Global warming, climate change, all these things are just a dream come true for politicians. I deal with evidence and not with frightening computer models because the seeker after truth does not put his faith in any consensus. The road to the truth is long and hard, but this is the road we must follow. People who describe the unprecedented comfort and ease of modern life as a climate disaster, in my opinion have no idea what a real problem is.
On episode 110 of The Climate Realism Show, we are going to highlight some new ammunition for our side in the “climate war”, notably our website, Climate at a Glance which is now updated with videos and an app for your phone.
On episode 110 of The Climate Realism Show, we are going to highlight some new ammunition for our side in the “climate war”, notably our website, Climate at a Glance which is now updated with videos and an app for your phone.
Research fellow, Linnea Lueken has produced several companion videos to go with each page at ClimateataGlance.com, we’ll preview the first two this week. Plus, we’ll discuss our new app.
Join host Anthony Watts, The Heartland Institute’s H. Sterling Burnett, and Linnea Lueken for the preview. And, as always, we have the Crazy Climate News of the Week. Join us LIVE at 1 p.m. ET (12 p.m. CT) for the kind of climate realism you can’t find anywhere else, and join the chat to get your questions answered, too.
Follow us on Instagram :point_right: @HeartlandInstitute We’re on Facebook :point_right: The Heartland Institute Follow Linnea on Twitter :point_right: @LinneaLueken Support this content :point_right: Donate – The Heartland Institute
Climate change news seems to be taking the Chinese line on the tariff issue – but who expected anything different?
President Joe Biden signs executive orders on health care in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on January 28. Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images
Climate change news seems to be taking the Chinese line on the tariff issue – but who expected anything different?
Days after climate talks, US slaps tariffs on Chinese EVs and solar panels
Published on 15/05/2024, 5:21pm
The measures are designed to increase the cost of Chinese goods needed for the energy transition – and could therefore slow the US shift away from fossil fuels
Five days after seemingly cordial US-China climate talks, US President Joe Biden has announced he will increase US tariffs on US tariffs, electric vehicles (EVs) and batteries to run them.
Last Wednesday and Thursday, China’s new top climate diplomat Liu Zhenmin travelled to Washington DC for two days of talks with his US counterpart John Podesta, also fresh in the job.
They discussed co-operation on climate issues, including plans for both sides to ramp up renewables, and vowed to “intensify technical and policy exchanges”.
But the day after, with Liu still in the country, the US State Department briefed journalists that Podesta had told Liu that China was producing too many solar panels and lithium-ion EV batteries.
Then on Tuesday, the White House increased tariffs on Chinese EVs, lithium-ion batteries and solar panels, accusing the Chinese government of “unfair, non-market practices” and “flooding global markets with artificially low-priced exports”.
Regardless of China’s understandable confusion on where they stand with the Bidens and the US renewable industry, I doubt these tariffs will improve the circumstances of US solar manufacturers. There are too many barriers for US solar manufacturers to be globally competitive, such as the USA’s increasingly expensive energy and tough environmental regulations, and the door is still open to imports from other nations with lower manufacturing costs.
President Biden has threatened to extend the tariffs if he becomes convinced Chinese manufacturers are circumventing his tariffs by transshipping solar panels through other nations. I’m sure those other nations being threatened with tariffs will be keen to persuade President Biden that nothing untoward is happening. Perhaps President Biden should send Hunter on a fact finding mission
The BBC is confronting the possibility that the once promising surge in sales of EVs is going flat. Naturally, this is starting to cause a panic because all those pesky climate targets enshrined in law aren’t going to be met. Range anxiety and costs are the two most serious obstacles
The BBC is confronting the possibility that the once promising surge in sales of EVs is going flat. Naturally, this is starting to cause a panic because all those pesky climate targets enshrined in law aren’t going to be met. Range anxiety and costs are the two most serious obstacles.
Only cheap EVs will plug the gap but the tidal wave of lower-cost Chinese imports will wreck domestic manufacturers, and the only solution to that on the table is tariffs. Here’s the story:
Buoyant electric car sales are a must if we’re to hit our climate targets. But EV sales in the West are down and if governments want them to recover it may have to be at the expense of their own economies.
By 2035, the International Energy Agency (IEA) says there will need to be 790 million EVs if we’re to hit Net Zero by the middle of the century.
China’s largest EV manufacturer BYD has been vying with Tesla for the number-one spot. BYD also saw a slowdown between January and March.
And EV sales in Europe fell more than 10% year-on-year in the final quarter of last year – although in the U.K. total sales are running up on last year.
That’s why the fact that global sales of the world’s largest EV maker, Tesla, were actually lower in the first quarter of 2024 than in the same period in 2023 has raised eyebrows.
In the U.K., analysts say strong EV sales in recent years were fuelled by company car purchases, thanks to generous tax breaks.
But the household market is proving a tougher nut to crack, with people saying they are mostly put off by the high cost. The average price of a new EV in the US is over $60,000 (£47,433). Prices are similarly high in Europe and the U.K.
Large state subsidies and greater production efficiencies mean the average cost to a Chinese consumer is just $30,000. And BYD’s Seagull hatchback sells for less than $10,000.
China is also making massively more EVs than its domestic market needs – it could easily flood the U.S. and European markets with cheap cars if they weren’t held back by tariffs.
Here is the dilemma for European and U.S. politicians. They want cheaper EVs to facilitate the climate transition, but not at the cost of undermining their own car manufacturers – the likes of Ford and Volkswagen – and local jobs.
In fact, the talk is actually of raising tariffs and other trade barriers on imports to keep out ultra-competitive Chinese EVs.
