I have earlier penned about the possibility of a “Geothermal induced quake in Beijing” (Mar 2008). Since then, there had been other quakes and now ongoing drought threatening millions of lives in China. The dilemma of trying to balance the need for cheap energy and water resources is a difficult line to tread. For Geothermal energy, the present argument for those in this business (of making money) is that it sort of provide outlet for the buildup of volcanic pressure to prevent a giant earthquake. But how true is this. You see, the problem is that most Geothermal project require huge amount of underground water tables or reservoirs. These underground water tables or reservoirs also serve as a buffer to cushion the tectonic plate movement in minor quakes. Now these minor quakes will magnify thousands of times in these dried up crevices or fractured plates. Ground will collapse easily in the vicinity of such projects. Ironically, the water tables are also the source of water for the people for both drinking, farming and importantly, the sustainability of land.
So we should at least be mindful where our buildings or projects should be sited too. So the short-term gain in energy will inadvertently see the long-term desertification of land and another destroyed habitat. This is comparable to the landslide in Leyte, Philippines, near the Geothermal project that had apparently “puzzled” scientists. I am puzzled why the scientist are puzzled. Aren’t they scientists or quack scientist working for the business ventures with vested interest?
Anyway, against the incessant blackmail via a global recession, people are doing lots and lots of stupid things for their survival or to look successful. That is because we fail to use our heart and rely on whatever brain we have (or have not developed over the years). Study and working smart may make you seemed like a smart person. But you know that you aren’t.
Cheers!
Heal the World
Mikey
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