Essay by Eric Worrall
More “proof” that renewables are the cheapest form of energy?
The pioneering carbon dioxide moonshot that could help tackle climate change
Jul 5, 2023
- Time is running out to tackle the climate crisis – we need urgent solutions.
- In the spirit of the moon landing, action is needed to limit global warming.
- Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage could help achieve net-zero.
On 12 September 1962, in a football stadium in Houston, President John F. Kennedy set in motion one of the most daring feats of innovation in modern history. Despite opposition from environmentalists, civil rights leaders and even his own brother, Kennedy’s “We choose to go to the moon” address unified a divided America grown weary from war and fearful for the fate of the nation.
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Today, with war returned to Europe and the global economy reeling from COVID-19 we are once again anxious about the fate of the world and doubtful about our ability to change it, not least when it comes to the biggest challenge we face today – climate change. A World Economic Forum surveyfound that while 85% of people believe it is extremely (or very) important to address climate change, but only 40% of North Americans and 31% of Europeans are optimistic about our ability to do so. And there is ample reason for scepticism.
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Our remedy – to reduce emissions as fast as possible – is not enough. If we are to stabilise Earth’s climate by the end of this decade we need new moonshots.
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Read more: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/07/pioneering-carbon-dioxide-moonshot-tackle-climate-change/
All this comes hot on the heels of a reminder that Swiss Re estimates US $196 trillion is required to fix the climate crisis.
I can’t remember the exact number, but I’m pretty sure the actual US Apollo Mission moonshot didn’t cost $196 trillion, even in inflation adjusted dollars.
Don’t forget folks, renewables are the cheapest form of energy /sarc.
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To paraphrase a quote attributed to former US Senator Everette Dirksen:
A moonshot here, a moonshot there, and pretty soon you’re talking about real money.
“Biden set his ‘moonshot’ on cancer”
— https://www.npr.org/2023/02/15/1157225581/cancer-biden-cure-research-moonshot-institute-funding-bipartisan-sotu#
Mission Economy – A moonshot guide to changing capitalism by Mariana Mazzucato
— https://marianamazzucato.com/books/mission-economy
“Climate change is the moonshot of this generation” says Mary Robinson, former president of Ireland— https://www.siliconrepublic.com/innovation/mary-robinson-climate-change
Many other examples can be found . . . all spoken with little regard for associated costs to citizens/taxpayers, of course!
In the 1950’s, we knew how to go to the moon. The difficulty was in perfecting rocket motors powerful enough to get us there.
The problem with curing cancer is that with the exception of a few types of cancer, we don’t know how to cure it. Declaring a “moonshot” to cure cancer at this time would be like declaring a goal of getting to the moon while the Wright brothers were still designing their first Flyer.
Story tip?
Damaged electric cars ‘quarantined’ over fears they will explode
Probably not the moon-shot they have in mind.
From your link:
“Just two damaged electric cars can fit into the same space that would otherwise fit 100 petrol or diesel cars, under current the DVLA and Transport Department guidelines.”
This doesn’t bode well for the future of lithium-powered EV’s.
How does one determine if their battery is damaged enough to require taking it in for repair? Does everyday driving cause unnoticed damage to the batteries?
I would not buy an EV under the conditions we have today.
If every fender bender requires a trip to the repair shop in order for your battery to be checked out, that’s going to add a lot to the maintenance costs of electric vehicles.
Modern cars tend to require attention after a fender bender. Things like collision avoidance sensors and blind spot monitoring modules may require adjustment after a minor collision. Being out of alignment by even a couple of degrees can give false readings.
We need a Manhattan project to reduce CO2 and fortunately, we already had one. It was called the Manhattan Project. Nuclear fission solves all our energy problems. All you climate activists can now go home.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvD7OHEV5TM
Hah! Many are curious to see how nuclear fission (power generation) will be the source of energy that supports aircraft and railroad passenger and cargo transportation.
Oh, you want to talk about compact nuclear fission reactors? . . . yeah, like that’s “just around the corner” . . . still!
Knew they were shooting the moon. Nice of WEF to admit it.
” WEF: “We Need Moonshots” to Solve the Climate Crisis ”
Do they mean moonshine shots?…
You can do a lot of things if economics is not in the equation.
I’d love to know which “think” tank invented the data that 85% of people think that solving global “warming” is either important or very important.
Every survey I have seen has people rate their concerns, global warming always comes in dead last.