#solar panels in Pakistan

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[chalaosolar]

Best Solar Panels in Pakistan: Solar Solutions

Switching to best solar panels in Pakistan is more than a trend; it’s a necessity. As the demand for reliable and sustainable energy sources grows, solar power emerges as a beacon of hope. So, why exactly are solar solutions gaining traction in Pakistan? Let’s delve into the world of solar panels and uncover the best options available in the market today.

Why Choose Solar Energy in Pakistan?

Environmental Benefits

Solar energy is a clean, renewable resource that significantly reduces carbon footprints. In a country like Pakistan, where pollution levels are high, adopting solar power can help mitigate environmental damage. It’s a green solution that aligns with global sustainability goals.

Economic Advantages

Electricity bills can be a hefty part of monthly expenses. Solar energy, however, can drastically cut down these costs. Once you’ve installed solar panels, the sun’s energy is essentially free. Plus, with net metering policies, excess energy can be sold back to the grid, generating income.

Energy Independence

Frequent power outages are a common issue in Pakistan. Solar energy offers a way to achieve energy independence, ensuring a constant power supply even during blackouts. This reliability makes solar energy an attractive option for both residential and commercial use.

Understanding Solar Panels

How Solar Panels Work

Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity using photovoltaic cells. These cells absorb sunlight and create an electric field, generating direct current (DC) electricity. An inverter then converts this DC into alternating current (AC), which powers homes and businesses.

Types of Solar Panels

Choosing the right type of solar panel is crucial for efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Here’s a quick rundown of the options:

Types of Solar Panels

Monocrystalline Solar Panels

Monocrystalline panels are known for their high efficiency and long lifespan. They are made from a single continuous crystal structure, making them highly effective in capturing sunlight.

Polycrystalline Solar Panels

Polycrystalline panels are slightly less efficient than monocrystalline ones but are more affordable. They are made from silicon crystals melted together, offering a balance between cost and efficiency.

Thin-Film Solar Panels

These panels are lightweight and flexible, ideal for non-traditional surfaces. Though less efficient than crystalline panels, they perform better in low-light conditions.

Top Solar Panel Brands in Pakistan

Tesla Solar

Tesla Solar panels are renowned for their high efficiency and durability. They come with a sleek design and robust performance, making them a top choice for many.

Trina Solar

Trina Solar offers panels that are both efficient and cost-effective. Their extensive research and development ensure high-quality products suitable for various needs.

JA Solar

JA Solar is known for its innovation and reliability. Their panels are designed to perform well even in challenging weather conditions, making them ideal for Pakistan's diverse climate.

Canadian Solar

Canadian Solar panels offer a great balance of quality and affordability. They are widely used in residential and commercial installations across Pakistan.

Comparing Solar Panels: Features and Efficiency

Efficiency Ratings

Efficiency is a key factor when selecting solar panels. Monocrystalline panels typically have the highest efficiency rates, followed by polycrystalline and thin-film panels.

Durability

Durability ensures that your investment lasts for years. Look for panels with robust construction and strong warranties.

Cost-Effectiveness

While initial costs can be high, consider the long-term savings on electricity bills and potential earnings from net metering. Polycrystalline panels often provide the best balance of cost and performance.

Installation of Solar Panels

Choosing a Solar Installation Company

Select a reputable company with experience in solar installations. Check reviews, ask for references, and ensure they offer comprehensive services, from consultation to maintenance.

Installation Process

The installation process involves site assessment, system design, obtaining permits, and the actual installation. A professional company will handle all these steps, ensuring a hassle-free experience.

Maintenance Tips

Regular maintenance is key to maximizing your solar system's lifespan. Clean the panels periodically, check for shading issues, and ensure all components are functioning correctly.

Government Incentives and Policies

Net Metering

Net metering allows solar panel owners to sell excess electricity back to the grid. This not only reduces electricity bills but also supports the national grid.

Subsidies and Grants

The government offers various subsidies and grants to encourage solar adoption. These financial incentives can significantly lower the initial investment cost.

Solar Energy Storage Solutions

Importance of Energy Storage

Energy storage systems, like batteries, are crucial for managing energy supply, especially during non-sunny periods. They ensure that the energy generated during the day is available at night or during outages.

Types of Solar Batteries

Common types of solar batteries include lithium-ion, lead-acid, and saltwater batteries. Each type has its own advantages and is suitable for different needs.

Best Solar Batteries in Pakistan

Brands like Tesla (Powerwall), LG Chem, and BYD offer high-quality solar batteries in Pakistan. These batteries are known for their efficiency, capacity, and reliability.

