
They were a big success
and 'provided good ex-
perience for both the
children and the volun-
teers, says Pauline.
Margaret involved' 75
children in a variety of
special activity day
camps throughout the
county.
Irl addition to the
overnight camps and day
camps, 70 children were
sent to other organized
camps, including a one -
parent family camp.
The FACES program
was open to all childrenin
the county, with many
Fairgoers
can win
Some lucky fairgoer
will'drive home the most
valuable single prize ever
offered as a Western Fair
gate award -- a 1980
Pontiac Phoenix hat-
chback sedan. The sporty
front -wheel -drive car
comes equipped, with
automatic transmission, ---
whitewall tires, custom
exterior and a host of
extras.
Second and third prize
ticket .holders will each
be eligible" to win a new
Pontiac Acadia,n,, hat-
chback sedan. '
Owneri'.
ofsmade,
6USthCSSeS...
weprovade;
Financia1assictance
* Managementcounseling (CASE)
* Management traznzng
* Information ongovernment
programsforbuszness
'Can we helpyou?
See our Representative
RANDY BROWN/ BOB FURTNEY
at: The Bedford Hotel
Goderich, Ontario
EVERY TUESDAY
on: (Next Visit: Tues., September 11th)
FEDERAL BUSINESS
DEVELOPMENT BANK
(Branch Office Address) For prior information
call 271.5650 (collect) or write 1036
Ontario Street, Stratford; Ontario.
'
being referred by the
Public Health Unit and
Family and Children's
Services.
With donations of $3,947
from the public to the
Special Benefits Summer
Camp Fund, the FACES
.program almost paid for
itself.
In 1978 the Family and
Children's Services camp
program only included
sending children to
already organized camps
as well as a ,few day
camps. With the success
of this year's FACES
program, it is hoped that
paid staff for the
program can be in -
,creased next year. The
program will also be
looking for more
volunteer drivers.
Overall, organizers are
very pleased with the
success of the agency's
newest Community
summer program.
ANNOUNCEMENT
OPENING SOON
HURON MUSIC
STUDIO
at
61 HAMILTON STREET
GODERICH
(Formerly Music Unlimited)
For all your music supplies, music lessons.
Watch for our Grand Opening.
JOIN WEIGHT WATCHERS NOW.
WHAT HAVE YOU GOT TO LOSE?
thought 1 was born to be chubby. But on the Weight
Watchers Program...you don I have fo stay that way!
Why tkr. Progrnrr, i,o so. , osst,H r aoSO Weight
Wa' her', I,p ' ns ,'o r well ,rob! n throe dH.--
enr
Weight Watchers allows you all this for lunch. It
more than just carrot sticks!
,rsr there the famous at r g Plan) Sr.I t11,.t,.
signed to help you lest' wr'rrjht vvh,le •„f- v r U ,
',Niel), of foods' Three meols 0 cloy plss, sr,r.f: ksr
You can also do the PEPSTEP'" Personal Exercise
Plan It s terrific'
1 'I„r,ow., d I,ngn.•,r, ,. eplonlOphcnnl
if P';T1 wrh rh,• Ee tog Plen
and y ,...I,t '.. ,,r ,,,r.,gl.r,, 4HI„ 6r,teri
OVER 330 CLASSES
IN SOUTHERN ONTARIO
Weight Watchers rs fun. It s jUSI learning to eat semi
bly, the way thin people eof. You ought fo fry it.
rh,rd the Per sono) Arbors Pion ypr P ,r• ',rw q
be in control How IO fo, o r hollr'nrlr,.. 'ho' to, ;;I v x
to overeat How to slyly slender
WEIGHT
WATCHERS
The Authority
YOU'RE INVITED. IT'S OPEN HOUSE
SEPTEMBER 10th TO' 22nd; 1979
Visitors are welcome at the participating Weight Watchers°
class nearest them. Attend with no obligation to join.
(Weight Watchers Program and orientation for members only)-
GODERICH
ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION
56 KINGSTON RD.
WED. 7:30 P.M.
GRAND. BEND
GRAND BEND
UNITED CHURCH
MAIN ST.
WED. 7:30 P.M.
NEW CLASS
KINGSBRIDGE
ST. JOSEPH COMM. SCHOOL
TUES. 7:30 P.M.
CLASSES START SEPT. 11Th
FOR MEETING INFORMATION CALL LONDON 455-5100
WIGHT WAirHIRs' ANI® ARE Hlr,Ib II 410 TRAiNMARkt, 15 WIIr,HI WAIT HI N` IN II RNA '111NA1 141
Un4,IA5r,II N ''WI 6,Hl WAIT RI RS INIIRN5 I IONAI IP,
5,
Hwy. No. 21 South
GODERICH
with final markdowns of the season!
SKIRTS & PANTS $1 O.00
REMAINING T-SHIRTS $(j,00
BLOUSES & JACKETS $13.00
0