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[1] Just go out your house after first 100 feet you will find a change .But Modi govt. is not that much good like before UpaWe have lost our freedom of throwing garbage here and there now we have throw it in Dustbins.Some people lost their freedom to go in open for toilets now modi govt. has created fear of disease if we go in open now some people have to go to toilets of Clean India Campaign.Modi govt. has destroyed life of many poor people who have stored crores of their money in ceilings and walls of houses.Now we do not enjoy that adventurous toilet of Indian Railways we have to go to clean toilet.Now we do not enjoy taste of sand with water in railway station we have to drink pure cold RO water.Now we rarely gets adventurous rides of road that Up and down. We have to move RCC roads and Highways.Now we don't get our favourite news of scams we get news of development.Sarcasm over(an email of sent by Indian Railway)Under digital IndiaAchievement of Indian RailwaysHighest ever 2855 kms of new lines, gauge conversion and doubling commissionedHighest ever 953 kms of new line commissionedEntire meter gauge has been converted to broad gauge in north east regionHighest ever 2013 kms of electrification doneHighest ever 1503 unmanned level crossings eliminatedHighest ever 1306 Road Over Bridges and Subways completed.Launched new train products: Humsafar, a completely air conditioned luxury service at affordable price with improved aesthetics, amenities and Antyodaya, a completely unreserved long distance service with improved coachesWe commissioned 48 lifts and 61 escalatorsHigh speed Wi-Fi was provided at 100+ stationsOn Board Housekeeping facilities were extended to 157 more trains making a total of 830 trainsAttached 586 coaches in regular trains, generating an additional capacity of 43,420 berths150 toilets provided for DivyangTotal 1313 stations have been provided with 100 % LED lightsWe ran 31,438 trips of special trains4 MW of installed solar capacity addedRecord 34,000 bio-toilets fitted. In last six years 36,000 bio-toilets were providedEnergy audit conducted at 205 stations1313 stations have been provided with 100 % LED lightsWe came up with a new Water Policy for efficient use of water resourcesWe came up with Mission 41k to achieve a savings of Rs. 41,000 Cr in next 10 years by energy efficiencyRs. 8.56 Lakh Crore capital expenditure planMission "Zero fatality" to ensure complete safety100% Elimination of Unmanned level CrossingsMission One ICT to leverage IT in all aspects of Indian Railways' functioning for greater efficiencyDedicated freight corridor to segregate passenger and freight traffic and thus reduce congestion considerablySetting up Rail Development Authority (RDA), an independent regulator to recommend passenger and freight fares and set service level benchmarksRs. 1 Lakh Crore Rail Saranksha Fund for spending on upgrading safety standardsMission Raftar to enhance both average and highest speed of trainsImplementation of accounting reforms to ensure co-relation between input parameters and organisational outcomesMission 5 Cr trees to plant trees for environment conservationRedevelopment of stations into world class terminals having best-in-class amenitiesEnhancing non fare revenue through advertisements, monetisation of real estate etc.To connect all capital cities of North Eastern States with broad gauge by 2020Making Indian Railways 100% human waste discharge free through use of Bio-ToiletsGeneration of 1000 MW solar power, thus becoming one of country's largest solar power producerSome more pointsPress Information BureauGovernment of IndiaTwo Years Achievements of Ministry of Railways (May 2014 to May 2016)Ministry of RailwaysTwo Years Achievements of Ministry of Railways (May 2014 to May 2016)I.PASSENGER AMENITIES AND DIGITAL INDIA INITIAVES· Indian Railways launched three social media platforms on Facebook, Twitter and You Tube with the handle @railminindia. Ministry of Railways employed first of its kind, a real time 24x7 public grievance system through Twitter and provided medical, security and other emergency assistance to travelling passengers· All India Security Helpline 182 set up to report any untoward incident and seek emergency help during travel· The All India Passenger Helpline ‘138’ provided for all other query/complaints during travel· A mobile based application viz. Complaint Management System (COMS) launched· E-catering facility launched at 100 stations. 408 railway stations designated for providing E-catering· A massive scheme for providing Water Vending Machines (WVMs) to provide RO Water at affordableprices is under implementation by Railway PSU IRCTC· Reservation quota of two lower berths per coach in Sleeper class enhanced to four lower berths per coach for Senior Citizens and Women· Tatkal reservation timings have been staggered to serve dual purpose of providing convenience to the passengers and for staggering traffic on the e-ticket portal.All agents are debarred from booking tickets during first thirty minutes of opening of booking· Automatic refund of Confirmed /RAC e-tickets on cancellation of trains similar to waitlisted e-tickets is granted without filing of TDR· Time limit for booking reserved tickets was increased to 120 days w.e.f. 01.04.2015· Destination alert and wake up alarm services launched on 139· Automatic Destination Alerts to passengers through SMS for Rajdhani and Duronto trains.· E-ticketing facility launched for disabled persons and for accredited journalist on concession pass.· Mobile charging facilities in all new general class coaches initiated.· Out of 1252 Stations identified for upgradation to Adarsh Stations’, 986 stations have so far been developed. 160 developed in last two years· Scheme namely ‘SMS Gateway’ launched enabling passengers to get SMS alerts on the status of reserved tickets· New Generation system put in place which can book 7200 online tickets instead of 2000 tickets per minute and can attend 2,00,000 enquiries instead of 50000 per minute· Rationalization of Computerized Passenger Reservation System (PRS) done to enable passengers to buy tickets even after the preparation of reservation charts· Paperless unreserved ticketing including Paperless Platforms tickets through mobile phone introduced in suburban sections of Western Railway, Central Railway, South Central Railway, Southern Railway, Eastern Railway, South Eastern Railway· Pilot Project of hand Held Terminals for TTEs launched· E-booking of disposable linen started on trains at New Delhi Railway Station and Nizamuddin Railway Station, Mumbai Central (BCT), Chattarpati Shivaji Terminus (CSTM), Southern Railway· E-booking of Wheel chair launched· Currency Coin cum Card operated Automatic Ticket Vending Machines installed at select stations.· Initiated one of the largest free public wifi fi systems in the world. Launched at 26 stations with a plan to extend it to 100 Stations by December this year and to 400 stations by 2018.· The booking of retiring rooms at different railway stations made online making it convenient and transparent· E-Ticketing portal in Hindi launched· 60 lifts and 150 escalators provided in last 2 years at Railway stations· Model Rake (a passenger carrying train with 24 coaches) developedwith improved interiors, colour scheme, aesthetics and amenity fittings. This is running as a train between New Delhi and Varanasi.· Cancellation of confirmed, RAC and Waitlisted PRS counter tickets made easy using IRCTC website or phone No. 139.· Provision made for acceptance of international debit and credit cards for payment of E-ticket through IRCTC website· Yatri Ticket/Sewa Kendra (YTSK) Scheme launched to allow private agents to operate ticketing terminals for selling reserved as well as unreserved tickets· Indian Railways started six pilgrims’ special tourist trains. More such trains being planned in subsequent phases· Dustbins to be provided in non AC coaches also· NIFT, Delhi has been engaged for designing of bedroll etc.· A new ‘Rail Neer’ plant for package drinking water set up at Ambernath (Mumbai).