There has been some interesting correspondence on my Star article about Tesla Takedown.
First this from H J Greaves.
Ci Davis responded by writing
HJ Greaves responded to Graham Wroe by suggesting that the condemnation of Elon Musk and Tesla should be balanced by an equivalent focus on Chinese production. ‘What about China?’ comes up all the time when the transition to clean energy is concerned. So, what about China?
Starting with emissions. Chinese emissions are greater than the UK today but by looking at historical and per capita emissions a very different picture is presented; each person in China is responsible for 227tCO2 compared to 682tCO2 for EU citizens. China exports 45% of its production while the UK is a net-importer; meaning a lot of Chinese emissions are used to produce stuff that was previously produced here.
It is inaccurate to say China uses slave labour, but as with the UK, Modern Day Slavery sadly exists. China does provide cheap labour, and manufacturing declined here because companies located to China precisely to obtain cheap labour. Cheap labour cheapens prices for British consumers, including Chinese cars, and increases profits for western companies. In supporting key industries, China is doing what all states do; the $1.5tn subsidy of fossil fuels (2022) provides huge support.
Colonial rule created the mines and plantations where millions died. China is capturing the minerals, partly because infrastructure projects they provide are more attractive than the debts that Europe and the USA impose. The conditions are something that should be abhorred, but all countries are allowing this. And while China must be held accountable for its treatment of the Uyghur Muslims, let’s remember how Western governments treat Palestinians, Iraqis, and Afghan civilians?
Finger pointing distracts from Musk. Tesla was targeted because of Musk’s actions with DOGE and support of right-wing parties. It is legitimate to expose Musk, by protesting against Tesla, without being drawn into wider anti-China rhetoric.
Ci Davis
I have written
H J Greaves is right to point out that there is a major downside to all electric cars, not just Tesla. But this should not distract from the campaign against Tesla, which is about tackling the rise of fascism and Elon Musk’s support of neo-nazi groups in Europe. Nor should it distract us from the urgent need to replace petrol and diesel cars, which continue to increase global heating, threatening our food supplies.
Imagine if everyone had an electric car. Our roads would be completely congested, there would be nowhere to park, and the transport system would grind to a halt. The increase in demand for electricity would undo the good work that has been done transitioning towards clean energy. The pollution from tyre particles would be worse and this is already surprisingly greater than the particulate pollution from exhausts. Mr Greaves is right to point out the exploitation of many workers in the global south to mine the rare earth minerals required for their manufacture. This also destroys and pollutes the local habitat.
Meanwhile, manufacturers are producing bigger and heavier cars, taking up more roadspace, doing more damage to our road surfaces and continuing the carnage on our roads. The 2023 Government report recorded 1,624 deaths and 29,711 killed or seriously injured. Why do we tolerate this?
What is needed is a high-quality, nationalised and subsidised public transport system, where publicly run electric buses, trams and trains run in an integrated system so that most people don’t need or want to drive a car. Unfortunately, this is not coming soon. (Please wake up Labour!) If you need a new car, choose an EV made here in the UK.
I
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