Carbon footprint of GRP yacht

[Richard10002]

So, if all that is true, we're not talking big numbers in relative terms.

It is also fairly clear that any action needs to have the US on board.

I dont know what difference it could make, but every house/property could be "forced/motivated" to have a windmill and some solar panels. (we're being forced to have double glazing and condensing boilers, so it wouldnt be a big deal).

There could be a commitment to "building" forests

When Bush goes and, hopefully, the opposition get in, the pressure from the oil barons may not be as effective, and there may be a commitment to the Kyoto Agreement. 10% of the US emissions is a big portion of the global overproduction.

Nuclear power - is it safe, or is it merely postboning the problem to another generation... I dont know.

Anyway... it doesnt seem beyond redemption, as long as there is a will..... and what we can probably conclude is that the carbon footprint of a GRP yacht is a mere bagatelle.

Also, I dont recall anyone suggesting what its' footprint might be.

 

[Ships_Cat]

On a personal note, I resent the fact that USA (& Australia ?) stick two fingers up at the problem

I think you will find that is a claim eagerly fostered by the Kyoto tax and carbon credit (a tax with another name) CO2 away fanatics (and USA haters).

For example, Australia is far more advanced and committed to the problem in material ways than my own country which eagerly signed Kyoto and until recently patted itself on the back because of its commitment to taxing carbon out of the atmosphere. It has recently cancelled all tax moves and announced that other ways are needed eg research and investment, not taxing - although I am no fan of our own socialist equivalent of TB at least they are backing away from the surface pleasantary approach towards a reality based one.

Even a small check on what is happening in USA shows much in hand (I suspect that they have a far bigger investment in technology based solutions than UK or rest of Europe have) despite the interpretations yank haters like to place on the statements of its politicians.

John

 

[BruceDanforth]

Well if a solar panel takes, say, 25 years to pay for itself then how is that reconciled with the fact that they invariably seem to be knackered within 5?

 

[misterg]

[ QUOTE ]
Also, I dont recall anyone suggesting what its' footprint might be.

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't know that anyone has ever specified what a "carbon footprint" comprises.

Glass fibre 0.5 Te CO2/Te (Ref 1)
Polyester ~4 Te CO2/Te (Ref 2) (fibre, not resin)
Aluminium ~17 Te CO2/Te (Ref 3)
Iron ~1 Te CO2/Te (Ref 4)

Bav 33 displacement~5.4 Te, ballast 1.4 Te

Assume 2Te iron (Keel + engine) = 4Te CO2 (double figure above to allow for re-casting)
Say 400 kg Aluminium = 6.8 Te CO2
Say 1 Te of wood (CO2 neutral)
Leaves 2Te GRP & Plastic

If all GRP at 2.5:1 resin:glass means
~0.5 Te glass = 0.25 Te CO2
~1.5 Te Polyester = 6 Te CO2

Totals ~17 Tonnes of CO2. This will be an underestimate because it doesn't take account of the energy in processing and fabrication of the various components, but I bet it's pretty close. This is 4.6 tonnes Carbon equivalent - about what your household will emit in the next 18 months.

Is that a footprint?

More than ever before, Douglas Adams' advice is relevant:

<span style="color:red">DON'T PANIC</span>

Bed.

Andy

 

[misterg]

I suspect NZ is a couple of years down the road that the UK is heading for, and has realised some of the follies in the "Chicken Licken" approach. (If you know what I mean - blind panic, and action for the sake of being seen to do something). Unfortunately, the pronouncements of septic politicians - sorry president - are the only thing making the news here, and it doesn't make good listening. Certainly not conducive to agreeing a responsible global strategy (IMHO).

Andy

 

[Richard10002]

[ QUOTE ]
Well if a solar panel takes, say, 25 years to pay for itself then how is that reconciled with the fact that they invariably seem to be knackered within 5?

[/ QUOTE ]

No idea..... but the goal would be to bring the price/cost down, (wonder what a solar panels carbon footprint is?)

perhaps if everyone had to have one, the mass market and competition would bring the price down to a commodity price?

ditto windmills?

 

[Richard10002]

[ QUOTE ]
Bav 33 displacement~5.4 Te, ballast 1.4 Te

Totals ~17 Tonnes of CO2. This is 4.6 tonnes Carbon equivalent - about what your household will emit in the next 18 months.

Is that a footprint?

Bed.



[/ QUOTE ]

Impressive. Sleep well.

 

[Gunfleet]

<<Anyone any idea how it compares to a car?>>
Corners better than the Vauxhall Victor I had in the early seventies. Starts better. Obviously better brakes. Would probably make similar time between here and Cowes but be slightly slower if Coventry was the destination.