The United States continues to lag behind leading countries in pushing aggressive environmental programs to reduce pollutants and garbage. Two stories this week highlight the sharp and disappointing contrast. In Sweden, the government has made an incredible leap in reducing household garbage and appears close to attaining the impossible: a zero waste national objective for landfills. Currently, less than one percent of Sweden household garbage ends up in landfills. In the meantime, Germany (which continues to outstrip the U.S. on green policies while continuing strong economic growth) has announced that it will add one million electric cars on the road by 2030 and expects to drop greenhouse emissions from transportation by 26 percent by 2030 from 1990 levels.
Sweden has had astonishing success in reducing landfill waste which is notoriously bad for the environment from residual ground and air pollution as well as the failure to fully recycle trash. The Swedish government has pushed the concept of garbage as a commodity for recycling or fuel production. Swedish families now Produce just 461 kilograms of waste which is slightly below the half-ton European average, but the country does an amazing job in managing the trash.
One of the biggest reasons for the low level of landfill use is a law that I have often spoken about in some countries. In Sweden, producers are responsible for handling all costs related to collection and recycling or disposal of their products. This gives companies an incentive to reduce packaging and increase recycling.
As for Germany, we have previously discussed the incredible achievements of that country in alternative energy sources. Merkel’s government has now announced the plan to have the million electric cars on the road by 2020 and set the 26 percent drop as the goal. Germany is making these achievements while maintaining one of the strongest economies in the world.
These laws of course have the obvious value of not just reducing greenhouse gases but reducing pollution and improving public health. The garbage rules also force greater cost internalization for manufacturers rather than to allow them to simply externalize the costs of packaging and pollution.
This whole thing is all about subsidies. How about we stop subsidizing Europe with our military, then we can truly see how well their socialist ideals work internally and with each other. Their past shows that they usually don’t get along to well. Lets stop subsidizing Darren’s solar panels. Let’s stop subsidizing electric cars. Lets stop subsidizing corn, wind, and all forms of energy. Lets also remove the red tape from truly innovative base load technologies like LFTR’s.
As for electric cars, it always amazes me that people only focus on the usual faults, charging time, distance, cost etc. But to me the real issue is, this. If you were to take a snapshot of all of the cars on the road in the U.S. at one time, you could view that as a unit of energy on the road. Most of the cars of that unit of energy are powered by oil based fuels. Now say over night we could convert the unit of energy to all electric vehicles, do you really think we have that unit of energy just sitting waiting on the grid? And what do you think it going to do to your electric bill for your house?
The only technology for vehicles that has gotten me excited is the idea of the Thorium reactor car concept. It would be true independence. So much so, that you could power your house with it when you got home each day. I think the only way it will happen though is for a complete collapse of our economy to the point where we will need to rebuild which will free true innovation from the nanny state. Just imagine the wright Brothers today, can you honestly say all of our regulations would have let them succeed?
p.s.
I quit driving and sold my last car in 2002.
Why?
Doing my part to reduce…
Carbon Footprint Calculator
http://www.nature.org/greenliving/carboncalculator/
http://www.wcsh6.com/story/news/local/portland/2014/06/17/portland-city-council-passes-a-5-cent-fee-for-grocery-bags-and-a-ban-on-styrofoam-food-and-drinks-containers/10653545/
Darren
It’s an eye opener…
(It’s just the first ten minutes, pts 2-8 are up to the viewer)
🙂
http://www.kare11.com/story/news/local/2014/05/23/minneapolis-approves-ban-on-styrofoam-cups-containers/9513939/ Many communities are banning styrofoam.
Perhaps we should put aside the emphasis on oil as the only means of reducing waste, at least for awhile. Waste begins with us, so let’s look at what Joe Public can do about reducing waste.
I suggest we return to a time prior to the mid-50’s when very few products where shrink packed. Products were sold by the piece and not the pound. Sales clerks helped the consumer, as some items were behind the counter (would mean more jobs). People used glass instead of plastic and glass bottles were recycled by disinfecting and reused again.
In those days, people lived closer to work and often walked to work or rode bikes. Restaurant food actually was wrapped in paper or foil and put in a “doggy” bag (paper bag), not styrofoam containers.
People often brought their own cups to meetings instead on having styrofoam cups. The butcher shop wrapped meat and fish in paper, not a styrofoam plate and seran wrap.
We can all participate and insist that our city have each household separate glass, plastic, paper, and other waste for special pickup.
Can you imagine if we all turned on the water when not in use, fixed leaky faucets and sprinkling systems quickly, and turned off the lights and appliances when not in use.