· In order to increase availability of accommodation for general class passengers on long distance Mail/Express trains, GMs were delegated powers to de-reserve Sleeper Class (SL) coaches as General Coaches (GS) in identified trains & sectors· Suvidha Trains with graded pricing structure introduced with facility for booking on PRS in addition to e-tickets and facility of limited refund on cancellation of ticket· The Defense Travel System to eliminate exchange of defense warrants was rolled out on the NGeT platform. Till date about 2000 Defense units have started issuing tickets through this platform without exchange of warrants· Number of berths available for physically challenged has been increased from 2 to 4· ‘VIKALP’, Alternative Train Accommodation System (ATAS) launched with a view to provide confirmed accommodation to waitlisted passengers and also to ensure optimal utilization of available accommodation. This facility is now available on New Delhi – Jammu, New Delhi – Lucknow, Delhi-Howrah, Delhi- Chennai, Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Secunderabad Circuits,· Launched pre-cooked (ready-to-eat) meals of reputed brands on some trains.· Commencement of provision of Braille signage on 3000 coaches has been given in order to facilitate travel to visually impaired passengers.· Provision of foldable ladder in First AC coaches launched· Provision of Bio degradable garbage bags to passengers started on pilot basis· Escorting ladies special trains and ladies compartment by security squad· Security helpline 182 activated and real time complaint resolution through Twitter employed with a high priority to women security issues· Fitment of CCTV surveillance cameras for women security in trains initiated with first such fitment undertaken in Amritsar-New Delhi-Shan-e Punjab Express· Development of security App over some of the Zonal Railways· Middle bay reserved for women· Pilot Project of Sale of Unreserved Tickets through Hand Held Terminals initiated at Hazrat Nizammudin Railway Station of Northern Railway.II. INFRASTRUCTURECREATION AND SUPPORT TO MAKE IN INDIA INITIATIVE· Indian Railways has taken a giant leap forward in ‘Make in India’ drive by signing Agreement for setting up of Diesel Locomotive Factory (DLF) at Marhowra, Saran district, Bihar for procurement and maintenance of mainline most modern high power Diesel Electric Locomotives with M/s GE Diesel Locomotive Pvt. Ltd. A separate agreement signed with M/S ALSTOM for setting up of electric locomotive factory at Madhepura, Bihar for procurement and maintenance of most modern high power electric locomotives, both major PPP and FDI tenders of Indian Railways. This would be one of the highest FDI’s in India amounting to order book of almost Rs 40,000 Crore.· The Ministry has initiated process for procuring high speed train sets which will improve average speed of passenger carrying trains thereby reducing journey time.· MoU between India and Japan signed for Mumbai–Ahmedabad High Speed Rail Project using Shinkansen Technology covering a total of 508 kms. A new entity named National High Speed Ra Extension of newly introduced cancellation facility for PRS· il Corporation Limited has been set up in February, 2016 to implement the project· Further high speed studies are being conducted by Ministry of Railways on Diamond Quadrilateral High Speed Rail network. Feasibility studies of Delhi- Mumbai, Mumbai- Chennai and Delhi- Kolkata are underway. The feasibility studies of Delhi-Nagpur and Mumbai –Nagpur corridors are being taken up through G2G cooperation with Chinese and Spanish governments respectively· Ministry of Railways launched Gatimaan Express, country’s first semi high speed train with a maximum speed of 160 kmph between Delhi and Agra heralding a new era of high speed rail travel in India· Redevelopment of 400 Stations to be developed on e-bidding on as is where is basis; 10 stations handed over to IRSDC· Indian Railways commissioned 2828 Km of Broad Gauge lines, highest ever in 2015-16 against an average of 1528 Km from 2009-14.· IR commissioned two mega bridges over river Ganga at Patna and Munger.With these, the Railway networks of North and South Bihar have been integrated.· The executions of the biggest infrastructural projects in the country, Eastern and Western DFCs have been fast-tracked. Revised cost estimates have been approved by the Cabinet and funding has been tied up. Rs.25,320 Cr worth of contracts have been awarded in the last two years, which is more than double of the total contracts of Rs.12,240 Cr awarded since commencement. The first ever section on DFC of 56 km between Durgawati-Sasaram has been commissioned. The project is progressing well for commissioning in phases by 2019· Rail Wheel Plant, Bela commissioned and regular production started· Diesel loco factory at Varanasi is being expanded· DEMU factory at Haldia was commissioned and Mid-life Rehabilitation Workshop for coaches at Jhansi completed.· One of the most challenging railway projects, conversion of 1500 V DC to 25000 V AC traction system has been successfully completed over the entire Mumbai division of Central Railway.· During 2014-16, 3105 route kilometres have been electrified, which is an average of 1552.5 RKM/ annum as against 1236 RKM/annum during previous five years.· Construction of Electric Lolo Assembly & Ancillary Unit of CLW at Dankuni in West Bengal completed· Modern LHB Coach manufacturing facility commissioned at ICF Chennai.· The Chhapra factory has started regular production of cast wheels for rolling stock. The installed capacity of the plant is 1Lac wheels per annum.· Foundation stone laid for setting up Traction Alternator Factory at Vidisha to manufacture 100 traction alternators per annum of high horse power diesel locomotives which are currently being imported· Significant boost in elimination of unmanned level crossing which has resulted in safe operations. In 2015-16, a total of 1253 unmanned level crossings were eliminated and 1024 Road over/ Road under bridges were constructed. This marks an improvement of 35% against the average number from 2009-2014III.REFORMS· A Memorandum of Understanding with LIC of India for obtaining funds to the tune of Rs.1.5 lakh Cr signed.· MOF approved issue of tax free bonds by IRFC amounting to Rs.6,000 Cr· Discussions initiated with World Bank for setting up a Railway Infrastructure Development Fund of around USD 30 Bn· Powers delegated and decentralized for improving efficiency and transparency. Measures for E-tendering, E-auctioning, E-ticketing, E-Governance, E-Freight Demand, E-Catering, E-Wheel Chair, E-Concierge etc. takenfor efficiency and transparency· Ministry of Railways (MoR) signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for formation of Joint Venture Companies with six State Governments viz. Odisha, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Chhattisgarh and Telangana. JVs would undertake project development works for an identified basket of projects, which will inter-alia include surveys, preparation of Detailed Project Report (DPR) and getting requisite approvals, processing for sanctioning of identified projects and monitoring· Ministry of Railways conducted world’s largest online exam for recruitment for almost 90 lakh aspirants. With a view to increase transparency, a new system of handing over the Question Booklets to the candidates has been introduced.A pilot project of uploading of Answer Keys and Cut-off marks has also been initiated.· Deloitte, a consulting firm has been engaged for studying the manpower rationalization of the Group A services. Report submitted and is under examination· Four Centres of Railways Research set up in premier educational institutions· Development of an online system initiated for grievance redressal of both serving as well as retired railwaymen· Railways signed MoU to set up its own Railway Design Centre in collaboration with National Institute of Design (NID)· The process for putting in place a regulator “Rail Development Authority” has been initiated. A concept note was uploaded to receive feedback from all stakeholders. Process for drafting of a bill/executive order underway.