Mark Sugrue
@marksugrue.com
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ndrew.bsky.social
every single tech idea is like “soon our robots will be capable of playing catch with your kid, freeing you up to spend more time working on your employers’ spreadsheets”
marksugrue.com
They seem to be particularly annoyed that freedom of movement ended for them personally
Reposted by Mark Sugrue
opsnowcrash.bsky.social
The leader of #Reform #UK in Wales caught taking bribes to push pro-Russia propaganda. He’s ex-UKIP, ex-Brexit Party—all 3 under Trump’s best pal Nigel Farage, who praised #Putin and spread Kremlin lies. #ArronBanks lurks in the same shadows. This is your "patriotism".

#Trump #Farage #Brexit
U.K. Politician Admits Making Pro-Russia Statements in Return for Bribes
www.nytimes.com
Reposted by Mark Sugrue
nora.zone
cry havoc and let slip the frogs of war
marksugrue.com
Start of the (long predicted) crash?
Reposted by Mark Sugrue
pieist.xenoplasm.com
I love how each ink cartridge contains more computing power than was owned by NASA between 1963 and 1985 but almost no ink.
marksugrue.com
Good point. However, in a system which only counts production emission in some countries (Paris agreement only covers 75% of world gdp, and much less in specific agri commitments) - yet we import from countries not covered - what happens to those emissions?
marksugrue.com
How much of Irish beef/milk production is not consumed? We export 90% - Every export from Ireland shows up as an import somewhere else.
marksugrue.com
True. eg Sweden has 1/3rd the carbon per capita emissions of ireland. But they import 60% of their meat and dairy, which (along with nuclear) helps lower their numbers. Wouldn't make more sense to measure based on consumption (including offshored emissions) and so encourage lower consumption?
marksugrue.com
I might be an easier sell, politically, to reduce Irish beef production if it was part of an international agreement with other exporters.
marksugrue.com
As an alternative to doing nothing (either by unilaterally reducing production, or not, which would have the same effect) I'm suggesting Ireland try seek international multilateral production reduction.
marksugrue.com
Why wouldn't they, when there's money to be money to be made
marksugrue.com
Countries like France, Sweden and Finland have made excellent progress in reducing emissions - but not by reducing agricultural exports. Have any countries done it that way?
marksugrue.com
Exactly. Ireland cutting beef exports achieves nothing if other countries just fill the gap.
marksugrue.com
Ireland's exports a tiny amount when compared to global beef production, but compared to Brazil only, its significant. We export about a 3rd of what Brazil does - so they would need to ramp up to replace us in the market.
marksugrue.com
My point is - isn't the whole point of counting emissions that it encourages reduction of use. But if countries can just import their way around the count, it defeats the original goal.
marksugrue.com
That's a fair point.
marksugrue.com
Ireland produces something like 1% of the world's beef - and global beef production grows by about 1-2% per year. If we stopped entirely our contribution would be close to a rounding error.
marksugrue.com
Perhaps - but I would bet that if Ireland alone reduces supply then nothing else would change - other producers would simply take over. Ireland's emissions go down while Brazil just clears more of the Amazon and fills it with cows.
marksugrue.com
Does that require countries reduce consumption of beef/dairy?
marksugrue.com
That would be a good approach. But does it make sense for Ireland to exit the market first, before there is even a plan for a treaty - before other suppliers offer to do their part?
marksugrue.com
That won't happen for decades yet though. Probably not in the livetime of any currently working farmers.
marksugrue.com
There's no incentive currently to import lower emission beef. We can import unlimited beef from Brazil without worrying about emissions - which isn't a good climate outcome.