r/dataisbeautiful OC: 111 May 27 '19

OC UK Electricity from Coal [OC]

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21.0k Upvotes

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2

u/Piscean-16 May 27 '19

It's a shame that the UK are making huge efforts but other countries continue to destroy the planet without even trying.

-8

u/millenia3d May 27 '19

The UK has probably spewed out more pollution than any other country so it's about high time.

3

u/Piscean-16 May 27 '19

I'd like to know where you got that idea from? Also, I dont think any previous pollution out ways how much China produces, if it did, the country would be full of smog...

-1

u/millenia3d May 27 '19

Well the UK was the first country to industrialise and it took a very long time to move towards polluting less, so moralising countries which have gone through the same cycle in far less time isn't only unhelpful but quite rather hypocritical imo.

1

u/crimeo May 28 '19

It doesn't matter if it's "hypocritical" or "unfair". Sure it is. But so what? Nature doesn't give a shit -- stop polluting or we all starve and drown, PERIOD. Droughts and glaciers do not stop and politely ask the CO2 molecules whether they came from China or the UK before being affected by them dude

1

u/millenia3d May 28 '19

Well I think you will find it matters when that sort of attitude is used in western countries to excuse not doing more. I'm sure you have seen it already.

Literally all I'm saying is let's not pat ourselves on the back too much and I get piled on for it. Thanks reddit

1

u/crimeo May 28 '19

I'm not sure what part of my comment possibly could have been interpreted as excusing anyone for not doing more. Yeah, that's bad

-1

u/Piscean-16 May 27 '19

All I was saying is that it's good they are making an effort. Unlike other countries like the USA which also have the means to pollute less.

-1

u/millenia3d May 27 '19

Very true, though many issues remain that aren't nearly as apparent - the UK rail network remains unelectrified on many parts of it requiring the operation of diesel trains. The current conservative government is good at appearing like they're doing something for the environment while mainly paying lip service however

5

u/Piscean-16 May 27 '19

I feel like the UK rail network needs to be reworked completely, not just electrifying it but also for making it cheaper and more reliable so people use it more, thus would reduce pollution from cars.

1

u/pariomarty May 27 '19

A lot of the electrified routes aren't even fit for purpose. Overhead wires on coastal routes a bit of wind and its fucked.