· 100 % FDI allowed in identified areas of railway sector and sectoral guidelines on FDI formulated· Ministry of Railways implemented 100% E-procurement solution for all kinds of contracts – goods, works and services. It isIndia’s largest e-procurement system· A web-enabled IT-Application “Project Monitoring and Information System (PMIS)” launched which will be implemented in Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramullah Rail Link (USBRL) project, followed by other mega and complex projects of Indian Railways. This will increase transparency in project monitoring· “Technology Mission on Indian Railways (TMIR)” for Development/Research/Innovations in Railway Technologies in association with Department of Science & Technology, MoHRD and representatives of Industry has been set up· Creation of Mobility Directorate in Railway Board’s Office· Creation of Non-Fare Revenue Directorate in Railway Board’s Office· Release of Handout on ‘Railway initiatives for Ease of Doing Business’ and Nomination of ‘Key Customer Managers’IV. GREEN INITIATIVES· Commissioned 26 MW wind mill power plant at Jaisalmer· 10MW Solar Plants installed in two years. Massive solarisation (1000 MW Solar Power Plants) planned in next Five years with an eye on making Railways, the largest solar power producer in the country· Railways provided27,000 bio-toilets in trains in the last two years.A target of 30000 bio-toilets setfor the next financial year· First ‘Green’ DEMU train introduced on Northern Railway to run between Rewari-Rohtak section· A hybrid toilet system, combining best features of a vacuum toilet system and indigenous bio-toilet system has been installed for trial in a First Class air conditioned coach of Dibrugarh Rajdhani which is running wellsince September 2015. The system does not require any waste handling facilities for evacuation and processing of waste. This system uses significantly less quantity of water is used for flushing· A new separate Environment Management Directorate formed to address all environment related issues in a focused and integrated manner· M/s. RITES has been engaged for setting up of two pilot plants at NDLS and JP for disposal for Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) in an environment friendly manner including conversion of Waste to Energy (bio-methanation)· A major push was given to get additional sanction of more than 30 Water Recycling Plants during 2015-16. As against this, less than 30 WRPs have been functioning all these years· Setting up of Automatic Coach Washing Plants in major coach maintenance depots· After field trails, IR has now developed the environmental friendly composite sleepers made up of recycled plastic waste, which will be used over all girder bridges in future for improved maintainability and facilitating higher speeds and higher axle loads.· Indian Railways has started a massive exercise of planting trees alongside Railway Track with the signing agreement with Haryana & Punjab Government in the first phase.V.CLEANLINESS· Indian Railways joined the Swacch Bharat Abhiyan in a big way. It formulated an integrated policy on cleanliness· 27 Charitable Institutions/Social Organizations invited to take part in ‘Swachh Rail, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’ through Shramdaan campaign· Criterion for qualification of OBHS trains revised to include all importantmail &express trains. 7 more Clean Train Stations added and 240 new trains added on OBHS in last two years· “Clean My Coach” Servicelaunched for any cleaning requirement in the coach. A passenger can send an SMS on a mobile number 58888 or book through app and his request is attended to· 16 more mechanised laundries set up in the last two years. Now around 45 percent linen is cleanedthrough mechanised laundries· Intensive mechanised cleaning of coaching in coaching depots through professional agencies – 132 Coaching Depots in different Railways already have the system· Cleaning of 50 major stations has been outsourced to professional agencies· Cleanliness audit through 3rd party started for Railway stations institutionalised. Ranking of stations based on cleanliness would be generated periodicallyVI. CONNECTIVITY IN NORTH EAST AND J&K· Indian Railways completed Udhampur-Katra Broad gauge line in the State of Jammu and Kashmir bringing Katra on Broad Gauge Railway map· Lumding-Silchar Broad gauge section inaugurated giving seamless BG connectivity to Barak Valley of Assam· Meghalaya came on the rail map with the flagging off the first ever train from Guwahati to Medipathar in Meghalaya· The Prime Minister laid the foundation for a new line to take rail connectivity to Mizoram’s capital Aizwal· The Tripura’s Capital Agartala came on the broad gauge rail map· Meter gauge will be fully eliminated in North-East in near future· IR commissioned 545 KM of Broad Gauge lines in North East in 2015-16 in comparison to 110 KM per year from 2009-2014VII.PPP IN RAIL LINE PROJECTS· In 2015-16, Indian Railways generated an investment of Rs.15,000Cr through PPP. This is the highest achieved till now.· Partnership with State Governments, Industry is being encouraged to undertake coal and mining connectivity projects.· To encourage port connectivity projects, thrust has been given to implementation of projects under the participative model policy of 2012. Rail connectivity to Tuna Port at a cost of 142 Cr has been implemented in 2015. Also approvals under Joint Venture model have been granted to build rail connectivity to the ports of Jaigarh (Rs 771 Cr.), Rewas (Rs.349 Cr), and Dighi (Rs.724 Cr.)· Ministry of Railways for the first time has decided to launch three annuity projects Badrak- Nargundi 3rdline (900Cr.), Nagpur – Wardha 3rdline 550Cr. and Kazipet- Vijayawada 3rd line 1566 Cr in the current calendar year.VIII. FREIGHT· Massive rationalization of freight policies initiated· Merry-Go-Round system introduced to capture short lead traffic near steel plants and thermal power house· Post congestion charges withdrawn which will help in increasing traffic from the Ports to hinterland· Two-Point/Multi Point/Mini Rake facility extended to maximize traffic.· Roll on – Roll off scheme launched on Digha Rail Bridge over River Ganges near Patna. Under this scheme loaded trucks would be moved on the flat wagons to avoid congested roads across Ganges· Busy season charge withdrawn.· Automatic Freight Rebate Scheme for traffic loaded in Traditional Empty Flow Direction introduced· Computerized system to register demands for wagons introduced. Electronic forwarding note and Electronic Railway Receipts introduced to enhance efficiency and transparency in freight operations· Liberalised Wagon Investment Scheme, Wagon Leasing Scheme, Special Freight Train Operator Scheme, Private Freight Terminals, Automobile Freight Train Operator Scheme, accelerated to improve freight· Auto hub at Walajabad in Chennai Division developed for automobiles moment· Flagging off of Roll-On-Roll-Off(Ro-Ro) train Ex.-Bihta to Turki in Bihar.IX. SAFETY IN RAIL OPERATIONS· Working towards ‘Zero Accident’ Mission.· TPWS is a safety Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system conforming to European Train Control System (ETCS) Level-1. TPWS trials at 160 Kmph were successfully conducted.· 282 Level Crossing Gates have been interlocked with Signals to enhance safety.· A cost effective indigenous safety system – Train Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) is being developed indigenously by RDSO and the trails are on.· Pilot Project initiated for Improving Safety at Unmanned Level Crossing which include automatic warning to road users through flasher light and Sensing of Obstruction on level crossing and visual warning to train driversX. MISCELLANEOUS· In the last two years, 14 MoUs/MoCs/other agreements for cooperation in rail sector have signed with Railways/Governments of Czech Republic, China, South Korea, Canada, Kazakhstan, Slovak Republic, UK, Japan, Germany, France, Russia & Sweden.· Under Skill India Initiative, 53 locations across the country have been identified by setting up training centres· Indian Railways made successful arrangements to transport drinking water to drought-affected areas of Latur district in Maharashtra· Indian Railways lent helping hand during the Nepal earthquake tragedy by providing ‘Rail Neer’ bottles and by transporting Nepal evacuees· Railways also helped during the J&K floods· Railways were in the forefront in extending help to the Indian nationals returning from Yemen· Indian Railway weightlifters (5 Women & 1 Men) represented India in the Commonwealth Youth; Junior & Senior Weightlifting Championship held at Pune from 11th to 15th November, 201. All Railway players won medals in this Championship· Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed Ministry of Railways and PEC University of Technology for setting up of ‘Kalpana Chawla Chair’ on Geospatial Technology for Indian Railways at PEC University of Technology, ChandigarhPS: First long text were copied from email sent by irctc and second long content is from press information bearueMinistry of RailwaysFootnotes[1] Two Years Achievements of Ministry of Railways (May 2014 to May 2016)

