Sitting in the control room in the White House, President Biden has now to operate the various policy steering wheels for his transformation of the economy, which is a highly complex task. If the UK and IEA predictions are correct, he will see a surge in economic growth and, therefore, an increase in emissions. Bending the upwards moving CO2 curve to one that will go down to get to the 50 percent reduction in 2030 against the 2005 numbers will be challenging.
I walked by a nuclear power plant yesterday and took a picture of the nature around it. You can clearly see all the power lines. So, that makes me wonder how distribution will work once we switch to renewables. We already have a lot of hydro power in my area as well, but I never considered the entire grid and distribution as a problem (I don't really follow what is going on in Germany much - I guess I should). Something to look into.
Regarding air pollution. Again feeling really lucky to live where I do. In Switzerland pollution might be an issue during hot summer months or in winter when the fog does not lift for weeks. Other than that our air quality is good. I can't imagine what it must be like to live somewhere where simply breathing can be deadly.
I have no words for that law in Oklahoma ... But I love that you ended this newsletter on a positive note and how fitting that those first tulips you saw in Ottawa were orange.
Good morning Alexander, after I read your newsletter I had to come up for air and breathe deeply. I'm intrigued by the unknown facts that you penned down here (-:
I'm overwhelmed with the air pollution data, because in the home it's indoor air pollution that stares me in the face every day. Keeping a window cracked open as long the outside air is better . . .
Here are some lines from a book I'm reading about the myth of progress; "As air pollution goes up, so do the medical cost. The money spent to deal with these increased medical problems is registered as growth of the GDP. "(Which is one of the flaws in the GDP indicator.)~ by Tom Wessels, UPNE
We all need air to breathe so legislators who defend the higher emissions in motor vehicles are hurting not just the public but themselves. That reprehensible law that Oklahoma passed is not the only one. It seems Florida wants to pass one too. The idea that people can be mowed down while peacefully protesting is horrendous. It seems every idea lately that the GOP has does not make sense, from hindering voting to allowing protestors to be hurt. We may see economic growth after this virus but nothing good will really become accomplished until the polarization in this country is diminished.
I appreciate the renewed focus on clean air (both in this post, and also as evidenced as one of the few “positives” of the pandemic). Not only is it important to billions (all), it is also a more tangible way to rally people and social groups around environmental goals. People immediately feel, see, and literally breathe in that “metric”. It is a good focuser of action, I think. It’s something I think about a lot when I paint abstract art that relates to climate and environment. And yes to the Biden U-turn and New Deal analogy. ✅ I agree!
I wrote tonight about spending time in nature (it will be out soon), and I remember how much I noted the air quality when I lived in London in the early 1990s. Even though the air pollution levels had improved enormously compared to earlier decades, I still really enjoyed the clean air once I was out in nature. I wasn't aware of the health consequences in those days (the same days that in any pub you visited, you had to breathe the cigarette smoke of others, I still don't understand how the majority accepted this for so many years).
That's a lot to digest. Thank you!
I walked by a nuclear power plant yesterday and took a picture of the nature around it. You can clearly see all the power lines. So, that makes me wonder how distribution will work once we switch to renewables. We already have a lot of hydro power in my area as well, but I never considered the entire grid and distribution as a problem (I don't really follow what is going on in Germany much - I guess I should). Something to look into.
Regarding air pollution. Again feeling really lucky to live where I do. In Switzerland pollution might be an issue during hot summer months or in winter when the fog does not lift for weeks. Other than that our air quality is good. I can't imagine what it must be like to live somewhere where simply breathing can be deadly.
I have no words for that law in Oklahoma ... But I love that you ended this newsletter on a positive note and how fitting that those first tulips you saw in Ottawa were orange.
You are lucky to live in clean air; it adds two years to your life expectancy.
Wonderful essay, as usual, Alex! Thanks! So worth it.
Good morning Alexander, after I read your newsletter I had to come up for air and breathe deeply. I'm intrigued by the unknown facts that you penned down here (-:
I'm overwhelmed with the air pollution data, because in the home it's indoor air pollution that stares me in the face every day. Keeping a window cracked open as long the outside air is better . . .
Here are some lines from a book I'm reading about the myth of progress; "As air pollution goes up, so do the medical cost. The money spent to deal with these increased medical problems is registered as growth of the GDP. "(Which is one of the flaws in the GDP indicator.)~ by Tom Wessels, UPNE
Fraaie Tulips . . . 🌷🌷🌷 Thank you (-:
Thank you, and on the GDP it is relevant to note that nor are the medical costs paid by those who earn on the production of the air pollution
We all need air to breathe so legislators who defend the higher emissions in motor vehicles are hurting not just the public but themselves. That reprehensible law that Oklahoma passed is not the only one. It seems Florida wants to pass one too. The idea that people can be mowed down while peacefully protesting is horrendous. It seems every idea lately that the GOP has does not make sense, from hindering voting to allowing protestors to be hurt. We may see economic growth after this virus but nothing good will really become accomplished until the polarization in this country is diminished.
This level of polarization is quite rare in the modern western world. It hampers progress and happiness, and it is easier to create than to solve.
I appreciate the renewed focus on clean air (both in this post, and also as evidenced as one of the few “positives” of the pandemic). Not only is it important to billions (all), it is also a more tangible way to rally people and social groups around environmental goals. People immediately feel, see, and literally breathe in that “metric”. It is a good focuser of action, I think. It’s something I think about a lot when I paint abstract art that relates to climate and environment. And yes to the Biden U-turn and New Deal analogy. ✅ I agree!
I wrote tonight about spending time in nature (it will be out soon), and I remember how much I noted the air quality when I lived in London in the early 1990s. Even though the air pollution levels had improved enormously compared to earlier decades, I still really enjoyed the clean air once I was out in nature. I wasn't aware of the health consequences in those days (the same days that in any pub you visited, you had to breathe the cigarette smoke of others, I still don't understand how the majority accepted this for so many years).
Clean energy can reduce emissions from all the emission sources.
https://makeprojects.com/project/tidal-wave-energy-large-scale-conversion-technology?rc=pydvpeey
Yes, the tulips have perfect timing and color