I presume all these thoughts and contraries stem from the minds of those only living in first world, crowded, green cities and villages, all linked by nice tarred roads, working sewage systems and piped water, with door to door deliveries and cell phone connection all day and everywhere??
What about the rest of the ordinary world? When Britain, America, and I presume most of Europe goes electric ( whatever that means..) , and diesels are outlawed, or at the very best, severely diminished, what do we do in Africa?
All very well being electric in Johannesburg, or Cape town, etc… I live in Namibia, and together with many people here, have to travel vast distances, with many gravel roads, and not many fuel stops, with over 90% of electricity imported from Zambia and South Africa. And South Africa is in deep dwang with Escom almost bankrupt, and with an electrical production capability some 60% of what South Africa needs.
I am quite active in the conservation arena ( Big Cats) and in my 'work' travel for 7 to 10 days at a time, 8 to 10 times a year, in areas not seeing ANY fuel stops at all. I travel in a 4.2L straight Six BIG Diesel Land cruiser, and have enough in the aux tanks to do 1800km. I have to survive out in the nowhere for 10 days, food, water, fuel, tyres, etc. Many Tour operators endure the same issue. 60% of Namibia's income is Wildlife tourism. If you travel to the Northen areas here, some of the more popular tourist destinations – Sesfontein being very popular, there are 2 (YES , TWO!) fuel stops between Swakopmund ( where I live) , and Sesfontein, some 600km – One 70km from Swakopmund, and one in Sesfontein – the latter having no fuel 2 out of 5 visits…Transport of good in Namibia, indeed in Africa, is over 1000's of kilometers, rough roads, NO ELECTRICITY in sight, few fuel stops…
The gravel roads chew tires – 3 out of five 2000km trips I replace at least one tyre – torn to shreds.
Electric is a non-starter in this country, so all that will happen is that the cost of IC engined vehicle for sale in this country ( and ALL of Africa) will simply rocket since the world wide sales will be down due to the greens..Diesel will STILL be produced, but consumption will be limited due to non-use by the greenies, and so the cost per liter will likewise rocket.
So in the end, the third world countries will simply become poorer, tourism will decline as it will cost more, tanking water by road to 10's of thousands of locals in very remote villages during the drought will diminish, ( and we are in a severe drought, deepening now for 2 years running).
Even the one and only train between Windhoek and Swakopmund is Damn Big Diesel.
And this scenario is not unique to Namibia – many parts of the rest of Africa are in much poorer shape!
But then Trump did call us the Sh1thole of Africa…
Its all well to be so close minded and think only of solutions for yourself. Its also nice to sit in a comfy armchair, believing that the all the other things – like wildlife conservation, the bush of Africa, etc, are being taken care of by 'someone else'…
Far to easy to be dogmatic about 'going green' when the biggest stress in your life is a trip down the road to the Fish and Chip shop… I understand the need to change, and that a cities vehicle traffic is destroying the Earths Lungs, but huge improvements can be made by the worlds leading countries by looking at the major problem contributors first, like air travel ( but that would hurt those who live in their armchairs) , shipping, etc…Taking the selfish and easy political simpler route is just that – selfish, as well as narrow minded.
My Rant..
Joe


