This comment by Dr. Noll came in today on
Got trash? Need disposal? Good luck.
I ran across the picture at the same time. -jsq

There are some interesting parallels/similarities in regard to the
discussion of trash and biomass.

There is no doubt mankind produces trash, as there is no doubt that we
need energy. What we keep forgetting, though, is an honest reflection
on how we can be less “waste-ful”, both in terms of energy and trash.

Thus, instead of reducing the amount of trash we create by

implementing
policies that encourage the 3 Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle) we encourage
MORE consumption … which leads to MORE trash … which leads to
overflowing landfills, strained resources, and polluted environments.

Similarly, instead of implementing policies that encourage energy
conservation and energy efficiency, and instead of utilizing clean
and renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and geothermal, we
invest in dirty biomass plants (some of which even burn trash) … so
that we may have MORE energy (even if it is currently not yet needed)
to continue our consumptive lifestyles … which then again produces
MORE trash, more pollution, and so on.

Oh Benjamin Franklin … if only you could see us now: Your “Want Not,
Waste Not” has for too long become a “Want lots, Waste lots.”

-Michael G. Noll