5 ms·

An Emirati oil executive has landed in hot water after claiming that there's "no science" behind phasing out fossil fuels to keep global temperatures from creep

An Emirati oil executive has landed in hot water after claiming that there's "no science" behind phasing out fossil fuels to keep global temperatures from creeping above 1.5 degrees Celsius, an internationally agreed-upon climate benchmark. Sorry how did this happen? How did this guy get to be in charge of this? I'm currently installing my own heat pumps and solar into my house using my own money. I know not everyone can afford this luxury but I'm taking shit into my own hands as much as I can. Thankfully we have the technology to be able to do this. As soon as this project is over and I recover financially I'm ordering and electric car and never looking back.

HankB99 3y ago
> Sorry how did this happen? How did this guy get to be in charge of this? I would follow the money.
- alephnerd 3y ago
  Kinda. Abu Dhabi is the emirate that controls the UAE. As such, they decided to put their guy in charge. When UAE got the chance to host COP28, Abu Dhabi was always going to drive the agenda. When most people hear UAE, they think Dubai, but the actual economy and power is in Abu Dhabi. Dubai had to get bailed out by Abu Dhabi a couple times, and Construction+Real Estate+Gold doesn't generate enough money or power within the Emirates compared to Abu Dhabi's Oil and PE/VC strategy. Also, Abu Dhabi has an actual conscripted army with combat experience in Afghanistan, Yemen and Sudan, unlike the other Emirates so they can push everyone else around. Dubai attempted to become India's Hong Kong, but they couldn't dethrone Singapore. Look at YC for example - they recommend Indian YC startups formally incorporating in SG if they can't make a Delaware corp.
  - HankB99 3y ago
    Thanks for taking the time to explain that.
  - petre 3y ago
    They totally compromised the COP28 conference with this guy and hosting Putin's visit to the UAE shortly afterwards. No one in their right mind would believe in what it aims to accopmlish after this. It has just became another theatre.
31carmichael 3y ago
Who else's money would you be using? Strange comment.
- imtringued 3y ago
  You can apply for subsidized loans to renovate your house in Germany if the renovation leads to a reduction in CO2 emissions. Strange comment.
  - jesterson 3y ago
    Obviously everyone here lives in Germany so it worth to make a point out of it.
- atoav 3y ago
  Given the fact that we share a planet: Wouldn't it be desirable to convince people to make buying choices that ensure our collective survival in the long term? If you agree with that thought: Wouldn't one way to do this be to pool a small part of our collective money together and give it to people who are then swayed (or enabled) to use it for a more sustainable infrastructure? IMO this is a no-brainer and given the collective costs of the weather extremes accompanying the ongoing climate catastrophe it might be even financially viable.
up2isomorphism 3y ago
The heatpump and solar are luxury in the US is mainly because prohibitive install cost and regulations. The heat pump and solar panels are very cheap. I was quoted a mini split installation 12k, the unit which is one of the best in the market cost only 2k and the job is a one day and half . I end up not getting it.
- toomuchtodo 3y ago
  If you're handy, you can install a mini split heat pump yourself. I have installed many, it is straightforward. https://mrcool.com/diy-4th-generation/ https://mrcool.com/diy-4th-generation/ https://buildshownetwork.com/contents/mrcool-diy-install-matt-risinger https://buildshownetwork.com/contents/mrcool-diy-install-mat... Solar is a bit more involved, but it can also be done. I am not a licensed electrician, but I have designed systems and helped physically build up to ~150kw systems (ground mount, nothing beyond ~20kw on a roof). Licensed electrician does the licensed electrician bits and signs off. If you're paying someone to do the install, you're probably going to pay between $2.50-$4/watt, depending on market. You can get down to $1.50-$2.00/watt if you do it yourself. Labor is unavoidable, the soft costs (permitting, sales/marketing load) is where the fat to be trimmed is. I strongly believe we should be teaching every kid that goes through high school how to install a heat pump and small scale solar.

HankB99 3y ago

> Sorry how did this happen? How did this guy get to be in charge of this? I would follow the money.

alephnerd 3y ago
Kinda. Abu Dhabi is the emirate that controls the UAE. As such, they decided to put their guy in charge. When UAE got the chance to host COP28, Abu Dhabi was always going to drive the agenda. When most people hear UAE, they think Dubai, but the actual economy and power is in Abu Dhabi. Dubai had to get bailed out by Abu Dhabi a couple times, and Construction+Real Estate+Gold doesn't generate enough money or power within the Emirates compared to Abu Dhabi's Oil and PE/VC strategy. Also, Abu Dhabi has an actual conscripted army with combat experience in Afghanistan, Yemen and Sudan, unlike the other Emirates so they can push everyone else around. Dubai attempted to become India's Hong Kong, but they couldn't dethrone Singapore. Look at YC for example - they recommend Indian YC startups formally incorporating in SG if they can't make a Delaware corp.
- HankB99 3y ago
  Thanks for taking the time to explain that.
- petre 3y ago
  They totally compromised the COP28 conference with this guy and hosting Putin's visit to the UAE shortly afterwards. No one in their right mind would believe in what it aims to accopmlish after this. It has just became another theatre.

31carmichael 3y ago

Who else's money would you be using? Strange comment.

imtringued 3y ago
You can apply for subsidized loans to renovate your house in Germany if the renovation leads to a reduction in CO2 emissions. Strange comment.
- jesterson 3y ago
  Obviously everyone here lives in Germany so it worth to make a point out of it.
atoav 3y ago
Given the fact that we share a planet: Wouldn't it be desirable to convince people to make buying choices that ensure our collective survival in the long term? If you agree with that thought: Wouldn't one way to do this be to pool a small part of our collective money together and give it to people who are then swayed (or enabled) to use it for a more sustainable infrastructure? IMO this is a no-brainer and given the collective costs of the weather extremes accompanying the ongoing climate catastrophe it might be even financially viable.

up2isomorphism 3y ago

The heatpump and solar are luxury in the US is mainly because prohibitive install cost and regulations. The heat pump and solar panels are very cheap. I was quoted a mini split installation 12k, the unit which is one of the best in the market cost only 2k and the job is a one day and half . I end up not getting it.

toomuchtodo 3y ago
If you're handy, you can install a mini split heat pump yourself. I have installed many, it is straightforward. https://mrcool.com/diy-4th-generation/ https://mrcool.com/diy-4th-generation/ https://buildshownetwork.com/contents/mrcool-diy-install-matt-risinger https://buildshownetwork.com/contents/mrcool-diy-install-mat... Solar is a bit more involved, but it can also be done. I am not a licensed electrician, but I have designed systems and helped physically build up to ~150kw systems (ground mount, nothing beyond ~20kw on a roof). Licensed electrician does the licensed electrician bits and signs off. If you're paying someone to do the install, you're probably going to pay between $2.50-$4/watt, depending on market. You can get down to $1.50-$2.00/watt if you do it yourself. Labor is unavoidable, the soft costs (permitting, sales/marketing load) is where the fat to be trimmed is. I strongly believe we should be teaching every kid that goes through high school how to install a heat pump and small scale solar.