Politics Democrats vent but can't stop Trump from leaving Paris climate agreement

Pulling out of the Paris Accords is largely just of symbolic value for Trump, but it doesn't actually make a lot of difference. The US is already on a path to reduced emissions that Trump can't prevent. While Trump will do his best to keep existing coal plants open, new ones aren't really being built because they're not very economically beneficial. So as coal plants close naturally, new ones aren't replacing them. Trump rolled back Obama's federal standards for car emissions, but California has retained their stricter ones and car companies need to meet those standards to sell cars in California. Car companies aren't going to stop selling cars in California, nor are they going to develop different cars for California. So, by and large, car companies will end up meeting California's standards.

And the rest of the world, notably China, plans to stick to the agreement. The US just looks silly, but nothing of substance is really changing. The major progress was forging a world consensus and plan of action. Trump can't turn back that progress, nor can he really turn back the progress in the US. He can just slow it very, very slightly.

 

At least here when you think Trump is being a dipshit you have valid points. The California car emissions is likely a good point.

They may have to add expensive equipment to California only vehicles or add that to all their cars so we'll pay more. Who knows?

 

So to follow up on my understanding of all this...

A lot of states and large companies still want to move forward and meet the tighter emissions standards (sounds great), and pulling out of the Paris Agreement won't affect that, but it does open the possibility that environmental regulations are eased, which could potentially lead to higher emissions, but not necessarily. It seems the bigger deal about pulling out is not actually about lowering emissions (but this point is used on the face of the argument because it sounds better), but actually about not working with the rest of the world, which in turn could cause issues. Correct?

 

And in fact it's part of the pact that the earliest the US would actually withdraw is one day after the 2020 election. So it's quite possible that nothing will happen. But the point was to say "fuck you" to the rest of the world, apparently in part because Macron was smack talking about The Handshake. Probably the worst thing that will happen is a bunch of thinkpieces interviewing ex-coal miners saying they still love Trump even though the opioids took Emmy Lou and they can't get no healthcare no more.

 

Much of what you say is correct. Except for the part where you imply that Trump is trying to prevent reduced emissions and turn back progress. That has nothing to do with why he pulled out of the Accord. It does make for a good liberal talking point though.

 

I call bullshit on this. Prove to me that you have contacted all of these. And that's a bare minimum. There will be hundreds of freelance guys who would take cash to do it. Also, as soon as the Tesla battery becomes available in the next couple of years you can go off-grid.

 

This was true a few years ago. Even you must know that it's not true any more. What utilities companies are afraid of is people going off grid (which they will, in droves, the minute you can buy batteries for your house, which Tesla is building factories to make) so they are increasingly moving to discourage solar. If you were a real libertarian instead of just a confused anti-liberal you would be angry about this and would be RUSHING to get out of the control of monopolistic evil corporations.

 

I would love to go off the grid. But when the wife is running the oven , I have the 7500 watt planer running, and the well pump kicks in, I am screwed unless install a 12000 watt genset supplement.
This all cost more than my power bill for the rest of my actuarial life pulse 9 years. Assuming I had the Tesla batteries. Currently I use deep cycle batteries in the boat, with a diesel charging system as there is no friggin way to get it done with solar.

I like this! Let's talk science and math!

 

Ha! Sorry Denny, but I had to chuckle.
I am pretty sure the statement is fact.

 

You ask him scientific questions and he can respond only with other people's tweets....GO!

 

No. He never responds.

 

you should contact Solar Johnny in Nevada County Cal....he's powered the Whole Earth Festival for decades with Solar....a friend of mine had his house completely solar outfitted and is off the grid for about 7K.....your contractors reflect your real estate prices down there...I bought my half panel from the city solar field...cost 1500 bucks.....saves me 20 bucks a month from my old electric bill.....I pay 72 dollars a month in electric bills....I also kept shade trees that keep the house cool in the summer...you're getting fleeced from your story....there are millions of successful solar projects throughout the country...it's a good thing

 

He has you on ignore, surely.