More innovation?There is so much happening right now..where do I start?https://www.tu.no/artikler/danmark-har-gatt-fra-14-kullkraftverk-til-6200-vindmoller-elnettet-fungerer-fortsatt/452258The economic revolution has started. Its personal, corporate, local and global all at once:And most important; The youth , the future of the planet, is aware, awaken and alerted. It’s their future, it’s their right. They care for each other, they care for the world.Greta Thunberg!She is like a bright light. A voice of reason in a time when greed and overconsumption seems to be the default.Greta Thunberg's words speak to larger truths about humanity'Biggest compliment yet': Greta Thunberg welcomes oil chief's 'greatest threat' labelMore on Gretas great movement:Roger Fjellstad Olsen's answer to What do you think about Greta Thunberg, the 16 year old climate activist? Is she a person to admire?Latest:Renewable Energy Now Accounts For A Third Of All Global Power CapacityNearly 200 nations of the world have signed an agreement to actually reduce emissions and more:Paris Agreement: essential elementsThe Paris Agreement builds upon the Convention and for the first time brings all nations into a common cause to undertake ambitious efforts to combat climate change and adapt to its effects, with enhanced support to assist developing countries to do so. As such, it charts a new course in the global climate effort.The Paris AgreementIf the world meets the objectives of the Paris Agreement, it will cause one million lives to be spared only through less air pollution until 2050. It is one of the findings in a report that World Health Organization presented on climate summit in Poland Wednesday.Health benefits far outweigh the costs of meeting climate change goalshttps://apps.who.int/iris/bitstr...Global warming is the biggest global non partisan issue humanity have faced since the threats of World War 3.It can only be solved with global actions. Does it work?Yes. Like this:Because of global actions we see restoration of ecosystems damaged by acid rain worldwide and we are also about to recover the ozone layer as well.“The acid rain problem in Europe and North America has largely abated because of stronger SO2 and NOx emission controls, such as the U.S. Clean Air Act of 1970, the Canada–United States Air Quality Agreement in 1991, and similar measures in Europe. In the United States the first phase of emission reductions took effect in 1995, and subsequent reductions followed”.What Happened to Acid Rain?"The ongoing recovery of Earth's "ozone hole" is a great example of what humans can do when they work together to solve a global atmospheric problem. We look at the key role one NASA mission has played in this success story."The Atmosphere: Tracking the Ongoing Recovery of Earth's Ozone Hole – Climate Change: Vital Signs of the PlanetAfter Decades Of Global Action, The Ozone Layer Is On The Road To RecoveryAfter Decades Of Global Action, The Ozone Layer Is On The Road To RecoveryIt's been 32 years since the world pledged to fix the ozone layer. And it workedAnd probably to the shock of all climate deniers out there; It was done without the installment of a global socialist illuminati dictatorship out to turn the world into a huge wind park.In a rare — and much-needed — environmental win, a UN report says parts of the ozone layer could be fully healed by the 2030s.Ozone at lower latitudes is not recovering, despite Antarctic ozone hole healingMORE JOBS:US green economy has 10 times more jobs than the fossil fuel industryGlobal green economy could create 24 million jobs by 2030A new report released by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) reveals that solar jobs in the US (and other nations) are expanding quickly. As of November 2016, the American solar industry employed 260,077 workers. This is an increase of 24.5 percent from 2015, with a growth rate that is 17 times fasterthan the United States economy as a whole.NextEra Now More Valuable Than Exxon as Clean Power Eclipses OilJust 10% of fossil fuel subsidy cash 'could pay for green transition'Ending fossil fuel subsidies has long been seen as vital to tackling the climate emergency, with the G20 nations pledging in 2009 to phase them out, but progress has been limited. In May, the UN secretary general, António Guterres, attacked subsidies, saying: “What we are doing is using taxpayers’ money – which means our money – to boost hurricanes, to spread droughts, to melt glaciers, to bleach corals. In one word: to destroy the world.”CHEAPER ENERGY:Renewable Energy Costs Take Another Tumble, Making Fossil Fuels Look More Expensive Than EverThe cost of renewable energy has tumbled even further over the past year, to the point where almost every source of green energy can now compete on cost with oil, coal and gas-fired power plants, according to new data released today.Hydroelectric power is the cheapest source of renewable energy, at an average of $0.05 per kilowatt hour (kWh), but the average cost of developing new power plants based on onshore wind, solar photovoltaic (PV), biomass or geothermal energy is now usually below $0.10/kWh. Not far behind that is offshore wind, which costs close to $0.13/kWh.Smarte materialer kan gi grønn energiboomRenewable Energy Costs Take Another Tumble, Making Fossil Fuels Look More Expensive Than EverEIA forecasts renewables will be fastest growing source of electricity generationThe unsubsidised cost of wind and solar now beats coal as the cheapest form of bulk generation in all major economies except Japan, according to the latest levellised cost of electricity analysis by leading energy analyst BloombergNEF.The latest report says the biggest news comes in the two fastest growing energy markets, China and India, where it notes that “not so long ago coal was king”. Not any more.“In India, best-in-class solar and wind plants are now half the cost of new coal plants,” the report says, and this is despite the recent imposition of import tariffs on solar cells and modules.Unsubsidised wind and solar now cheapest form of bulk energyA harsh new reality is undermining the U.S. coal-fired electricity sector: Cleaner generation by way of utility-scale solar backed with storage is an increasingly cheaper option for utility companies than continuing to operate aging coal plants.IEEFA U.S.: Solar-plus-storage is undermining the economics of existing coal-fired generation - Institute for Energy Economics & Financial AnalysisUnsubsidised wind and solar now cheapest form of bulk energyWorld’s Largest Solar Project Will Also Be Its CheapestRenewable energy will be cheaper than fossil fuels by 2020 - The PenIt's now cheaper to build a new wind farm than to keep a coal plant runningThe global transition to clean energy, explained in 12 chartsTHE END OF PETROLEUM IS GETTING CLOSER:BIOFUELS IS COMING SUPER FAST:Norway sees the biggest investment for Blue Crude yet.Eighteen countries from developed economies have had declining carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels for at least a decade. While every nation is unique, they share some common themes that can show Australia, and the world, a viable path to reducing emissions.One could argue this decline is not particularly meaningful because global fossil fuel emissions continued to grow at 2.2% per year during the same period. However, this group of countries is responsible for 28% of the global CO₂ emissions from fossil fuelsEighteen countries showing the way to carbon zeroMore and more countries are preparing for the end of the Petroleum Age:The Powering Past Coal Alliance is a coalition of national and sub-national governments, businesses and organisations working to advance the transition from unabated coal power generation to clean energy.Powering Past Coal Alliance | Working towards the global phase-out of unabated coal powerSix new Powering Past Coal Alliance members announced at COP24 | Powering Past Coal AllianceClimate deniers in the year 1900:-”What do you mean giving up my horse and cart for this ugly gasolin driven black box on wheels? How am I going to cross the desert in this? There are no gasolin stations in the desert!!! And hardly any roads. My horse dont need roads nor gasolin.”Israel: Israel to stop electricity production from coal by 2030Angela Merkel’s government agreed to support a $60 billion package of climate policies aimed at getting Germany back on track to meet its goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. Critics say the package "lacks courage" and doesn't go far enough.Germany Unveils $60 Billion Climate PackageGermany - Germany Closes Its Last Black