[enablingsolutions]

Solar panel prices in Pakistan

Looking for affordable solar panel prices in Pakistan? At e-sols, we offer competitive prices for high-quality solar panels. Our range of solar panels caters to various budgets and needs, making renewable energy accessible to all. Whether you're considering residential or commercial solar solutions, our company provides cost-effective options without compromising on quality. Explore our selection to find the best solar panel prices in Pakistan, ensuring a sustainable and efficient energy source for your home or business. Learn More About Solar panels Visit Our Site https://e-sols.com/

[rjzimmerman]

Excerpt from this Op-Ed from the New York Times:

At first glance, Xi Jinping seems to have lost the plot.

China’s president appears to be smothering the entrepreneurial dynamism that allowed his country to crawl out of poverty and become the factory of the world. He has brushed aside Deng Xiaoping’s maxim “To get rich is glorious” in favor of centralized planning and Communist-sounding slogans like “ecological civilization” and “new, quality productive forces,” which have prompted predictions of the end of China’s economic miracle.

But Mr. Xi is, in fact, making a decades-long bet that China can dominate the global transition to green energy, with his one-party state acting as the driving force in a way that free markets cannot or will not. His ultimate goal is not just to address one of humanity’s most urgent problems — climate change — but also to position China as the global savior in the process.

It has already begun. In recent years, the transition away from fossil fuels has become Mr. Xi’s mantra and the common thread in China’s industrial policies. It’s yielding results: China is now the world’s leading manufacturer of climate-friendly technologies, such as solar panels, batteries and electric vehicles. Last year the energy transition was China’s single biggest driver of overall investment and economic growth, making it the first large economy to achieve that.

This raises an important question for the United States and all of humanity: Is Mr. Xi right? Is a state-directed system like China’s better positioned to solve a generational crisis like climate change, or is a decentralized market approach — i.e., the American way — the answer?

How this plays out could have serious implications for American power and influence.

Look at what happened in the early 20th century, when fascism posed a global threat. America entered the fight late, but with its industrial power — the arsenal of democracy — it emerged on top. Whoever unlocks the door inherits the kingdom, and the United States set about building a new architecture of trade and international relations. The era of American dominance began.

Climate change is, similarly, a global problem, one that threatens our species and the world’s biodiversity. Where do Brazil, Pakistan, Indonesia and other large developing nations that are already grappling with the effects of climate change find their solutions? It will be in technologies that offer an affordable path to decarbonization, and so far, it’s China that is providing most of the solar panels, electric cars and more. China’s exports, increasingly led by green technology, are booming, and much of the growth involves exports to developing countries.

From the American neoliberal economic viewpoint, a state-led push like this might seem illegitimate or even unfair. The state, with its subsidies and political directives, is making decisions that are better left to the markets, the thinking goes.

But China’s leaders have their own calculations, which prioritize stability decades from now over shareholder returns today. Chinese history is littered with dynasties that fell because of famines, floods or failures to adapt to new realities. The Chinese Communist Party’s centrally planned system values constant struggle for its own sake, and today’s struggle is against climate change. China received a frightening reminder of this in 2022, when vast areas of the country baked for weeks under a record heat wave that dried up rivers, withered crops and was blamed for several heatstroke deaths.

[g--dgdgd123]

Exploring Al Jalil Garden: A Fusion of Nature and Modern Living

Al Jalil Garden stands as a testament to the harmonious blend of nature's beauty and contemporary urban living. Nestled amidst the serene landscape of Lahore, Pakistan, this residential community offers residents a unique experience of tranquility coupled with modern amenities. In this article, we delve into the various aspects that make Al Jalil Garden a sought-after destination for those seeking a balance between nature and urban convenience.

Natural Surroundings:

One of the most captivating features of Al Jalil Garden is its lush greenery and scenic landscapes. Spread over vast acres, the community is adorned with meticulously landscaped parks, tree-lined avenues, and verdant gardens. The abundance of green spaces not only enhances the aesthetic appeal but also promotes a healthy and sustainable lifestyle for residents. Walking trails, jogging tracks, and recreational areas provide ample opportunities for residents to connect with nature and lead an active lifestyle.

Modern Infrastructure:

Complementing its natural surroundings, Al Jalil Garden boasts modern infrastructure and state-of-the-art facilities. The residential units, ranging from cozy apartments to spacious villas, are designed to cater to diverse lifestyle preferences. Each dwelling is equipped with essential amenities and built to high-quality standards, ensuring comfort and convenience for residents. Moreover, the community features well-planned roads, efficient drainage systems, and reliable utilities, making it a model of modern urban planning.

