So even on Lemmy people defend Tesla because “why not protest against coal” and “but this is EV”. Sigh.
People DO protest against coal, and to a much larger extent.
Tesla is a shitty scam company which deserves nothing but bankruptcy. Their factory is destroying huge areas in Brandenburg and uses massive amounts of water in an area where there is severe drought. Brandenburg even has deserts forming for those who are unaware. Even if you would accept Tesla, the factory is placed in the worst place possible.
Apart from the environmental aspects, the company is famous for being atrocious regarding workers rights. That crypto bro scam firm should just get the hell out.
Why are the climate protesters against electric vehicles?
Climate protesters have expressed concerns about Tesla’s plans, which entail cutting down approximately 250 acres of forest in a rural community of fewer than 8,000 residents near a nature conservation area.
Should be noted that basically all of that forest is a tree farm monoculture.
Now they moved to protesting the water usage of the factory, which is high, but quite low compared to other industries and farms in the area.
I mean, fuck cars in general, but protests that focus on bullshit facts are not helping the cause.
The water usage is a huge issue. The region has suffered a severe drought from 2018-2022. There is some issues with a chemical bubble in the ground that require a careful and coordinated pumping by all water utilities and well operators in the area to not suck it into the aquifer.One water utility had to deny all building permits for new houses, schools, businesses because Teslas water consumption capped the legally and sustainably permittable water extraction in the area.
There was a huge shitshow around the permits Tesla gained with direct political interference from the state government to overlook legal requirements in particular in the context of water. Tesla is fighting to deny access for the water utility to the chemical analysis of the water they extract at their wells.
There is a risk that Tesla could permanently destroy the water supply for hundreds of thousands of people if they are not made to observe the legal requirements and cooperate with other stakeholders for water in the region.
Frack. That’s sucks
Does the carbon savings make it worth it?
Highly doubtful. EVs still have a high footprint, especially those obese ones that we’re making in the West.
They have a large footprint of creation. Their footprint over their lifetime is net negative when measured against direct alternatives.
Measured against ICE cars. Actual direct alternatives are public transport, bikes, and micro cars. And you’re also assuming they’re driven that long before the person buys another car.
Those are indirect alternatives. A direct alternative serves the exact same function.
It doesn’t matter if that person buys another car; it matter is the EV stays on the road. They do.
They do serve the exact same function. And no, they don’t stay on the road. The batteries degrade, die and aren’t replaceable due to proprietary designs. There’s already plenty of dead EVs.
if there were some figures i could fiddle to fit that narrative, do you think that would mean that cutting down 250 acres of forest would actually be worth it rather than a convenience somebody has gussied up as “necessary” because it would make them a profit?
Go protest to the people who give the permit to cut down those trees, those are the problem. If tesla listen to the protest, another company is going to cut those trees.
If that area is marked as forest instead of industry/residential, no one can cut it, end of thread.
But as usual, protestors are barking up the wrong tree (pun intended)
It’s a battery factory that was built there despite environmental concerns.
I think the main things that attracted the ire of environmentalists are:
- When the building permits were still being negotiated, Tesla just started clearing land illegally
- A battery factory requires lots of water, this one was built in a region already low on groundwater
- There have been several instances of spilled chemicals
- The sewage coming out of the factory has been contaminated (phosphorus and nitrogen) beyond allowed thresholds for two years
- The local water supply company is reportedly near its limit, but Tesla wants to expand the battery factory and clear additional land
.
But the situation is a bit muddy. Early protests around 2021…2022 often had a share of far right wingnuts trying to recruit people. That’s lessened, though. This specific protest was definitely swelled in numbers by the factory expansion and land clearing plans, but is also part of a planned day of protests by the “Disrupt Tesla” group. They have a web presence here: https://disrupt-now.org/en/.
Not evs in general, just tesla.
EVs are a good next step but they still use tires that break down leaving microplastics in the environment and a study showed they may even leave more.,
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How do you say “SCRAMBLE!” in Deursche?
Scrämble!
Just move the factory to China. 🤡
Where are these protesters against all the coal power plants in Germany? Probably enjoying the warmth of their cozy houses in winter.
Fridays For Future still exists, and they still protest against coal power, demanding earlier shutdowns. Last Generation protested against fossil fuel usage, but nobody cared because they glued themselves to roads and apparently that offended too many. And then there were some others, Extinction Rebellion,…
There have been massive protests against coal plants and coal mines in Germany.
https://edition.cnn.com/2023/01/14/europe/lutzerath-germany-coal-protests-climate-intl/index.html
https://www.dw.com/en/germany-thousands-protest-to-save-hambach-forest/a-46060826
Just deconstruct the factory. Its not needed anywhere in the world.
Coal in germany makes up around 14% of all electricity production.
The rest is:
Solar(33%) Wind(28%) Gas(18%) Whats left is hydro and oil.
