ebike_enjoyer

Won’t most countries require you to have a degree in order to immigrate there? I generally agree with what you said otherwise, but as a tech worker with lots of experience and no degree, I think it’s limited my options for leaving the US, while otherwise being a good move overall.

If you haven’t already, and you like speculative fiction, check out Octavia Butler’s parable series. It focuses (a little) less on the Christianity aspects than Handmaid’s Tale, but it is equally accurate and terrifying (while offering some hope, thankfully).

What? I had no idea it wasn’t continuing. That’s so sad to hear.

I've read that series as well. Both are amazing, but I prefer the Monk and Robot (Psalm of the Wild-Built) series a bit more. If you liked A Long Way To A Small Angry Planet, I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Finished the sequel to Becky Chamber’s A Psalm For The Wild-Built. Can’t recommend this series more highly for a glimpse into a calming and peaceful alternative future.

From the article:

Dutch people cycle an average of 2.6 kilometres each per day. If this pattern was replicated worldwide, the study suggests, annual global carbon emissions would drop by 686 million tonnes. This mammoth figure exceeds the entire carbon footprint of most countries, including the UK, Canada, Saudi Arabia and Australia.

I think a lot of people see “cycle like the Dutch” and think it means we must all abandon all other forms of transportation. Instead this article says if every nation’s national average for cycle miles traveled per day was at least 1.62 miles, we could greatly curb our carbon emissions. 1.62 miles is a very achievable goal in my mind. It doesn’t necessarily mean every individual must reach that amount per day (unless I’m misunderstanding), it just means the average overall. Others may go more, others less. Others could forgo it entirely, opting instead for walking, public transit, electric car (if it’s the only option), or a combination of all four. I’m certain that not every single person in the Netherlands rides a bicycle, either. We need people to understand this and push for increased safety and funding for alternative forms of transit, so that people can choose to do so safely. Especially in sprawling countries like Australia, Canada, and the USA.

You’re totally allowed to ask that. I think the reason you’ve got so much push back here is that this question is frequently brought up in bad faith or as an excuse to not improve cycling/public transit infrastructure. that was the assumption I certainly made. Sorry about that, have a good day.

Call me a heretic, but in a situation where it’s completely untenable to get any exercise, something like a moped or a very small electric car (like, smaller than probably exists in the us market) can be a great improvement over our current situation with giant trucks and suvs that consume either tons of gas or require batteries big enough to power hundreds of mopeds or e-bikes. What we need isn’t a large group of people doing everything perfectly, what we need is everyone doing what they can, imperfectly. Then we improve from there.

E-bikes, while more expensive, completely flatten hills. They’re also fantastic for carrying cargo, and yes, groceries.

To be completely honest, if you’re living somewhere where this doesn’t apply, I wouldn’t worry about it. There are things people in rural areas can (theoretically, depending on which rural area) do to curb their carbon footprint (consuming local agriculture comes to mind) and there are, I’m sure, people working on solving this issue for rural areas. The problem here I think is in this “all or nothing” mindset. As @anji@lemmy.anji.nl mentioned, this is a viable solution theoretically for nearly 80% of those living in one of the least climate friendly nations out there. This is also a viable solution for many (most?) countries, as most people live in cities. This is a solution for those people. For rural people, we will need different solutions. That’s all.

Bikes + trains (or even a bus, if bike racks are on them) are such a great combination for traveling between cities (or even countries if you’re in Europe, I suppose)

E-bikes can definitely solve the hill problem. As for staying warm, there’s the option of bundling up in some winter rated clothes. Think clothes for skiing or winter hiking, etc. I’ve even seen jackets with usb rechargeable heaters inside of them that motorcyclists use, though I haven’t tried that myself.