Freedom for Ukraine, electrification for peace and prosperity

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ari Matusiak, opinion contributors

With the tragic, illegal, and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine by Vladimir Putin, the world has been turned upside down. There is a hardening resolve among peace-loving nations and people around the globe to support Ukraine and isolate the Putin regime. The U.S. is leading this effort alongside our allies, reaffirming historic bonds in the process.

But as Americans watch the inspiring heroism of Ukrainians fighting for their land and survival, we see plainly before us the fallout from a world dependent on fossil fuels. Oil and gas have propped up Putin's regime. Fossil fuels have enabled an autocrat to fantasize that he can reset the terms of the global order.

The only way to break free from that cycle of dependence is to stop using the machines that consume fossil fuels to heat our air and water, cook our food, dry our clothes, and take us from place to place. We must electrify. And quickly.

It is clear that dependence on fossil fuels is not just bad for the environment, but puts people at risk. Electrification can break the cycle. And while the immediate need is in Europe, going all in for electrification at home can both spur manufacturing opportunities and facilitate our own transition towards true independence.

-more-

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/freedom-for-ukraine-electrification-for-peace-and-prosperity/ar-AAUWTLD

[lagomorph777]

1. Assholes like Putin, Mohammed Bin Salmon, etc would be powerless...

...without their fossil fuel extraction revenues.

[Skittles]

3. it's not like the idea is new

Jimmy Carter was way ahead of the curve; yes indeed

[lagomorph777]

4. Yup

[NNadir]

9. Which part? Fischer-Tropsch chemistry? The Germans may go there, as in the 1930s and 40s. n/t.

[wnylib]

2. Imagine the oil producing nations

like Venezuela, Russia, and Saudi Arabia becoming financial has beens, insignificant on the world scene.

But - would this mean more reliance on nuclear power plants?

While we reduce dependence on oil and gas, we might want to turn to less reliance on nuclear power.

Petroleum has other uses, though, besides powering machinery. It is used in the manufacture of plastics, cosmetics, and numerous other products.

[lagomorph777]

5. There's a big push from the "other" nonrenewable energy mongers (nukes).

So we do have to push back.

True, petroleum is useful for lots of other things. All the more reason not to burn it all up.

About 7% of fossil fuels are consumed for non-combustion use in the United States
https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=35672

[wnylib]

6. I first realized how many things use

petroleum back in the 1970s when OPEC raised prices and there was a recession.

I worked for a telephone directory publishing company back then and part of my job involved keeping track of sales losses from businesses that had closed since the previous year's directory. This was for a district that covered 4 states. During the period of the high gas and oil prices, which increased the costs for many businesses, the ones that closed were double and triple the usual number in each town and city where we published a directory.

[NNadir]

8. Um, which nation in Europe has sent the most Euros to Putin?

Actually I don't need an answer. I know.

[NNadir]

7. It would be useful to understand the laws of thermodynamics...

...before making statements of this type, but we live in an age where they are considered optional.