5 ms·

Isn't the country's enormous wealth largely due to the sale of fossil fuels? Tax incentives for EV usage are great, but it's only possible because of the rest o

Isn't the country's enormous wealth largely due to the sale of fossil fuels? Tax incentives for EV usage are great, but it's only possible because of the rest of the world's dependence on oil. It's really hard to take any lesson or even comfort from a story like this. It's not possible for everyone to offshore their carbon footprint.

xiphias2 7y ago
Would it be better if Norway would not lead the transition to sustainability? They understand how bad it is (also their oil reserves are not as great as before), and at least trying to take action before it's too late.
- Para2016 7y ago
  Actually yes, another country should "lead" the transition. It's a global issue. Doing a good thing for your own population while continuing to export fossil fuel is hypocritical.
  - breakyerself 7y ago
    I'm guessing you're not a fan of harm reduction programs.
    - Para2016 7y ago
      Just not a big fan of hypocrites. I see it as similar to a country that preaches peace and diplomacy while manufacturing weapons and selling to beligerants.
- gingabriska 7y ago
  If Norway wants to strive for sustainability they should be installing power plants in India and offering EVs and free charging ports there. In coming days, India is going to surpass all countries when it comes to net pollution. I don't know why these rich countries never do anything to improve quality of life on whole planet. Pollution or climate change won't respect borders, so why should they?
  - xiphias2 7y ago
    The money you are talking about would easily bankrupt Norway. What a government can do is to create tax incentives for EVs and tax gasoline cars, as laws are free. Norwegian government is not able to change the Indian tax code. What I see as important is anything that moves the price of EVs down and utility up. Norway is helping EV battery research a lot (although China still leads).
apex3stoker 7y ago
Having fossil fuels makes it harder to introduce incentives to promote alternative energy. Countries with fossil fuels tend to enrich a small fraction of ruling class (and foreign oil companies) which uses fossil fuel subsidies to maintain power. Norway managed to escape this curse because of foresight (http://web.archive.org/web/20100123225932/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/99680a04-92a0-11de-b63b-00144feabdc0.html http://web.archive.org/web/20100123225932/http://www.ft.com/...).
atombender 7y ago
I'm not sure I see how Norway converting to EVs increases fossil-fuel use elsewhere in the world. If anything, increased EV sales will help in tipping the trend against fossil-fuel-burning vehicles and have a positive impact everywhere. Even if you consider oil money to be morally questionable, it can be employed as a soft power in a positive way.

xiphias2 7y ago

Would it be better if Norway would not lead the transition to sustainability? They understand how bad it is (also their oil reserves are not as great as before), and at least trying to take action before it's too late.

Para2016 7y ago
Actually yes, another country should "lead" the transition. It's a global issue. Doing a good thing for your own population while continuing to export fossil fuel is hypocritical.
- breakyerself 7y ago
  I'm guessing you're not a fan of harm reduction programs.
  - Para2016 7y ago
    Just not a big fan of hypocrites. I see it as similar to a country that preaches peace and diplomacy while manufacturing weapons and selling to beligerants.
gingabriska 7y ago
If Norway wants to strive for sustainability they should be installing power plants in India and offering EVs and free charging ports there. In coming days, India is going to surpass all countries when it comes to net pollution. I don't know why these rich countries never do anything to improve quality of life on whole planet. Pollution or climate change won't respect borders, so why should they?
- xiphias2 7y ago
  The money you are talking about would easily bankrupt Norway. What a government can do is to create tax incentives for EVs and tax gasoline cars, as laws are free. Norwegian government is not able to change the Indian tax code. What I see as important is anything that moves the price of EVs down and utility up. Norway is helping EV battery research a lot (although China still leads).

apex3stoker 7y ago

Having fossil fuels makes it harder to introduce incentives to promote alternative energy. Countries with fossil fuels tend to enrich a small fraction of ruling class (and foreign oil companies) which uses fossil fuel subsidies to maintain power. Norway managed to escape this curse because of foresight (http://web.archive.org/web/20100123225932/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/99680a04-92a0-11de-b63b-00144feabdc0.html http://web.archive.org/web/20100123225932/http://www.ft.com/...).

atombender 7y ago

I'm not sure I see how Norway converting to EVs increases fossil-fuel use elsewhere in the world. If anything, increased EV sales will help in tipping the trend against fossil-fuel-burning vehicles and have a positive impact everywhere. Even if you consider oil money to be morally questionable, it can be employed as a soft power in a positive way.