Hasbeen.

Why do you let comparisons with the past blind you to the potential improvements of the future? The pollution from fossil fuel technology was undoubtedly a fair trade off when it was introduced, but we have better alternatives available now.

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Is Mise,

AIUI they're very high for total particulates, but quite low for PM2.5. Exact figures are difficult to calculate because it usually depends on a human shovelling coal.

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Raycom,

Weren't most of SA's diesel generators installed in response to the 2001 blackouts?

I am heartened by the idea that there is progress in the field of 'non-fossil fuel' energy. However coming from an engineering background I am concerned that there appear to be 'cracks' in the renewables development. Referring to the automotive and transport industry, I have always maintained, and still do, that if can't re-charge my cars batteries in approx the same time as I do now with fossil fuel, I'm not interested. Also if I have to replace my 'engine' (battery pack) every ten years, again, not interested. I have already experienced first hand where a Toyota Prius was being 'shopped' for sale. It needed a new battery pack. No one wanted it. It went to scrap. Which brings me to another flow on. If the cost of a new EV will be between ten and fifteen thousand dollars then I would start thinking about it. But I'm not paying these stratospheric prices for one. I will not fund the development of anything. If you want it you borrow or do whatever to make it happen. If an EV maker is so confident their product will sell then he has no need to justify his sale price as 'the high initial purchase price is for development costs. The price will come down with the more cars we sell'. Well guess what I ain't becoming some kind of investor in a car company. No I think there are too many people with personal agenda. Whist I recognise there is 'pollution' out there, I reject the level of threat it poses both today and in the future. I can see the bad side of 'localised' pollution, but not the over-all and wide spread implications.

Currently Aidan there is no future, or even potential future alternate energy.

Kid yourself if you like, but other than hydro, there is no existing alternate energy that is even vaguely viable.

Guess what, I can't tow a damn behind my car or even my tractor.

Now, Now, Hasbeen....you shouldn't discourage the little chillun from dreaming their dreams of a Eutopia where everyone can lead the good life by simply being wired to their phone and discussing all the wonderful things that are going to be developed by others.
We live in a win/ win society nowadays....no struggle is necessary...just put on a mask to protect yourself from the nasty air borne particles and prance off to the Clipsal 500 and breathe in that rarefied air you've been saving yourself for.
Everyone has ideas and plans to extend their non productive lives and save the earth except that mother nature usually has plans of her own.

Aidan, current consumers, e.g. supermarkets, are installing diesel generators. If you were a supermarket owner in SA, you would be foolish not to.

Authors should be aware of the illegal teats conducted by the US EPA on humans to try to prove P2.5 mortality - without success.