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points by timmg 20 hours ago | 0 comments

Not for nothing, but voters also have a say in what kind of car they buy. I checked the Q2 numbers -- when gas prices were high. In the US, 8% of people bought fully electric cars. Around 22% bought some sort of hybrid.

Each of these people made a choice about how they were going to affect the environment. The vast majority "voted" to use fossil fuels.

[–] tclancy 17 hours ago

This is disingenuous if you don’t note that in the US we essentially subsidize/ encourage fossil fuel.

[–] timmg 16 hours ago

Is that really true?

Up until two years ago, we very explicitly subsidized electric cars. And for the past six-plus months we've caused oil/gas prices to double.

In any case: is it worth spending a little more money (maybe?) to save the world from climate change? Or isn't it?

[–] Timon3 7 hours ago

Yes, the US subsidizes fossil industries with several billion dollars per year.

[–] WarmWash 19 hours ago

I could write an essay of pure rage about how many overtly liberal people in my life and online still decide against electric over minor or non-existent inconveniences or extra upfront cost (for people who definitely aren't broke).

These people will yell and complain about anything and everything destroying the Earth, but then when it's their turn?

"We just couldn't figure out how to make the extra 30 minute charge stop on our annual vacation work..."

[–] nonethewiser 17 hours ago

You should stop tying your emotions to other people’s purchasing habits. For your own mental health. And its kind of narcissistic to be offended that people aren’t spending their money how you think they should.

[–] anon84873628 17 hours ago

To be fare, they said they could write an essay full of rage :-)

It's not unreasonable to be frustrated by people's hypocrisy.

[–] WarmWash 17 hours ago

My complaint is the cavernous gap I have uncovered of people who hold beliefs for social points and people who hold beliefs because they themselves are making the world a better place.

Turns out everyone's a selfless hero at the dinner table or in the comment section, but few are on the ground.

[–] tehjoker 18 hours ago

This is why it shouldn't be only consumer choices but intentional policy guiding production and product availability. The government should be mandating EVs.

As an individual, your impact is minor. The problem is that there are hundreds of millions of vehicles on the road.

[–] anon84873628 17 hours ago

In fact, policy is the only way to unblock multi-agent coordination problems. Of which environmental protection is definitely one.

[–] estearum 18 hours ago

Do you also get mad when people who are upset about the deficit don't donate extra money to Treasury?

This is a pretty typical coordination problem where people are reluctant to make personal sacrifices when they know others will not make similar sacrifices which are necessary to achieve the goal.