Accelerate the World's Transition to Sustainable Energy - to fight Anthropogenic Climate Change, page-19841 - HotCopper | ASX Share Prices, Stock Market & Share Trading Forum

Originally posted by SonicBlast: ↑

Seeing you wont answer my Question I asked ChatGPT. It had an interesting response.

After 100 years why do Oil, Gas & Coal NEED subsidies?
Oil, gas, and coal are fossil fuels that have been used for over a century to power the world’s economy and society. However, they also have many negative impacts on the environment and human health, such as contributing to climate change, air pollution, water contamination, and land degradation. Despite these drawbacks, fossil fuels still receive substantial subsidies from governments and other sources,
which distort the energy market and make them artificially cheaper than cleaner alternatives.

There are different reasons why oil, gas, and coal still need subsidies after 100 years. Some of them are:
Fossil fuels are deeply embedded in the existing energy system and infrastructure, which makes them difficult and costly to replace or phase out. Subsidies help maintain the stability and profitability of the fossil fuel industry and its associated sectors, such as transportation, manufacturing, and agriculture.Fossil fuels are often seen as a source of national security and strategic interest, especially for countries that depend on them for their energy supply or export revenues. Subsidies help protect the domestic production and consumption of fossil fuels from external shocks and competition.Fossil fuels are sometimes considered as a social welfare policy, especially for low-income households that rely on them for their basic needs, such as cooking, heating, and lighting. Subsidies help reduce the energy poverty and inequality that may arise from high fuel prices.Fossil fuels are subject to political and economic pressures and influences, both domestically and internationally. Subsidies help gain or maintain the support and loyalty of various stakeholders, such as voters, consumers, workers, businesses, lobbyists, and allies.
These are some of the reasons why oil, gas, and coal still need subsidies after 100 years. However, these reasons are not necessarily valid or justified in the long term. Subsidies for fossil fuels have many negative consequences that outweigh their benefits, such as:
Subsidies for fossil fuels encourage wasteful and inefficient use of energy resources, which reduces the incentives for innovation and investment in cleaner and more sustainable alternatives.Subsidies for fossil fuels create unfair competition and market distortions that hinder the development and deployment of renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, hydro, biomass, and geothermal.Subsidies for fossil fuels increase the fiscal burden on governments and taxpayers, which reduces the resources available for other public goods and services, such as health care, education, infrastructure, and social protection.Subsidies for fossil fuels exacerbate the environmental and social damages caused by fossil fuel extraction, combustion, and disposal, which affect the quality of life and well-being of current and future generations.
These are some of the consequences of subsidizing fossil fuels after 100 years. Therefore, it is important to reform or eliminate these subsidies and use the revenue gain for better targeted social spending, reductions in inefficient taxes, and productive investments that can promote sustainable and equitable outcomes. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), globally fossil fuel subsidies were $5.9 trillion or 6.8 percent of GDP in 2020 ¹. Removing these subsidies would reduce global carbon emissions by 28 percent ¹ ² , save 4 million lives per year from air pollution ¹ , increase government revenues by 3.8 percent of GDP ¹ , and boost economic growth by 1.5 percent per year ¹.
These are some of the benefits of ending fossil fuel subsidies after 100 years.

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As I said, fossil fuels and renewables should not be subsidies. They are businesses and I have no interest in subsidising businesses. I am a customer and I want competition and choice.

Years ago, my electricity supplier asked if I wanted to select renewables for my supply. Didn't do anything at the time, but I would like the offer of selecting coal or solar/wind along with the prices.