Renewable Energy - Tumblr Posts
Somewhere between rain and sun
Solarpunk is not archievable under Capitalism
Okay, let me make one thing very clear: We will never have a Solarpunk future as long as we live under capitalism. Again and again I will find people, who have fallen in love with the idea of Solarpunk, but are unwilling to consider any alternative to capitalism. So, please, let me quickly explain what that just is not gonna work out that way. There will be no Solarpunk under capitalism. Because the incentives of capitalism are opposing anything that Solarpunk stands for.
So let me please run over a few core points.
What is capitalism?
One issue that a lot of people do seem to have is understanding what capitalism even is. The defining attribute of capitalism is that "the means of production" (e.g. the things needed to create things) are privately owned and as such the private owners will decide both what gets created through it and who will get a share in any profits created through them. The ultimate goal in this is, to generate as large as a profit as possible, ideally more and more profit with every year. In real terms this means, that most of those means of productions in the way of companies and the like are owned mostly by shareholders, that is investors who have bought part of the company.
While capitalism gets generally thaught in schools with this entire idea of the free market, that... actually is not the central aspect of capitalism. I would even go so far to argue something else...
The market is actually not free and cannot be free
The idea of the free market is, that prices are controlled by the concept of supply and demand, with the buyer in the end deciding on whether they want to spend their money on something and being able to use that power to also enact control on the supplier.
However... that is actually not what is happening. Because it turns out that the end consumer has little influence, because they are actually not actively participating in the market. The market mainly is something that is happening between multimillionaires. It is their demand (or the lack thereoff) that is the influence. Investors, mainly. Which is logical. In a system, where the power to buy is deciding, the person who can spend multiple millions is gonna have a lot more power, than the person who has twenty bucks to their name.
Hence: 99% of all people are not participating in anything resembling a free market, and the remaining 1% are not interested in such a system.
Money under capitalism
One thing everyone needs to understand is, that for the most part money under capitalism is a very theoretical concept. It might be real for the average joe, who for the most part will not have more than maybe ten grand to their name, but it is not real to multi millionaires, let alone billionairs. Something that is going to be thrown around a lot is the concept of "net worth". But what you need to realize is that this net worth is not real money. It does not exist. It is the estimated worth of stuff these people own. Maybe houses and land, maybe private jets, maybe shares in companies and other things. These people's power and literal worth is tied to them being able theoretically able to sell these assets for money.
In fact a lot of these very rich people do not even have a lot of liquid money. So money they can spend. In fact there are quite a few billionairs who do not even own a million in liquidated money. The money they use in everyday life they borrow from banks, while putting their assets up as a security.
Why capitalism won't abolish fossil fuels
Understanding this makes it quite easy to understand why the capitalists cannot have fossil fuels ending. Because a lot of them own millions, at times billions in fossil fuel related assets. They might own a coal mine, or a fracking station, or maybe an offshore rig, or a power plant burning fossil fuels. At times they have 50% or more of their net worth bound in assets like this. If we stopped using fossil fuels, all those assets would become useless from one day to the next. Hence it is not in the interest of these very rich people to have that happen.
But it goes further than that, because politicians cannot have that happen either. Because the entire economy is build around these assets existing and being used as leverage and security for other investments.
Why capitalism won't build walkable cities and infrastructure
The same goes very much for the entire infrastructure. Another thing a lot of people have invested a lot of money into is cars. Not physical cars they own, but cars manufacturing. So, if we were building walkable cities with bikelanes and public transportation, a lot less people would buy cars, those manufactoring factories becoming worthless and hence once more money... just vanishing, that would otherwise be further invested.
Furthermore, even stuff like investing into EVs is a touch call to get to happen, because the investors (whose theoretical and not real money is tied to those manufacturers) want to see dividents at the end of the quartal. And if the manufactuerer invested into changing their factories to build EVs for a while profits would go down due to that investment. Hence, capitalism encourages them not doing that.
Why capitalism won't create sustainable goods
A lot of people will decry the fact that these days all goods you buy will break within two years, while that old washing machine your grandparents bought in 1962 is still running smoothly. To which I say: "Obviously. Because they want to make profits. Hence, selling you the same product every two years is more profitable."
If you wonder: "But wasn't that the same in 1962?" I will answer: "Yes. But in 1962 the market was still growing." See, with the post war economic boom more and more people got more divestable income they could spend. So a lot of companies could expect to win new costumers. But now the market is saturated. There is not a person who could use a washing machine, who does not have one. Hence, that thing needs to break, so they can sell another one.
The market incentive is against making sustainable, enduring products, that can be repaired. They would rather have you throw your clothing, your smartphone and your laptop away every two years.