Coal MineGermany Closes Its Last Active Coal Mine, Ending 200-year-old IndustryGermany agrees to end reliance on coal stations by 2038German states want to ban petrol and diesel cars by 2030Renewables overtake coal as Germany's main energy source60% av tysk kraftproduksjon i februar 2020 var fornybar. Brunkull er helt på vei ut, svartkull følger etter. Fornybar er fremtiden.Nettostromerzeugung im Februar zu mehr als 60 Prozent erneuerbar – Braunkohle erreicht TiefststandFornybarrekord i Tyskland: Kullbruken faller kraftigGermany has unveiled a zero-emissions train that only emits waterFrance - France to ban sales of petrol and diesel cars by 2040Europe steams towards coal exit - researchMore Offshore Wind For FranceAustralia: Australia’s main grid hits new peak of 41 per cent wind and solarAustralia’s capital city switches to 100% renewable energySouth Australia could reach stunning 87 per cent wind and solar in four yearsCosta Rica Becomes the First Nation to Ban Fossil Fuels - MediumThe Netherlands: Amsterdam to ban petrol and diesel cars and motorbikes by 2030The UK - UK commits to 'net zero' emissions by 2050The UK - Wants production of petrol and diesel cars to end by 2040The UK: Why the City of London is considering a non-electric car banFinland - Finland pledges to become carbon neutral by 2035Norway: Departementet godkjenner utbyggingen av Hywind TampenEquinor, SSE win British contract for largest offshore wind projectNorway - Electric car sales grew by 40% in Norway this yearTesla Model 3 pushes Norway’s EV sales to new record: 58% of new cars are electricNorway is the leading market for electric vehicles and it keeps showing the rest of the world how fast electric vehicle adoption can happen.In 2018, EV sales grew by 40% in Norway and 1 out of 3 vehicles sold in the market was a zero-emission vehicle.Electric cars may already be making gas cars as obsolete as ‘flip phones’, experts sayBuying a gas car today would leave you with a financial "albatross" that has little resale value, warns Wall Street Journal.These companies are leading the fight against climate changePlunging prices for batteries and renewables are driving an electric vehicle (EV) revolution so rapidly that the economics of oil “are now in relentless and irreversible decline.”That’s the startling conclusion of a detailed new analysis for “professional investors” of the economics of EVs versus gasoline cars produced by BNP Paribas, the world’s eighth largest bank by total assets.One of the world’s largest banks thinks the writing is on the wall for the oil industrySalesforce Leads 21 Companies With Plan to Fight Climate Change Through TechnologyWith government on the sidelines, businesses address climate changeCorporations Are Stepping in to Combat Climate Change | JPMorgan Chase & Co.Google to Invest $2 Billion in Wind and Solar EnergyAnalysis: India’s CO2 emissions growth poised to slow sharply in 2019China and India Emerge as Leaders on Climate ChangeWhen China agreed to sign on to the Paris accord, it was not only hailed as a breakthrough in policy coordination, but as a sign that China was getting serious about the enormous size of its carbon footprint and was ready to commit to protecting against the effects of climate change.China and India Emerge as Leaders on Climate Change | The Takeaway | WNYCOne of India’s largest coal-mining states says it will not build new coal power plantsChina Built The World's Biggest Air Purifying Tower And It Works!Bad news for coal: India lands world’s largest, super cheap solar and storage tenderSlik får Kina fart i sol- og vindkraftChina and India are doing a lot to go green:11 countries leading the charge on renewable energy - Climate CouncilThe U.S. Has a Fleet of 300 Electric Buses. China Has 421,000The U.S. Has a Fleet of 300 Electric Buses. China Has 421,000The nine biggest solar power plants in the worldWhy China, and not the US, is the leader in solar powerHow China's giant solar farms are transforming world energyThe Breakneck Rise of China’s Colossus of Electric-Car Batteries | Bloomberg NEFChina builds world's biggest solar farm in journey to become green superpower #GlobalWarningChina Just Exceeded its 2020 Target for Solar InstallationsChina - Beijing’s plan to stop producing petrol and diesel carsChina Meets 2020 Carbon Target Three Years Ahead of ScheduleWind & Solar In China Generating 2× Nuclear Today, Will Be 4× By 2030China pledges to strengthen climate planFull speed ahead for China’s high-speed rail network in 2019Electric Buses Put The Big Hurt On Fossil Fuel CompaniesChina buys one out of every two electric vehicles sold globally6 of 10 Big Electric Car Companies Are in ChinaE-Bikes Already At $1.5 Billion Annual Revenue & Being Fought For GloballyChina’s emissions ‘could peak 10 years earlier than Paris climate pledge’China’s State Grid Envisions Global Wind-and-Sun Power NetworkCan China pick up US slack on climate change?India - India to sell only electric cars by 2030India just cancelled 14 huge coal-fired power stations as solar energy prices hit record lowOne of India’s largest coal-mining states says it will not build new coal power plantsThe Carbon Brief Profile: IndiaUSA: - US on pace for record coal retirements in 2018, IEEFA findsRENEWABLE ENERGY: U.S. readies first wind-powered steel plantUSA: A major U.S. electric utility has finally realized climate change is realityAUSTRALIA: Landmark Australian ruling rejects coal mine over global warmingAustralia Leads Global Renewable Energy RevolutionAustralia could hit 100% renewables sooner than most people think | Nicky IsonThe Netherlands - Confirms plan to ban new petrol and diesel cars by 2030Influencers, Articles and ConversationsMIT's conceptual "sun-in-a-box" energy storage system plugs into molten siliconGoing green is getting cheaper and cheaper:Renewable Energy Now Accounts For A Third Of All Global Power CapacitySouth Korea to implement Green New Deal after ruling party election winSolar and wind power cheaper than fossil fuels for the first timeSomething revolutionary has just happened to solar power, and it could change everythingRenewable energy will be cheaper than fossil fuels by 2020 - The PenThis is how coal dies — super cheap renewables (This is how coal dies — super cheap renewables plus battery storage) plus battery storagehttps://www.climaterealityproject.org/sites/climaterealityproject.org/files/Solar_Myths_Updated.pdfAging coal, natural gas and nuclear sites closing as nation shifts to wind, solarAnd Now, the Really Big Coal Plants Begin to CloseIt's now cheaper to build a new wind farm than to keep a coal plant runningHow Electric Cars and Renewables Could Beat Oil6 Myths About Renewable Energy, Busted! (6 Myths About Renewable Energy, Busted!)Many large car producers are already on the same track:This is Toyota's plan to stop making gas and diesel carsTesla & Rivals May Kill The Petrol Car As Early As 2025Tesla's Battery In South Australia Breaks Stranglehold Of Natural Gas IndustryYes, Electric Vehicles Work In Winter — Better Than Gas Cars!Even electric cars powered by the dirtiest electricity emit fewer emissions than diesel cars, says new study - ElectrekVOLVO WILL STOP PRODUCING GAS-ONLY CARS BY 2019Opec faces a mortal threat from electric carsAnd that’s just cars. Flying on Alternative Fuels.Why the age of electric flight is finally upon usThe Dutch Are Readying A Climate Tax On Flying, And The EU May FollowEven Lego is abandoning petroleum:Lego to stop producing petroleum-based plastic bricksMORE AND MORE OIL COMPANIES AGREES ON AGW AND WORKS TO REDUCE GAS EMISSIONS.Its over.Climate change skeptics have outlived their usefulness to the fossil fuel industry.Climate deniers are like those japanese soldiers who was unaware that the war had ended 60 years ago.GCI is a voluntary, CEO-led initiative which aims to lead the industry response to climate change. Launched in 2014, OGCI is currently made up of ten oil and gas companies that pool expert knowledge and collaborate on action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.http://oilandgasclimateinitiativ...BP:Renewable energy sources will be the world’s main source of power within two decades and are establishing a foothold in the global energy system faster than any fuel in history, according to BP.The UK-based oil company said wind, solar and other renewables will account for about 30% of the world’s electricity supplies by 2040, up from 25% in BP’s 2040 estimates last year, and about 10% today.In regions such as Europe, the figure will be as high as 50% by 2040. The speed of growth was without parallel, the company said in its annual energy outlook.Renewable energy will be world's main power source by 2040, says BPRenewable Energy Now Accounts For A Third Of All Global Power CapacityOUR FUTURE ENERGY SYSTEM: THE SMART GRIDWHAT IS A SMART GRID?