<
https://theconversation.com/the-human-factor-why-australias-net-zero-transition-risks-failing-unless-it-is-fair-214064>
"For those people focused on meeting the profound challenge of shifting our
economies from fossil fuels to clean energy sources, recent headlines from
Europe have made alarming reading.
In September, after five months of fierce controversy, Germany’s ruling
coalition managed to pass a law banning new gas boilers in homes and beginning
a phase-out of existing ones. Yet public protests and likely electoral setbacks
in some parts of the country have forced the government to soften the new law.
That same month, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also delayed bans on gas
boilers, along with new petrol and diesel cars. Climate activists like Al Gore
were dismayed, but Sunak said: “If we continue down this path, we risk losing
the consent of the British people” (for net zero policies).
And in 2018 the French government scrapped a proposed fuel tax increase after
fierce protests from the gilets jaunes (yellow vests) demonstrators.
These conflicts all show that achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 requires not
only technology and policy changes but an understanding of the human element –
the individuals, workers and communities whose lives will be profoundly
affected by these changes."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
