Smoking, Helicobacter pylori , and periodontitis

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Contraction and convergence: myth and realityEditor-The review of climate change issues in the BMJ of 10 June was comprehensive.On grounds of morality, the principle of contraction and convergence is unassailable. 1 In the real world, it is a pipe dream.It would work only by being enforcible, which implies an international policing authority with real teeth.Can we seriously believe that the United States, China, or Russia would submit to such an authority?Sadly there is no mileage in morality when affluent lifestyles are threatened.It is right to plead for changes in individual behaviour, but only the de-carbonising of energy at source will make a predictable and sustained impact on carbon dioxide emissions.The only long term route to this goal will be through the adoption of renewable energy technologies on two levels.Firstly, small scale to micro-generation systems are rapidly approaching market viability.Within five to 10 years, millions of homes could become cost effective mini-power stations linked to a local mini-grid under the umbrella of distributed generation.The Energy Saving Trust estimates that this sector could meet 40% of UK electricity demand. 2 Secondly, base load electricity could be provided by gigawatt scale technologies mostly drawing energy from wind, rivers, and seas.Tidal stream, tidal estuary, tidal impoundment, wave power, and offshore wind could more than match the output of today's nuclear power. 3 In the short term, "balancing power" to compensate for intermittency would be provided by combined cycle gas power plants.In the longer term, surplus electricity, which is an intrinsic problem with renewables, will be directed to producing hydrogen for grid connected gigawatt scale fuel cells in a symbiotic coupling with high energy density renewables installations.All this will, of course, depend on massive government investment, but so would nuclear energy.On the demand side, buildings are the biggest carbon culprits.The only effective answer, embracing both new and existing buildings, is the concept of the carbon budget, enforcible by law.This could also be adapted for transport.These have complex implications, perhaps for another time.

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