“A smart grid is a system that can connect (and switch between) a number of energy sources (solar, wind, etc.), at many different sites, to provide a constant flow of electricity to users. It allows us to create a network of electricity production sites that spread over a wide area. So for example, it would allow you to create solar power on the roof of your house, and feed extra power back into the grid. This is part of what makes the grid “smart”: components can “talk” and “listen” to each other, making the supply of electricity much more flexible, reliable, and efficient. With smart grid solutions, we are no longer just passive consumers of energy, but active producers and consumers of clean energy – prosumers!An electricity grid – the system that connects power stations to consumers – can handle large shares of variable renewable energy if it is designed to do so. Adding wind and solar on top of ‘business as usual’ is not how it works. What’s needed is a gradual transformation of the whole energy system to accommodate modern energy production and consumption.Typically the ones who claim that wind and solar will bring trouble to the gridare the old players, who failed to take renewable energy seriously and over-invested in fossil fuel capacities instead. Renewable energy is now eating their profits and making their old business models out-of-date. SourceIn reality, Europe, for example, can switch to 77% renewable electricity by 2030 while maintaining affordable security of supply.” SourceHow three battery types work in grid energy storage systemsWhat is the Smart Grid?NEW TECHNOLOGY IS COMING SUPER FAST:Renewable energy materials are one of the hottest areas of scientific research today. We looked at four advanced materials that are supporting the future of distributed power and helping businesses meet the growing demand for clean energy.http://gereports.ca/four-cutting-edge-materials-shaping-future-renewables/#Google Maps Now Features EV Charging Stations #NewsQuickieThis is how coal dies — super cheap renewables plus battery storage.Look, no lithium! First rechargeable proton battery createdhttps://www.theguardian.com/tech..."Bird-Safe" Wind Turbines May Soon Take FlightUS Military Bases Using Solar, Wind, & Battery Storage For Energy SecurityFalling battery costs to push solar, wind to 50% electricity by 2050New battery could store wind and solar electricity affordably and at room temperatureWater-based battery stores solar and wind energy: What is now a prototype could one day lead to an industrial-grade system to store alternative energy to feed into the electric gridStudy shows how to improve production at wind farmsJapan Discovered a Rare-Earth Mineral Deposit This Year That Can Supply The World For CenturiesCheaper Battery Is Unveiled as a Step to a Carbon-Free Grid24-Hour Solar Energy: Molten Salt Makes It Possible, and Prices Are Falling FastStacking concrete blocks is a surprisingly efficient way to store energyWhat Long Duration Energy Storage Is & Why It Kills CoalTesla's Battery In South Australia Breaks Stranglehold Of Natural Gas IndustryEven electric cars powered by the dirtiest electricity emit fewer emissions than diesel cars, says new study - ElectrekGoogle Maps Now Features EV Charging Stations #NewsQuickiehttps://www.elbil24.no/lading/vil-bygge-n-million-ladestasjoner/71931863?fbclid=IwAR3Qyv-bok6jym8xqOao7DTFxqjkAd25jcS16R1OvbcFSz2QN9GioD9G98Ahttps://www.elbil24.no/lading/vil-bygge-n-million-ladestasjoner/71931863?fbclid=IwAR3Qyv-bok6jym8xqOao7DTFxqjkAd25jcS16R1OvbcFSz2QN9GioD9G98AFive things you can do to fight climate change1. Eat less meat, particularly beef2. Consider your transportation3. Insulate homes4. Reduce, recycle, reuse5. VoteTen simple ways to act on climate changeFive things you can do to fight climate changeClimate change: focusing on how individuals can help is very convenient for corporations“Our only hope is to change the energy and transportation infrastructure of our society — for us to drive electric cars powered by clean energy sources like wind, solar, nuclear and hydropower. We must advocate for clean energy production at all levels — energy that doesn’t emit greenhouses gases — and especially vote in representatives who recognize the the threat of global warming and will do something about it at the state and national level.”David Appell's answer to What causes global warming to start? And how do we control it?Why should I sacrifice when big companies are to blame for climate change?The Five Stages of Climate OptimismIn recent years the costs of wind and solar energy have declined substantially. Today renewable technologies are the most economical solution for new capacity in a growing number of countries and regions, and are typically the most economic solution for new grid-connected capacity where good resources are available.• Citigroup: The age of renewable energy is beginning. Increasingly cost competitive with coal, gas and nuclear in the US. Source• HSBC: Wind energy is now cost competitive with new-build coal capacity in India. Solar to reach parity around 2016-18. Source• Deutsche Bank: solar now competitive without subsidies in at least 19 markets globally. In 2014 prices to decline further. Source• Unsubsidised renewable energy is now cheaper than electricity from new coal and gas fired power plants in Australia. SourceRENEWABLE ENERGY BENEFITS:1. reduction and ultimate elimination of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the energy sector;2. reductions in air and water pollution, water use and land degradation;3. reduction in respiratory diseases and cancers from pollution;4. energy security for as long as human civilization exists;5.a cap on energy costs, because most RE sources have no fuel costs;6.more local jobs, per unit of energy generated, than fossil or nuclear power;7. no risk of causing a nuclear war, or radioactive waste escape, or devastating accident.Why 100% renewable energy is feasible – INSURGE intelligence – MediumSaving the life of 600 000 children every year:WHO says air pollution kills 600,000 children every yearIf we are to reach the 2 C goal, emissions must begin to descend, and then sink rapidly for decades. That this will require a blend of renewable energy, efficiency, carbon capture and CO2 removal from the atmosphere, we can say without taking a strong political standpoint. But the concrete solutions become political. Do we choose to facilitate strong growth in solar power and a global carbon tax that will go beyond the fossil industry? Are we focusing on carbon capture and storage, which can extend the use of oil and gas? Do we have the capacity to do both, which will be even better for the climate, without going beyond the rest of society?Researchers should not take these choices. However, their job is to help understand the consequences of them. The challenge for the dissemination is that the debate debate moves beyond the research front.The scientific method is slow and thoughtful by nature. Are we supposed to say that we would like to have a few decades to consider every single measure? Or should we dare to guide, with the proviso that we speak out of the best of today's knowledge?In my opinion, our social responsibility requires us to do more of the last than we do today.THE BEST REASONS:No more oil spills:Top 10 LARGEST OIL SPILLS IN HISTORYCOAL IS DEAD IN THE WATER:Toxic air, water, soils and workplaces are responsible for the diseases that kill one in every six people around the world, the landmark report found, and the true total could be millions higher because the impact of many pollutants are poorly understood. The deaths attributed to pollution are triple those from Aids, malaria and tuberculosis combined. The vast majority of the pollution deaths occur in poorer nations and in some, such as India, Chad and Madagascar, pollution causes a quarter of all deaths. The international researchers said this burden is a hugely expensive drag on developing economies.https://thinkprogress.org/lamber...https://www.oxfordstudent.com/2020/04/20/oxford-university-passes-motion-banning-investment-in-fossil-fuels/Exxon's market value has crumbled by $184 billionJust 100 companies responsible for 71% of global emissions, study saysNearly half of world’s coal plants run at a loss, study findsThe Other Reason to Shift away from Coal: Air Pollution That Kills Thousands Every YearCoal Power Plants Face $7.3 Billion Losses in Europe in 2019How Britain ended its coal addictionJP Morgan economists warn climate crisis is threat to human raceAmerica's largest private coal miner files for bankruptcyEleven coal companies have filed for bankruptcy since Trump took officeShutdown of US coal power facilities saved over 26,000 lives, study findsTrump isn't saving coalTrump’s New Pollution Rules Still Won’t Save the Coal IndustryCoal Is Dead No Matter What Trump SaysThe coal miners themselves are going to solar and wind:“Coal is over. Forget coal,” said Jimmy Simpkins, who worked as a coalminer in the area for 29 years. “It can never be back to what it was in our heyday. It can’t happen. That coal is not there to mine.”