Community Living:

Beyond its physical attributes, Al Jalil Garden fosters a strong sense of community among its residents. Various social and recreational activities are organized regularly, encouraging interaction and camaraderie among neighbors. The community center serves as a hub for gatherings, events, and cultural celebrations, further enriching the social fabric of the neighborhood. Additionally, the presence of schools, healthcare facilities, and commercial establishments within the vicinity ensures that residents have access to essential services without venturing far from home.

Commitment to Sustainability:

Al Jalil Garden is committed to promoting sustainability and environmental stewardship. Through initiatives such as waste management programs, energy-efficient infrastructure, and green building practices, the community strives to minimize its ecological footprint. Furthermore, the integration of eco-friendly features such as rainwater harvesting systems and solar panels underscores its dedication to preserving the natural environment for future generations.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, Al Jalil Garden emerges as a captivating blend of natural beauty, modernity, and community spirit. With its picturesque landscapes, contemporary infrastructure, vibrant social scene, and commitment to sustainability, it offers residents a distinctive living experience that transcends the conventional notions of urban life. Whether seeking a tranquil retreat or a dynamic community, Al Jalil Garden stands as a beacon of excellence in the realm of residential developments.

[mariacallous]

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan—As Afghanistan plummets deeper into a devastating economic crisis, the Taliban have declared a war on drugs that snatches away the sole cash crops relied on by many struggling rural families—opium poppy and ephedra, a plant that contains a precursor for manufacturing methamphetamine—putting millions at risk of starvation and potentially alienating the group’s own long-suffering support base.

High-ranking Talibs insist that drugs have been fully eradicated from the country and the ban is a matter of ethics; opium and meth are simply “dangerous for the world,” as one senior narcotics official put it. Farmers, low-level soldiers, and rural leaders say they’ve been told it’s a necessary sacrifice to secure recognition and desperately needed humanitarian aid. But in Kabul, where prices have soared and users are rounded up and imprisoned in hellish so-called rehab centers, dealers and users are adamant that supply is undiminished—and that Taliban soldiers still control the trade.

The road from Kabul to Kandahar—Afghanistan’s former capital in the south, where most opium poppies are grown—is just 300 miles long but takes 15 hours to drive. When we made the trip in October 2022, it was peak harvest time for the region’s famous pomegranates, but the landscape was arid. Clouds of dust and sand periodically swirled around our 1991 Toyota Camry, making it harder to spot craters left by roadside bombs or even the groups of small children kneeling in the middle of the road, begging with hands outstretched to oncoming trucks that lurched to avoid them just in time.

In Kandahar province, we were directed along a maze of rocky tracks toward the Afghanistan-Pakistan border by a Taliban soldier; he had been assigned to us for “protection” at a crumbling local military base. Every river and stream had dried up; the only signs of water access were occasional solar panels, used to generate electricity to pump water from deep underground. Until the ban, this scant water supply was used to irrigate the poppy fields that carpeted the area and provided a rare source of income to Kandahar’s rural poor. Twenty years of war scarred the hills and farms. There are bomb craters, ruined schoolhouses, burnt husks of police cars, and even the grave of a child killed in a U.S. airstrike, but the death toll of the conflict could pale in comparison with that of a newly waged war on drugs.

Having leveraged the drug trade to fund their insurgency for decades, in 2021 the Taliban outlawed the harvesting of ephedra, which grows wild in the mountains and from which ephedrine, a meth precursor, can be extracted, and the following April abruptly banned opium cultivation and production. This move blindsided many farmers in Afghanistan’s poppy-growing heartlands. Standing outside his shed-like motorbike repair shop on the side of the road in Kandahar province, Wakil Ahmad pointed to an empty swath of land behind the building.

“Before, this was a poppy farm,” he said. Six months earlier, just a few weeks before harvesting began, the Taliban told his family that this harvest would be their last. If they continued to grow poppies, they would be fined and thrown in jail. “The fields are useless now,” Ahmad said. “We lost everything. We don’t have any other options. We can’t grow anything else.”

With the country grappling with pariah status and the specter of financial collapse, the decision to eliminate opium poppies and processing of ephedra has baffled Afghans and international observers alike. Afghanistan’s narcotics market earns far more money for its people than any other commodity in the country: the total value of all legal products exported from Afghanistan totaled just $870 million in 2019, which is dwarfed by an illicit opiate market reaching an estimated value of $1.2-$2.1 billion.

