Policy backfire (Ferrando Heyward)

My approach outlook on life is to look at things with an inward to outward view, in essence Family > Community (City) > County > State > Federal (country) > World. With that stated upfront, lately I’ve been meditating upon what is happening in the Netherlands, with the farmers and their strikes and what WE could and should learn from their situation.

Background for those who not as aware of what’s going on: Netherland farmers have taken to blockading food warehouses and supermarkets. They have blocked the border between Germany and Holland, Dutch fishermen have also joined the protest by blocking the port in Harlingen with trawlers preventing ferries from leaving for hours. Fishermen know they're next up for attacks. So, what’s the catalyst for the protest?

A government proposal to slash emissions of pollutants like nitrogen oxide and ammonia by 50% by 2030 – to meet EU regulations on nitrogen oxide and ammonia. The measures could force farmers to reduce their livestock greatly or lose their livelihoods altogether. Here’s a number to keep in mind: there were nearly 54,000 agricultural businesses in the Netherlands with exports totaling 94.5 billion euros in 2019. No small numbers!

So do we see the trend that’s happening in countries with the climate change warriors running amok with no thought of the consequences of the impact of their climate change and theorized green policies on peoples’ lives? In Feb, our trucking neighbors to the north, Canada, was in the news for an overreaching COVID-19 vaccine mandate. I was tentatively waiting to see if our government would try another mandate again with the "monkeypox". Then I realized: a) the demographic primarily impacted and b) it was Pride month, that would not have been a good look. After all, decisions are NOT made with true health concerns just what image it carries. Sad! Onward to "Putin's war".

Every time that we pump gas and go to grocery store we feel the effect of (said tongue in cheek) of Putin’s War. The reality, the cause is bad policies with no regard to the negative impact on peoples’ lives. So let's look at some true underlying reasons of the rising oil prices. For this I turn to a recent piece in the Boston Herald that details how after more than a decade of DECLINING USA carbon emissions it ROSE in 2021, President Biden’s first year.

Let's look back in time to see what happened. The shale revolution, which started 15 years prior, turned America into the world’s leading oil and gas superpower. Yet despite this increased production, from 2014 thru 2020, we led the world in our reduction in carbon dioxide emissions (22% reduction). I don’t want any of my words to dilute the impact of the statements made of why the sudden increase in 2021, so I will copy a segment of the article

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“In 2021, emissions in the U.S. increased mostly because of increased coal use, *not* because of higher econ growth. Why? Because nat gas became more expensive. Why? Because of inadequate supply. Why? Chronic ‘under-investment in production & pipelines, thanks to ESG & climate activists.” (Michael Shellenberger)

We need to add Biden’s war on fossil fuels to that mix. The Energy Department data confirms that in 2021, coal use rose in the U.S. and natural gas consumption fell. That was because Biden’s Green New Deal agenda made coal a more attractive alternative in terms of costs.

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Said succinctly – Biden’s agenda backfired. Here’s what makes the sheer idiocy of his foolish clean energy policies more disheartening - Germany, has acknowledged that they will burn more coal in the future to get cheaper power. Yes, you read that correct, that country whose ambassadors laughed at Pres Trump when he told them they were too dependent upon Russian oil.

Let’s take this to its full sad truly sad conclusion – USA coal miners and coal are being displaced with Chinese mining. China has among the laxest environmental laws in the world and has tripled its coal output. So, none of these feeble actions that we are taking will stop climate change. [ quick aside: poor Dutch farmers the wind doesn't stop blowing at borders]

An example of an another “coup de grace” - somehow oil taken from the Strategic Oil Reserve, regardless of the relative percentage, made its way to China while gas prices for US consumers is at a high.

Bottom line: we need to look at what happening around us in other countries to be prepared to take action before it's too late.