“It’s a racket. Miners are being robbed every day,” said Bethel Brock, who was a coalminer for 32 years in Wise, Virginia. Between 1968 to 2014, an estimated 76,000 coalminers died of black lung disease. He fought coal companies for 14 years to secure his own black lung benefits after he was diagnosed.'Coal is over': the miners rooting for the Green New DealIn rural Colorado, the kids of coal miners learn to install solar panelsWyoming could lead US green energy push with wind power | DW | 24.01.2021Chevron Is Installing Solar Panels — To Produce Oil More CheaplySunnier times ahead for coal workers in renewables, tech | Powering Past Coal Alliance“There's never any debate about Einstein's theory of special relativity. They never question the revolution wrought by electronics. They revel in high-speed travel. And when it comes to health, they demand the latest and the very best.But with climate — or more specifically electricity generation — they blanch at the idea of moving much beyond 1776, the year James Watt improved Thomas Newcomen's steam engine.Setting fire to coal and boiling up a big pot of water so the steam can turn a machine is apparently the pinnacle of modern electricity generation and a point beyond which we shouldn't venture, regardless of cost.”Biden pauses onshore and offshore drilling leases, orders subsidy reviews (worldoil.com)The future of coal has already been decided in boardrooms around the globeGlobal fossil fuel subsidies totaled $544 billion in 2012, compared to only $101 billion for renewables. The International Monetary Fund estimates fossil fuel subsidies for 2015 to be $5.3 trillion - an amount equal to 6.5% of global GDP. More than 40% of this represents subsidies for coal, the most environmentally damaging of all fossil fuels. Although not good news on its face, the disproportionate funding for fossil fuels represents a tremendous opportunity to shift funding to renewable energy without an overall increase in costs.Global Subsidies - Fossil Fuels vs. Renewables — Environmental GraphitiGreen energy feels the heat as subsidies go to fossil fuelsHow Big Oil Clings to Billions in Government Giveawayshttps://www.motherjones.com/poli...Fossil fuel subsidies are a staggering $5 tn per yearA new study finds 6.5% of global GDP goes to subsidizing dirty fossil fuelsThe International Monetary Fund estimates fossil fuel subsidies for 2015 to be $5.3 trillion - an amount equal to 6.5% of global GDP.https://www.theguardian.com/envi...https://www.sciencedirect.com/sc...Over the past century, the federal government has pumped more than $470 billion into the oil and gas industry in the form of generous, never-expiring tax breaks. Once intended to jump-start struggling domestic drillers, these incentives have become a tidy bonus for some of the world’s most profitable companies.Taxpayers currently subsidize the oil industry by as much as $4.8 billion a year, with about half of that going to the big five oil companies—ExxonMobil, Shell, Chevron, BP, and ConocoPhillips—which get an average tax break of $3.34 on every barrel of domestic crude they produce. With Washington looking under the couch cushions for sources of new revenue, oil prices topping $100 a barrel, and the world feeling the heat from its dependence on fossil fuels, there’s been a renewed push to close these decades-old loopholes. But history suggests that Big Oil won’t let go of its perks without a brawl.https://www.sciencedirect.com/sc...A new paper published in Climatic Change estimates that when we account for the pollution costs associated with our energy sources, gasoline costs an extra $3.80 per gallon, diesel an additional $4.80 per gallon, coal a further 24 cents per kilowatt-hour, and natural gas another 11 cents per kilowatt-hour that we don’t see in our fuel or energy bills.https://www.ucsusa.org/clean-ene...The United States has spent more subsidizing fossil fuels in recent years than it has on defense spending, according to a new report from the International Monetary Fund.The IMF found that direct and indirect subsidies for coal, oil and gas in the U.S. reached $649 billion in 2015. Pentagon spending that same year was $599 billion.Study: U.S. Fossil Fuel Subsidies Exceed Pentagon SpendingIMF Survey : Counting the Cost of Energy SubsidiesWhy are taxpayers subsidising the oil and gas companies that jeopardise our future?Instead of hoping market forces solve the climate crisis, the government needs to stop giving tax breaks to pollutersWhy are taxpayers subsidising the oil and gas companies that jeopardise our future? | Clive LewisThe economic costs of air pollution from fossil fuels are estimated at US$2.9 trillion in 2018, or 3.3% of global GDP, far exceeding the likely costs of rapid reductions in fossil fuel use. An estimated 4.5 million people died in 2018 due to exposure to air pollution from fossil fuels. On average, each death was associated with a loss of 19 years of life. ● Fossil fuel PM2.5 pollution was responsible for 1.8 billion days of work absence, 4 million new cases of child asthma and 2 million preterm births, among other health impacts that affect healthcare costs, economic productivity and welfare.De økonomiske kostnadene ved luftforurensning fra fossile brensler anslås til 2,9 billion dollar i 2018, eller 3,3% av verdens BNP, som langt overstiger de sannsynlige kostnadene for raske reduksjoner i fossilt brensel bruk.● Anslagsvis 4,5 millioner mennesker døde i 2018 på grunn av eksponering for luftforurensning fra fossil brensel. I gjennomsnitt var hvert dødsfall assosiert med et tap på 19 år i livet.● Forurensning av fossilt brensel PM2.5 var ansvarlig for 1,8 milliarder dager fravær, 4 millioner nye tilfeller av barneastma og 2 millioner for tidlige fødsler, blant andre helsemessige påvirkninger av helsetjenester, økonomisk produktivitet og velferd.https://energyandcleanair.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Cost-of-fossil-fuels-briefing.pdfUnited States Spend Ten Times More On Fossil Fuel Subsidies Than EducationThe fossil fuel lobby has actively worked in many countries to protect their subsidies and avoid the imposition of carbon taxes. Doing so protects their profits.US spent on these subsidies in 2015 is more than the country’s defense budget and 10 times the federal spending for educationUnited States Spend Ten Times More On Fossil Fuel Subsidies Than EducationNo wonder then:Trump Administration Rebrands Fossil Fuels As "Molecules Of U.S. FreedomWe want a cleaner world and the end of all the socialist subsidies for oil and coal:Roger Fjellstad Olsen's answer to How can we combat climate change?Roger Fjellstad Olsen's answer to How will we ever truly battle global warming when going green is only afforded by the wealthy?BONUS:What simple truths in your opinion Liberals "get" that Republicans simply don't seem to understand?In no particular order:“Voluntary charity” doesn’t work. We’ve tried it in the past — it’s like trying to fight a forest fire with a water gun that only works when it wants to, not when you need it to.The existence of public social safety nets is a win-win-win for the poor, middle class, and the rich. The cost in taxpayer dollars is more than offset by the benefits.Tax cuts are only beneficial when taxes are absurdly high. The US is far, far beyond the point where further tax cuts will benefit the country.Taxing the extremely wealthy at higher rates than the rest of the country is morally justified and pragmatically desirable.What’s good for corporate profit margins isn’t necessarily good for the country as a whole. There are other priorities which need to come first.Building on #5, protecting the environment is both a moral imperative and an economic benefit. Our natural environment is an enormous source of health and wealth. Keeping it safe and healthy at all costs is infinitely more important than keeping the oil and gas industries profitable.Building on #5, what’s good for stakeholders and business owners isn’t necessarily good for workers or consumers. The interests of all of these parties need to be factored into economic policy.Politics is about compromise and tradeoffs. No one can have everything they want.