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The truths and lies of Trump and Musk's X conversation on climate change
In a two-hour conversation on X, former President Trump and Elon Musk debated climate change, offering mixed views on the issue.
Brad Plumer and Raymond Zhong report for The New York Times.
In short:
- Musk warned that an immediate halt to fossil fuels would be catastrophic, but supported a gradual transition to renewable energy over 50-100 years. He didn't acknowledge even the most aggressive energy transition plans envision a gradual process.
- Trump expressed skepticism about the viability of electric cars and criticized President Biden’s rollback of drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, falsely claiming the protected area has more oil than Saudi Arabia.
- Both discussed the potential role of nuclear power, with Musk highlighting its safety compared to fossil fuels.
- They also discussed EV reliance on fossil fuels, cattle ranching relationship to climate change and the effects of carbon dioxide, among other subjects.
Key quote:
“Nuclear electricity generation is underrated...it’s actually one of the safest forms of electricity generation.”
— Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla.
Why this matters:
Musk and Trump influence millions, making their views on climate and energy critical in shaping public opinion and policy. Their contrasting perspectives reflect broader divisions in the American public on how to tackle climate change and manage the transition to sustainable energy. As leaders with vast influence, their views, sometimes based on misinformation, not only drive discourse but also have the potential to steer the direction of national and global climate policies.
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Newsletter
Tesla's turbulent shift: Can Musk power through the transition?
A recent analysis indicates Tesla, renowned for its electric vehicles, may be shifting focus from car manufacturing to becoming a key player in energy storage and electricity supply.
In short:
- Chinese competitor BYD surpassed Tesla as the biggest global seller of EVs. Other competitors like Ford, Hyundai and Rivian are also catching up in the U.S. market.
- As Tesla's EV's lose a share of the market, the company is diversifying from its EV roots to focus more on energy solutions like battery storage and electric grids.
- Despite current challenges in its car business, Tesla's energy sector profits surged by 140% from last year.
- With products like Megapacks and Powerwalls, the company aims to dominate the clean energy market.
Why this matters:
Tesla's strategic pivot could make it a central figure in the transition to renewable energy, impacting how electricity is delivered and stored. Their technological advancements in energy solutions might set the stage for broader adoption of clean energy.
What is the role of electric vehicles in the push for environmental justice?
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Elon Musk’s X, formerly Twitter, ranks last in climate scorecard
Environmental groups slammed Elon Musk’s X app in a report Wednesday ranking social media platforms on their approach to climate change misinformation.
How Elon Musk could win the UAW strike
Tesla’s continued dominance on electric cars would undermine Biden’s hopes of basing the next generation of cars and trucks on unionized labor.
As fires and floods rage, Facebook and Twitter are missing in action
Natural disasters in Canada and California highlight how Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk have pulled back from the news, complicating emergency responses.
Lawsuit accuses Tesla of exaggerating driving range to boost EV sales
A group of Tesla owners accused the automaker of inflating in advertisements the distance the vehicles can travel on a single charge.
Newsletter
Climate crisis deniers target scientists for vicious abuse on Musk’s Twitter
Some of the UK’s top scientists are struggling to deal with what they describe as a huge rise in abuse from climate crisis deniers on Twitter since the social media platform was taken over by Elon Musk last year.
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