Why workers will always be exploited under capitalism
One other central thing one has to realize about capitalism is that due to the privitization of the means of production the workers in a capitalist system will always be exploited. Because they own nothing, not even their own work. Any profit the company makes is value that has in the end been created by the workers within the company. (Please note, that everyone who does not own their work and cannot decide what happens to the value created by it is a worker. No matter whether they have a blue collar or a white collar job.)
That is also, why there is the saying: All profit is unpaid wages.
Under capitalism the profits will get divided up under the shareholders (aka the investors), while many of the workers do not even have enough money to just... live. Hence, good living standards for everyone are explicitly once more against the incentives of capitalism.
Why there won't be social justice under capitalism
Racism, sexism and also the current rise of queermisia are all a result of capitalism and have everything to do with capitalist incentives. Because the capitalists, so the people who own the means of production, profit from this discrimination. This is for two reasons.
For once having marginalized people creates groups that are easier exploitable. Due to discrimination these people will have a harder time finding a job and living quarters, making them more desperate and more likely to take badly paid jobs. Making it easier to exploit them for the profit of the capitalists.
A workforce divided through prejudice and discrimination will have a harder time to band together in unions and strikes. The crux of the entire system si, that it is build on the exploitation of workers - but if the workers stopped working, the system would instantly collapse. Hence the power of strikes. So, dividing the workforce between white and non-white, between queer and straight, between abled and disabled makes it easier to stop them from banding together, as they are too busy quaralling amoung themselves.
Why we won't decolonize under capitalism
Colonialism has never ended. Even now a lot of natural ressources and companies in the former colonies are owned by western interest. And this will stay that way, because this way the extraction of wealth is cheaper - making it more profitable. Colonialism has never ended, it has only gotten more subtle - and as long as more money can be made through this system, it will not end.
There won't be Solarpunk under capitalism
It is not your fault, if you think that capitalism cannot end. You have been literally taught this for as long as you can think. You never have been given the information about what capitalism is and how it works. You have never been taught the alternative mechanisms and where and when they were implemented.
You probably look at Solarpunk and think: "Yeah, that... that looks neat. I want that." And here is the thing: I want that, too.
But I have studied economics. Literally. And I can tell you... it does not work. It will not create better living situations for everyone. It will not save the world. Because in the end the longterm goals are not compatible with a capitalistic system.
I know it is fucking scary to be told: "Yeah, change the world you know in massive ways - or the world will end." But... it is just how the things are standing.
You can start small, though. Join a local party. Join a union. Join a mutual aid network. Help repair things. Help people just deal. Our power lies in working together. That is, in the end, what will get us a better future.
Home Bar - U-Shape Large contemporary u-shaped light wood floor wet bar design idea with granite countertops, glass tile backsplash, open cabinets, brown cabinets, and brown backsplash.
THIS NEEDS MORE NOTES. Phasing out fossil fuels on a national scale IS possible. The only thing standing in the way are rich lobbyists.
Britain is about to pass a significant landmark - at midnight on Wednesday it will have gone two full months without burning coal to generate power.
A decade ago about 40% of the country’s electricity came from coal; coronavirus is part of the story, but far from all.
When Britain went into lockdown, electricity demand plummeted; the National Grid responded by taking power plants off the network.
The four remaining coal-fired plants were among the first to be shut down.
The last coal generator came off the system at midnight on 9 April. No coal has been burnt for electricity since.
Continue Reading.
Harnessing the Power of Today's Solar Eclipse and New Moon
Shaina Tranquilino
October 14, 2023
Today marks an extraordinary celestial event—a conjunction of a solar eclipse and a new moon, captivating sky gazers worldwide. As the moon passes between Earth and the sun, momentarily obscuring its radiant glow, we find ourselves in awe of nature’s grandeur. But beyond its visual spectacle, a solar eclipse holds profound significance for our spiritual and personal growth. In this blog post, we will explore what a solar eclipse entails and discuss ways to harness its power.
Understanding a Solar Eclipse:
A solar eclipse occurs when the moon aligns perfectly with the sun, casting a shadow on Earth. During this alignment, the sun's light is blocked either partially or completely for observers in specific regions. A total solar eclipse is exceptional, enveloping viewers in near darkness as the moon covers the entire sun.
Harnessing the Power:
While experiencing a solar eclipse can be awe-inspiring by itself, many cultures believe that these celestial events possess transformative energies capable of enhancing our lives. Here are some ways you can harness this potent energy to enrich your spiritual journey:
1. Self-Reflection and Introspection:
Solar eclipses symbolize fresh beginnings—times of immense possibilities and transformation. Utilize this moment to reflect upon your life journey, goals, and aspirations. Embrace introspection to unearth hidden talents or areas requiring growth and improvement.
