Keith McNeillJun 21, 2024
People worried about climate change are more supportive of renewables than opposed to fossil fuels. IMHO, that's a problem because we can't solve climate change without controlling fossil fuels
#GlobalCarbonFeeAndDividendPetition
https://theconversation.com/emotions-may-matter-more-than-facts-in-shaping-individual-support-for-renewable-energy-new-study-shows-230651?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=bylinetwitterbutton via @ConversationCA
Emotions may matter more than facts in shaping individual support for renewable energy, new study shows

Emotions help shape opinion on energy sources. Understanding this can allow us to design better zero-carbon policies.

The Conversation
Show threadDan Neuman 🇨🇦Jun 21, 2024

@KeithMcNeill I strongly disagree (if I'm reading you correctly). Once built, renewables are incredibly cheap to operate and will always underprice fossil fuels. Same with battery storage. The goal is to build out renewables as fast as humanly possible, not to create debilitating energy shortages. Yes an energy shortage spurs more renewables construction, but only at the cost of health for poor people who can't afford electricity or heat during an energy crunch. Renewables then come in too late to help them.

That said, I also strongly support a fee and dividend, but that's not what the "stop oil" crowd are saying.

Show threadKeith McNeillJun 21, 2024
@dan613 If you support a fee and dividend, you and I cannot be far apart in our beliefs.
To clarify, I do not question the accuracy of the research in the article.
However, if people think renewables alone will solve climate change quickly enough, they are mistaken. We also need to reduce our use of fossil fuels by aggressively pricing carbon.
Hopefully, the rebates in carbon fee and dividend would help shield poor people from any energy shortages.
Show threadKevin Leecaster

@KeithMcNeill @dan613
Here in the U.S. (and probably most countries) we only have elections every other year when we can elect legislators that would be willing to put a #PriceOnPollution or otherwise restrict fossil fuel use somehow.

So, in the interim in order to more quickly get people to decarbonize we've got to work on getting the fossil fuel consumers to stop buying them.

It should be socially unacceptable to burn fossil fuels.

Jun 21, 2024 at 11:16pmWeb