Except when the said country is in an economic war. Britain was not communist in 1940 or in 1950 and there was no Green lobby, but there was a ticket system for certain commodities: because there was a war. Like I said: if we want an economic war, there's going to be a price to pay for it. If we don't want an economic war, then (temporarily) we can skip the restrictive measures part.ljadw wrote: ↑11 Sep 2022, 13:09Economic public transportation is something that no country can afford, is something that will destroy the economy and is something that takes away people's freedom .Peter89 wrote: ↑11 Sep 2022, 09:53Economic public transportation is magnitudes more cheap than driving with 10-20 years old cars. The car industry pushed the car ownership to an insane level where there is 250 million cars in a land of 450 million. In parallel, the public transport system got worse and worse. In Hungary, for example, the car fleet expanded by 30% since 2013, and by 70% since 2003, while the population was in a steady decline, thus: these cars are not necessary. Public transport has to be "free" for the passengers, because they will not convert to it with the current prices and the poor level of service.ljadw wrote: ↑11 Sep 2022, 08:42Eco vehicles also need energy, more than cars .
Free public transport does not exist :there is nothing for free on this planet.
To rationalize consumption,to prevent overuse,to promote (= to impose ) ''efficient '' solutions implies and result in the imposition of a totalitarian green dictatorship : more taxes, more laws will curtail the freedom of the people .
There were no energy problems till February ,except those invented by the politicians .When the Russians invaded Ukraine ,the Green Lobby used this to sanction Russia by stopping the imports of energy from Russia,although there was no other foreign source of energy available and to impose ideological measures that would almost stop the use of non renewable energy .That this risks to destroy the economy and to kill millions of Europeans, is not the business of these gentlemen .
Germany imports 71 % of its energy .Mainly from Russia . Only a big imbecile would stop this import,knowing that there is no substitute available .
In 2019 Germany consumed everyday 8,6 billion cubic feet of gas ,gas that was imported mainly from Russia .Gas that is no longer available and rationalize consumption ( = war restrictions ),prevent overuse (who will decide what is overuse ) and to promote efficient solutions are not substitutions for the missing 8,6 billion cubic feet of gas .
Gas is used not only by the public but also by the industry .And if the German industry collaps Europe will collapse.
From the NYT on April 5 :
In 2021 Germany bought 27 million tons of crude oil from Russia .And the refineries are in East Germany .
Germany relies on gas for 27 % of its energy.
Martin Brudermüller, CEO of BASF, said that making the transition from Russian natural gas to other suppliers or alternative sources would require four to five years .
And the costs will be enormous .
German business leaders have warned that without a steady supply of gas,oil and coal,their production would grind to a halt .
Germany imports 50 % of its coal,a third from its oil and 50% + of its gas from Russia .
To stop this for ideological reasons is suicidal ,and insulating houses (which cost a fortune ) and not heating them to 26 % degrees will not save us .
Nothing totalitarian (?) about taxing a lifestyle that a country can't afford. And freedom does not equal the arbitrary consumption.
Millions of Europeans will not die as a result of Green politicians' actions. The BASF CEO is defending his company's interests: the REPowerEU program expects the most reduction in energy from cement, glass and ceramics, chemicals production and refineries.
As for gas: from IEA's and the Statistisches Bundesamt's numbers it is clear that Germany can replace Russian energy, but it requires years of transition. The cca. 50 bcm gas imported from Russia (I don't understand cubic feet) can be substituted and eliminated. The question for me rather is why Azerbaijan and Arabs are better than Russia...?
The only good idea in REPowerEU is the increase of biomethane production, which will save 17 bcm gas on the mid term (its potential is near limitless).
Renewable hydrogen is questionable, but the solar and wind projects will fail to reach the goal of 50 bcm. Advisory action only can save 13 bcm of gas, some 8% of the Russian import.
Also, an important question: do we want to enjoy cheap Russian energy or do we want to wage an economic war and a proxy military conflict with Russia?
If the former, then stop supporting Ukraine thus they will collapse before the winter.
If the latter, then some politician has to confront the voting public with the reality: cut the car useage by at least 50%, heat your apartments less, put your investments into saving energy and increase military expenditure.
If public transport is free for the passengers, this mean that the non passengers will pay for it .And,if public transport is free for those who use it, gasoline must also be free for those who use it .
That in Hungary the number of cars is increasing while the population is declining,does not mean that these additional cars are useless .Besides, people have the right to buy a car not because of economic necessity, but as a luxury : it is their money,not the money of the Green Lobby .
Freedom does imply arbitrary consumption, because in a non communist country, you do with YOUR money what you want .
Btw what you say about transportation is way beyond any sense, so I will not even begin to address it.
