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Norway is wealthy because of oil. Can it give up fossil fuels?

csmonitor.com

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Re: Norway is wealthy because of oil. Can it give up fossil fuels?

#3
post #2

Literally all they’ve been doing with that money is investing in sustainable power. I’m sure they’re fine.

Which just lets them export more of the dino stuff they extract. Good move if you can do it.

Can they give up exporting it too though? I doubt that will happen.

Re: Norway is wealthy because of oil. Can it give up fossil fuels?

#4
The election was on Monday, the left side with Labor and the Center Party were the major winners. Which parties will form government remains to be seen.

Not sure where they got that climate/environment was a big issue for this campaign, because it hasn't really been. The most outspoken "green" party even got a fairly mediocre result and fell below the very important 4 % limit. This will probably be seen as a sign that the Norwegian people is in no hurry to completely stop our petroleum industry right away.

In any case, what we do here won't have any significant impact on global environment. However, if we lead the way then perhaps others will follow; the big question is what the most effective course of action to achieve that will be.

Re: Norway is wealthy because of oil. Can it give up fossil fuels?

#5
Norway is an interesting case because their own energy grid is mostly powered by renewables. However, they export huge amounts of fossil fuels to other countries:

> With their hydro-powered energy grid and electric cars, they are among the world’s most enthusiastic consumers of green power, but decades of exporting oil and gas means this nation of 5.3 million enjoys a generous welfare buffer, and sits on the world’s largest sovereign wealth fund.

It was easy for them to give up fossil fuels, but then they simply export those fossil fuels to other countries who will burn them anyway.

Re: Norway is wealthy because of oil. Can it give up fossil fuels?

#6
'"It is such a more nuanced issue involving other things like agriculture and transport.”'

Hah, that's good. It IS nuanced, or rather, not a simple matter, but it seems that unless you personally feel the threat of getting cut off from the gravy train, you are likely to toss around simplistic slogans which environmentalists and "green politicians" are notorious for. But it's likely that in the latter case, this is just pandering, like the whole "tax the rich" theater.

It will be very interesting to watch what Norway does, and telling. The proof will be in the pudding.

Re: Norway is wealthy because of oil. Can it give up fossil fuels?

#9

Norway is an interesting case because their own energy grid is mostly powered by renewables. However, they export huge amounts of fossil fuels to other countries: > With their hydro-powered energy grid and electric cars, they are among the world’s most enthusiastic consumers of green power, but decades of exporting oil and gas means this nation of 5.3 million enjoys a generous welfare buffer, and sits on the world’s…

It's the drug dealer model: NEVER eat your own dog food.
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