“Free” markets are more of an ideal than a reality. Real-world markets have all sorts of inherent imperfections and imbalances which necessitate government intervention.Government regulation of businesses is not axiomatically bad. Some businesses don’t like it, but that’s not important.If you can’t take it, you shouldn’t be dishing it out. You can’t spend 30+ years whining about how “political correctness” is “stifling” you, and then get your knickerbockers in a bunch when liberals/Democrats/progressives insult you in return.Words matter. They can inspire people to heroism or incite them to violence. Politically-motivated violence doesn’t happen overnight. It’s normalized, slowly, word by word and mindset by mindset. The politically-motivated violence we have seen recently in this country didn’t come from nowhere — it is the culmination of a President and a GOP which has been verbally assaulting political opponents and pushing already-unhinged followers over the edge. Certain forms of rhetoric send subtle signals to neo-Nazis, anti-Semites, and white supremacists that the time has come to act.The Republican Party of Trump is not “conservative.” The only true conservatives in your community have denounced your party.Christopher Anderson's answer to What simple truths in your opinion Liberals "get" that Republicans simply don't seem to understand?

Come November 8, 2017, it will be one year since the Prime Minister Narendra Modi made the grand announcement to demonetise 84% of the country’s legal tender. As grand announcements go, this one tops the charts – filled with valiant sentiments, exhorting 125 crore Indian citizens to sacrifice their convenience for the greater good of the nation. The citizens were told that with some sacrifice, black money, corruption, Benami transactions, terrorism and counterfeit currency, among other evil things that haunt India today, will be eradicated.Close to one year after the announcement, it is now clear, even to the most ardent admirers of Mr Modi, that demonetisation has been an abysmal failure – a failure which not only exposed the PM’s colossal hubris but his utter lack of understanding of the functioning of the Indian economy.A relook at the points of failure of demonetisation will make for a salutary lesson.Mr Modi seemed to have made multiple errors in judgement. First, in thinking that demonetisation is going to cure India of its numerous maladies and next in assuming that the hardships imposed by demonetisation will go away in two months.Much was said and done about how the black money stashed under mattresses, in closets and other such dark places, will be made useless after demonetisation. The public was baited with the estimates of 3 to 4 lakh crores of black money that would not be returned to the RBI but instead will be deposited in people’s Jan Dhan accounts the government. Visions of black money hoarders dumping their dirty currency in rivers and canals or setting them on fire in helpless fury made regular headlines in the early days of demonetisation.But one month into the exercise, it was clear that all the demonetised currency was on its way back to the RBI. By December 15, with still two weeks go for the last date of currency exchange, 12.44 lakh crores out of the total Rs. 15.44 lakh crore of demonetised currency was back with RBI. The estimate that Rs. 3 lakh crore black money will be unearthed, started to look shaky. Many economists pointed out that since only 4% of India’s black money (government’s own estimate) is held in the form of currency, most of the currency will come to the banks.Then Mr Modi, being the nimble political player that he is, changed his tack. Now the fight was not against black money anymore but on cash itself. The next 15 days, Mr Modi and his machinery spent much of their time in making people feel guilty for possessing cash, for using cash and for even thinking of cash. Gone was the talk of black money. Now cash was the new malady, which he was determined to eradicate.This too turned out to be a dead end. With no reliable internet connectivity in much of the country, few smartphones and not enough PoS machines at the retail stores – Indians refused to be coerced into using electronic money. The economy shrunk as a result, with the growth rate falling to a three-year low. The rural economy was particularly hard hit, despite the bumper crop. Thousands of small business units, employing millions of Indians went belly up due to the lack of demand. Many a migrant labour went back to their villages for lack of work.Mr Modi drained the lifeblood out of the Indian economy along with the cash. The new infusion of cash came in such slow spurts that the economy continues to limp till date. Even now, after nearly one-year, full remonetisation has not happened. Compared to the first day of demonetisation, the economy is still short of Rs. 2 lakh crore cash.All the hype about Indians shifting away from cash to electronic money remained at just that. According to the latest data available, the transactions using credit and debit cards at PoS as well as instruments like mobile wallets has increased only by Rs. 19 thousand crores since the month of demonetisation. An increase of 19 thousand crores can hardly compensate for a cash shortage of Rs. 2 lakh crores. This small increase in the cashless transactions was something that was happening anyway over the years. It did not need the wholesale sacrifice that the PM was demanding of his subjects.Coming to the promise of eradicating terrorism, the less said about it the better.With demonetisation, the PM vowed to put an end to the dastardly deeds of the villains, who come and operate in India with bundles of fake currency printed in Pakistan. Sadly, the terror attacks show no sign of declining even now. In the entire year of 2016, 382 individuals - both civilians and personnel of security forces died due to terror-related incidents. This year, with still two months remaining, already 315 people lost their lives in such attacks.The simple fact that terror-related deaths have fallen from 2200 in the year 1995 to 1650 in 2005, and then to 336 deaths in 2015 - all before demonetisation - indicates that there are probably better ways to deal with terrorism. By reducing the complex problem of terrorism to a simple issue of fake notes, Modi set himself on a course for a failure from the start.As it turned out, only 0.0027% of the Rs.15.28 lakh crores of currency returned to RBI was counterfeit. 100 people lost their lives and the country went through a trauma just for a measly 0.0027% of counterfeit currency?To add insult to injury, even before the deadline for demonetisation was over, counterfeit notes of the new notes were doing rounds. Just two weeks into demonetisation counterfeits 2000 rupee notes were found on terrorist killed in Jammu and Kashmir.What does it all of this boil down to?98.96% of the demonetised currency is back with RBI. And it wouldn't be hard to accept that the paltry Rs. 16 thousand crores that have not come back may just be the un-exchanged cash of poor people - who could not exchange their cash because Mr Modi abruptly shut the window for exchange on December 31. Even after he promised that everyone can still exchange their currency at RBI branches till March 31. The country has spent Rs. 21 thousand crores in printing new currency and much more in terms of the income and employment and businesses that were lost and destroyed.The people who did have black money, some of whom are BJP leaders, quietly converted their currency through various means. Some people like Amit Shah’s son Jay Shah, have thrived even under demonetisation. As the recent kid-glove treatment given to Adani in the coal scam and power equipment scam shows, it is business as usual for crony capitalists and corrupt politicians.Demonetisation boils down to the biggest political scam, India has ever seen, run by its Prime Minister. And its victims? 130 crore odd India’s Aam Janata.