Exxon CEO Darren Woods says the quiet part out loud: The problem with renewable energy sources is that they “don't generate above-average returns for Exxon's shareholders.” — @pluralistic https://pluralistic.net/2024/03/06/exxonknew/
The sun generates virtually limitless and free energy, with much of it available in the form of wind and tides. And we’re already well underway to harnessing that energy.
@mitchw @pluralistic Tidal power comes from the moon's gravitational potential and Earth's rotation. It has no particular relationship with solar radiation.
Wind, yes.
@nitpicking The tidal bit was something I probably added, and probably @pluralistic should not be blamed for it.
Maybe it was "wind and waves" — sounds nicer too
"What is wave energy? Waves are formed when wind blows over the surface of water…"
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/03/wave-energy-ocean-electricity-renewables/
@mitchw @pluralistic
There was a brilliant interview ystdy on the Australian ABC (radio) about renewables v nuclear power. A Canadian expert, who has had years working for US nuclear research and industry, said that in her opinion Australia would be best to steer clear of nuclear.
1. We have so much sunshine, so capitalise on that. Plus battery research is getting better and better for storage.
2. Full size reactors take 20+ years to build and cost BILLIONS not millions.
3. We dont have 20 yrs time to wait. Solutions need to be found NOW.
4. Small modular reactors aren't practical for national supply.
5. New nuclear infrastructure is needed to bring power into homes and businesses bc it ISN'T compatible with existing fossil fuel power station infrastructure.
So Dutton.. get real.
#nuclearpower #renewables #fossilfuelphaseout #nuclearenergy #Dutton #auspol #auspol2024 #greenenergy
@mitchw @pluralistic
Perhaps there are ways to reduce the returns from oil and gas, toward average or below?
@mitchw @aral @pluralistic This is also the problem with nuclear energy for them, in a sense. “Nukes are too expensive” actually means “we can’t build them fast enough to start producing revenue within two quarters.”
@MisuseCase @mitchw @aral @pluralistic the Georgia nuclear power plant fiasco also points to “we’ve spent so long making money off moving money and busting out existing productive companies that we can’t build shit no more”
@mitchw @pluralistic @aral Well, ok, then. Time to nationalize energy production. As a social good, like healthcare, it shouldn't be a profit center, except at the bleeding edge of innovation.
Of course, this won't happen in the USA because we believe that everything can and should be exploited.
Also, I'm having a particularly shit week so my typical skepticism is at least temporarily replaced by cynicism and pure rage. Of course, I put this on the internet because that's always a good idea. /s
@mitchw @pluralistic what a wonderful thing it would be to make Oil Company CEOs go the way of Buggy Whip factory owners
@mitchw @pluralistic We can’t monitize it, Whaaaaa!!!!!
Former Exxon top DC lobbyist Keith McCoy “confessed to everything: funding fake grassroots groups and falsifying the science – he even names the senators who took his bribes. McCoy singled out Manchin for special praise, calling him "a kingmaker" and boasting about the "standing weekly calls" Exxon had with Manchin's office.”
#ClimateEmergency #ExxonKnew ##ClimateCriminals #WestVirginia #USPol #Manchin #Renewables
@FerdiMagellan @mitchw @pluralistic Manchin himself is a great reason to not live in WV.
@FerdiMagellan @mitchw @pluralistic @jackyan Joe Manchin is a decrepit piece of shite. I hate him. Glad he’s gone from the Dems.
@mitchw We absolutely must repeal the corporate law regarding fiduciary obligations to maximize profit for shareholders. It is doing incalculable damage to our society and our planet.