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Joined 3 years ago
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Cake day: August 27th, 2023

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  • the issue is that this would only replace oil for electricity generation. They also need fuel for driving around cars and goods etc. To replace that too you don’t just need a lot more solar panels, converters etc but also a whole lot of very expensive electric cars and trucks. At very least a lot of electric (cargo) bicycles. Anyway, the amount of $$ needed to replace oil and not feel the blockade is probably a lot higher than $8bn.

    I agree with the core of the article tho: wealthy developed countries paying poor countries peanuts amounts of money (in the big scheme of things) to transition almost fully to renewables is a no-brainer quick-win in a save the planet logic. Unfortunately most politicians and their electorate are very stuck in a geopolitical ‘my country yeah!!!’ logic and can’t grasp the idea that gifting a few billions worth of solar panels to a dirt poor nation actually benefits everyone in the world.

    If the blockade ends, China steps in and sells them a big fat Belt and Road loan + a load of solarpanels, windturbines, EVs instantly. But they won’t step in as long as it’s a ‘hot’ situation. It’s a shame. You could even reason that it would be, long term, probably a lot more worth while for USA-taxpayers to fund solar on Cuba instead of funding the military ships, ammunition and sailors to blockade the countries’ ports. Just die already mr Trump, what’s taking you so long?





  • freebee@sh.itjust.workstoFuck Cars@lemmy.worldDitch SUV's
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    7 days ago

    It’s exactly why I just don’t understand how these trucks are getting so fucking popular in Europe including in Germany! There’s been a culture for many decades of the multifunction vans, Volkswagen multivan but also mercedes Sprinter, that one fiat model etc. They are incredibly versatile yet manageable vehicles. You need a bed to go camping : sure. Need to move a couch: no problem. Need to go somewhere with up to 7 people: gotcha! Park in tight spot in underground garage: mostly no issue… Compare with the stupid RAM etc trucks any of those vans on anything except “coolness” and the vans will always come out on top! They need an extra trailer to move a bicycle for gods sake. RAM and similar are just an enormous waste of space and fuel by comparison. These damn trucks need to be forbidden in EU asap. Minimum bonnet height/angle/visibility would be a good way to get there.




  • That application was in 1987. A lot has changed. In 1987 Spain only just joined (1986). There has been for a very long time dispute about the Western Sahara, occupied by Morocco and from where a lot of previous inhabitants/resistance have since lived in Spain. It was at that time and I think it still is also just an easy excuse to not include an officially Muslim country. And a Moroccan border would be a lot harder to guard against than current borders. Little of this kind of stuff with Canada, they’d just blab about historical ties and historical times requiring historical steps etc and make it happen. Biggest obstacle would be Hungary, USA, Russia, not geography.