Apparently, the hope is that second hand sales will expand the use of EVs. But as any reader of this website knows, the unlikely prospect of there being any secondhand market in EVs at all is a whole other story. EVs are set to be one-owner commodities, like a washing machine or vacuum cleaner.
If prices of new EVs stay where they are then there is a rocky road ahead:
If that happens, expect that tension between the desire of Western governments to decarbonise transport and their desire to protect domestic manufacturing champions to grow even more acute.
At some stage they might be forced to choose.
Well, who could possibly have anticipated that? Worth reading in full.
Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida has once again demonstrated his unwavering commitment to practical and rational governance by signing into law a series of bills designed to counter the prevailing tide of ideological narratives that have infiltrated energy policy and economic investments. This legislative action is a refreshing departure from the often dogmatic approaches seen in other states, bringing a much-needed focus on practicality and economic sense.
Governor DeSantis: A Beacon of Rational Policy Against Ideological Zealotry
Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida has once again demonstrated his unwavering commitment to practical and rational governance by signing into law a series of bills designed to counter the prevailing tide of ideological narratives that have infiltrated energy policy and economic investments. This legislative action is a refreshing departure from the often dogmatic approaches seen in other states, bringing a much-needed focus on practicality and economic sense.
At the core of these legislative measures is a clear-eyed rejection of radical climate agenda directives. The new laws place a greater emphasis on nuclear energy and natural gas, which are both reliable and cost-effective sources of energy. DeSantis has consistently championed policies that prioritize the economic well-being of Floridians, and this move underscores his dedication to maintaining affordable energy prices and enhancing energy security.
“The legislation I signed today [will] keep windmills off our beaches, gas in our tanks, and China out of our state,” the governor said. “We’re restoring sanity in our approach to energy and rejecting the agenda of the radical green zealots”.
By focusing on nuclear energy, which has a proven track record of safety and efficiency, and expanding natural gas resources, Florida is set to benefit from a more stable and sustainable energy infrastructure. This pragmatic approach contrasts sharply with the impracticalities of over-reliance on intermittent renewable sources like wind and solar.
Banning Investments with Adversary Links
One of the standout elements of the new legislation is the prohibition of state holdings in companies linked to the Chinese Communist Party and those utilizing forced labor. This move is a strategic and ethical decision that aligns with national security interests and human rights standards. The financial entanglement with adversarial nations and unethical practices is a concern that has often been overlooked in the rush to globalize investments.
“The legislation also encourages the expansion of natural gas resources throughout the state”.
The legislative package includes HB 7071, which prevents the State Board Administration from accepting direct holdings of Chinese companies on behalf of the Florida Retirement System Trust Fund. Additionally, a thorough review of existing investments will ensure that Floridian funds are not inadvertently supporting adversary nations or unethical labor practices.
Enhancing Energy Policy and Economic Focus
The emphasis on economic evaluation and technical feasibility in energy policy is a hallmark of Governor DeSantis’s administration. The new laws mandate a comprehensive study of nuclear power technologies, ensuring that Florida’s energy future is not only secure but also economically viable.
“The proposal rescinds a phrase directing the state to address ‘the potential of global climate change.’ The bill also requires the state to study and evaluate the potential technical and economic advantages of using nuclear power technologies”.
By stripping away directives that were more ideological than practical, the state can now focus on real-world solutions that offer tangible benefits. This approach will likely serve as a model for other states grappling with the balance between environmental stewardship and economic vitality.
The legislation I signed today—HB 1645, HB 7071, and HB 1331—will keep windmills off our beaches, gas in our tanks, and China out of our state.
We’re restoring sanity in our approach to energy and rejecting the agenda of the radical green zealots.
Governor DeSantis’s decisive actions are a testament to his commitment to protecting Florida’s interests against both ideological and foreign threats. The inclusion of provisions to ban state contracts with companies involved in forced labor further highlights his administration’s stance on maintaining ethical and secure economic practices.
“The bill requires the Department of Management Services to create and maintain a forced labor vendor list of companies that have been disqualified from public contracting for 365 days and to publish an updated version of the list on a quarterly basis”.
This initiative not only ensures that state funds are used responsibly but also sends a strong message about Florida’s ethical standards in business operations.
Conclusion
Governor Ron DeSantis’s recent legislative measures are a bold affirmation of rational policy-making in an era often dominated by ideological extremes. By focusing on reliable energy sources, ethical investments, and practical governance, DeSantis is leading Florida towards a more stable and prosperous future. These laws are not just a win for Floridians but a beacon for other states to follow in crafting policies that prioritize common sense over ideology.
The phenomenon of increasing the concentration of greenhouse gases (water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane) is assumed to lead to sharply rising temperatures in polar regions, or “polar amplification.” As it turns out, it doesn’t.
The phenomenon of increasing the concentration of greenhouse gases (water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane) is assumed to lead to sharply rising temperatures in polar regions, or “polar amplification.” As it turns out, it doesn’t.
Per a new radiative forcing model (Notholt et al., 2024), increasing CO2 from pre-industrial to present levels (278 to 400 ppm) results in a slight cooling effect for all of Antarctica (-0.01°C), reinforcing the “negative greenhouse effect” conclusion of previous studies.
The increased CO2 concentration does result in a warming for the Arctic in their model, but only 0.42°C for the 122 ppm increase. This implies CO2 cannot be responsible for the bulk of modern Arctic warming.
It was also determined that for Antarctica, “doubling CH4 leads to a cooling of almost the whole troposphere.”
The negative greenhouse effect of water vapor – Earth’s main greenhouse gas – dominates over CO2 with regard to climate impacts in polar regions.
The authors suggest their results provide an explanation for the “lack of warming seen in Antarctica throughout the last decades.”
You must be logged in to post a comment.