2. Setting Intentions:
During this powerful cosmic alignment, set clear intentions for manifesting positive changes in your life. Write down your desires, dreams, or goals that align with your authentic self. Focus on clarity while envisioning their realization.
3. Meditation and Mindfulness:
Engage in deep meditation during the peak moments of the eclipse to cultivate mindfulness and connect with universal energies. Visualize yourself absorbing the empowering energy emitted by the celestial convergence—the unity of sun and moon—and allow it to permeate every aspect of your being.
4. Cleansing and Letting Go:
Eclipses also signify a time for shedding old patterns, beliefs, or habits that hinder personal growth. Perform rituals like burning incense, smudging, or creating an intention-infused bath to cleanse your mind, body, and spirit. Embrace the opportunity to release negativity and make space for positive transformation.
5. Rituals and Ceremony:
Engaging in rituals during eclipses can be deeply meaningful. Light candles, create altars adorned with crystals or other sacred objects, and imbue them with intentions that resonate with you personally. Allow these rituals to deepen your connection with the celestial energies present during this extraordinary event.
Today's solar eclipse and new moon offer us an exceptional chance to harness the transformative power of cosmic alignment. As we witness nature's awe-inspiring spectacle, let us not only marvel at its beauty but also seize this opportunity for self-reflection, setting intentions, and embracing positive change within our lives. By immersing ourselves in meditation, mindfulness practices, cleansing rituals, and ceremonies tailored to our spiritual preferences, we invite the profound energy of the eclipse to enhance our journey towards self-discovery and fulfillment. Embrace this unique occasion as a catalyst for personal growth—allow yourself to be transformed by the magic of today's solar eclipse and new moon!
10 Effective Ways to Save the Planet and Restore Mother Nature
Shaina Tranquilino
November 17, 2023
In recent years, concerns about climate change and environmental degradation have reached an all-time high. As responsible citizens of this planet, it is our duty to take action and strive towards sustainable living practices. By making conscious choices in our everyday lives, we can collectively make a significant impact in preserving the Earth's natural resources for future generations. Here are ten effective ways that each one of us can contribute to saving the planet:
1. Reduce Energy Consumption: One of the most impactful steps we can take is to reduce our energy consumption. Opt for energy-efficient appliances, switch off lights when not in use, unplug electronics when fully charged, and consider using renewable energy sources like solar panels.
2. Conserve Water: Water scarcity is a growing concern worldwide. Be mindful of your water usage by fixing leaks promptly, collecting rainwater for gardening purposes, taking shorter showers, and opting for low-flow fixtures.
3. Embrace Sustainable Transportation: Reduce your carbon footprint by choosing eco-friendly modes of transportation whenever possible. Carpooling, biking or walking short distances instead of driving alone helps reduce emissions significantly.
4. Adopt a Plant-based Diet: The meat industry contributes heavily to greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation. Transitioning to a plant-based diet or reducing meat consumption can help combat climate change while promoting healthier eating habits.
5. Support Local and Organic Products: Choose locally sourced products that require less transportation and support local economies. Additionally, opt for organic produce as they minimize exposure to harmful pesticides while promoting sustainable farming practices.
6. Recycle and Reuse: Create a habit of recycling materials such as paper, plastic, glass, and metal whenever possible. Also, embrace creative reuse by repurposing items rather than throwing them away.
7. Minimize Single-use Plastics: Plastic pollution has become a global crisis endangering marine life and ecosystems. Avoid single-use plastics by opting for reusable alternatives.
8. Plant Trees: Trees play a vital role in absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen, making afforestation crucial for the planet's well-being. Participate in tree-planting initiatives or support organizations that focus on reforestation efforts.
9. Practice Responsible Tourism: When travelling, choose eco-friendly accommodations, reduce waste generation by carrying reusable bottles and shopping bags, respect local wildlife and ecosystems, and contribute to local conservation efforts.
10. Educate Others: Spread awareness about environmental issues within your community. Engage others through discussions, workshops, or social media campaigns to inspire positive change collectively.
Saving the planet requires collective action from individuals across the globe. By adopting these ten effective ways in our daily lives – reducing energy consumption, conserving water, embracing sustainable transportation, adopting a plant-based diet, supporting local and organic products, recycling and reusing materials, minimizing single-use plastics, planting trees, practicing responsible tourism, and educating others – we can actively contribute towards preserving the Earth's precious resources and restoring its natural balance. Remember: Every small step counts; let us join hands to ensure a greener future for generations to come!
Traditional Exterior
i love how you know it's bad when hedge funds are actually doing the thing that's good in the long run (it's always for profits in the next quarter)
the professor that wrote this article is just as baffled and i love them