Why do we all wait for the government to tell us what to do? We could do it on our own and get our community to be more eco-conscience by getting involved in our community.
When I saw the title of the video Max-1 supplied titled “Who killed the electric car” I honestly just couldn’t bring myself to watch it. Why?
It sounded to me like a video that would bring up some very interesting new electric cars to the world only to be usurped by some big corporate interest protecting their own stranglehold and then threaten this new industry.
Because of my presumption, I couldn’t watch it because I knew if it was this type of video I would become angered and it wouldn’t be until the next morning that I would finally let it go.
Once the range, charging time, and purchase cost factors are inline with gasoline powered vehicles I’ll venture that at least half of all cars sold will be electric.
Right now I don’t want to pay $55K for a Tesla because it is much more than what I am willing to spend on a vehicle. If it was half the cost I would buy one. And, it would be the first car I ever purchased that was off-the-lot new. The people who know me personally would never believe such a thing is possible, considering the car I drive most is a 21 year old Subaru with 411,000 miles on it. (of course the Subaru would have to give up the ghost before I bought another car, but hopefully I can get another 100K out of it first.)
My reasons for a future electric car? (not necessarily in order of importance)
1) Helps the environment
2) My contribution takes money from unsavory countries that abuse rights of their people
3) Gas costs too much
4) Tax protest. My state’s gasoline and car tab taxes are ridiculous. Sure it pays for roads and all which I support, but when my state charges mandatory fees for the license plate’s “reflectivity.” (Yes, they charge you for that) makes you replace your license plate every few years, charges you for that, then makes you pay $20.00 to retain your old license plate number one does become a bit jaded.
How can a state charge people for the license plate to have a reflective coating when ALL license plates are equipped for this? I and the businesses I’ve owned have already paid my lifetime portion of state taxes and fees ten times over. I don’t want to give any more than I must.
5) Americans are forced to provide increasing percentages of their income toward a concentrated few companies (oil cartels). That takes money away discretionary spending that benefits the economy generally.
6) Electricity is liberty. There are a multitude of ways to generate electricity but few sources of gasoline. Few sources = less options and liberty.
@Darren Smith
Well put. Right now, I’m driving a 13 year old Volvo, so you have many years on me, but your reasons are quite valid.
Who Killed The Electric Car
http://youtu.be/bTHsTCBxDM8
Smm
Now now, someone was bloviating about the Koch Bros being a necessity because they contribute… Why muddle it up with facts?
Glen, I spend Winters in San Diego and see those hover jets once in awhile. They are impressive.
Squeeky, With a hard right hook, “Down goes SWM, Down goes SWM, Down goes SWM”[said in a Howard Cosell voice].
We’ve not had a poem from the best poet ever here on the Turley Blog for awhile. Just sayn’
Nick: When do we get the Jetson’s cars? That’s what I’m waiting for.
Here’s the boy toy you’ve been waiting for. Costs a little more than a Tesla electric car. No more traffic jams, and if you’re late for work or an important appointment, just throttle up to mach 1.
@swm
You said, “In the climate change denying world playing the Koch card must be equivalent to playing the race card.”
Well,since you seem so often to espouse the DNC talking points, I bow to your expertise in card playing. 🙂
Squeeky Fromm
Girl Reporter
Some people think if they come up with a catchy phrase…. then the argument is settled / won …… “ProLife” “ProChoice” “ClimateChangeDenier” “SwedishBikiniTeam”
99, I think that Madison Ave. helped hardwire a lot of people w/ their “Where’s the Beef. That’s a Spicy Meatball” and other ditties like that. I always have muted commercials since I could afford a remote.
I am deeply offended by the sexist remarks. That is so uncivil and this shall be made aware to Jonathan. I don’t understand the motivation behind this type of incivility. Even as a male I find it rude and distasteful.
Well, until my comment escapes the spam-padded cell, here is the link to what I excerpted, why there are so many electric cars in California:
http://www.thestreet.com/story/12262655/1/why-electric-cars-are-selling-in-california-theyre-free.html
Squeeky Fromm
Girl Reporter
“Of course it was time for a Koch Brothers link. I’m shocked it took so long.” nick Yep, since the Koch Bros are so intimately involved in polluting. In the climate change denying world playing the Koch card must be equivalent to playing the race card.
The “Koch Bros” provide an easy jingoistic phrase…. just like “Ray Rice” , “terrorists” , “it’s for the children” then the thinking process becomes pretty simple