With international aid and trade largely suspended, opium and meth became the last economic lifeline for many in provinces such as Kandahar and Helmand. In a country where the public sector minimum wage is under $60 per month, foraging for ephedra can bring in $30 per day, which, although laborious, takes no special skills or investment—traders even travel to pick up the product. In the traditional Taliban stronghold of Kandahar, poppy cultivation raises around $400 million a year for farming families, including the 30-year-old Talib resting his Kalashnikov rifle on his knees in the front seat of our car. The soldier said he has received no salary for the 15 years that he has served in the Taliban forces and doesn’t know how he’ll support his family without growing opium.

The Taliban last attempted to wipe out opium in 2000, with short-lived success. After the U.S. invasion in 2001, production saw a general upward trend, and cultivation spiked in 2017, providing crucial income for insurgents—including, notoriously, the Taliban themselves. Researchers such as David Mansfield argue that it’s highly unlikely the Talib leaders who issued the 2000 ban were trying to artificially inflate prices with a view to cashing in, but as the price of opium increased in the ensuing two decades, they certainly had no qualms openly profiting from it.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reported an uptick in opium production after the Taliban seized power in August 2021, including a 32 percent rise in 2022. This production was concentrated in the southern provinces of Nimroz, Kandahar, Helmand, Uruzgan, and Zabul, which together account for nearly three-quarters of the total area under cultivation. Kandahar saw 12,300 extra hectares dedicated to poppy in 2022, a 72 percent increase from the year before. Processing of ephedra has also increased since 2017, supplying a cottage industry in ephedrine extraction at hundreds of meth labs across the country.

Back in Kabul, local street dealer Khalid scoffed at the idea that the Taliban have stepped back from the drug trade. Heroin and meth are typically bought in bulk from an area called Shahrak-e Aria (close to Kabul Airport), he said, and he sees “a lot of Talibs there” selling wholesale to dealers. Khalid said he has also bought drugs from a Taliban office in Shahr-e Naw, a largely upscale neighborhood known for its manicured public park but where, just outside the railings, we saw at least 50 men huddled around opium and meth pipes in midafternoon.

While it’s getting harder to smuggle illicit drugs into the capital through the Taliban checkpoints, Khalid said, at one wholesaler where he buys smaller quantities for street dealing, kilo packets of meth are packaged with an official Taliban seal, the symbol of the Islamic Emirate. This, Khalid believes, lets drugs pass through the “Kabul doors”—in other words, they are waved through checkpoints without closer inspection.

Analysts watching the situation closely say they haven’t seen evidence of stockpiling, but domestic availability of illicit drugs appears unaffected even as prices soar in anticipation of future shortages. Vanda Felbab-Brown, a senior fellow at the Washington-based Brookings Institution, said she fears that individual Taliban commanders may exploit price surges to increase their own heroin and meth portfolios, by allowing pockets of production to continue under their control in order to inflate their own profits.

On its own, the uninterrupted supply doesn’t prove that opium is still being cultivated in Afghanistan—Felbab-Brown says it typically takes two years of supply restrictions to affect availability on the street—but it contradicts claims made by government officials that all opium and heroin has been eradicated from the country.

There are other signs that some production has continued with the knowledge and blessing of Taliban commanders. Some farmers in the southern provinces told Radio Azadi last October that they were allowed to go ahead with their harvests, and a major heroin-trafficking operation run by Afghan nationals was busted in India’s Punjab region in January. Whether this is a deliberate attempt to shore up control of a smaller, more valuable trade or simply a case of opportunistic factions exploiting the situation to enrich themselves, Talibs appear to be the only winners of the ban.

Profit margins for opium farmers and sharecroppers are modest—perhaps a few hundred dollars per hectare in a normal year—but as our Talib soldier-escort explained, this far outstrips profits from crops such as wheat. In theory, having opium farmers switch to wheat should help combat what the UNODC describes as “one of the worst food insecurity crises worldwide,” but in reality, the slender margins would leave farmers with little means to buy any other food, let alone medicine or other basic necessities. Alternatives such as pomegranates are better earners, but orchards take years to fruit, making it an impossible ask for communities living hand to mouth. No stakeholder who is demanding that farmers transition away from opium—not the Taliban, the former Afghan government, the United States, or the UNODC—has been willing to foot the bill to cover rural incomes in a way that would allow farmers to transition away from poppies.

Low-level growers stay poor, but those further up the chain make serious money. During the civil war, the Taliban in some areas under their control taxed farmers and smugglers around 10 percent of their earnings, while some warlords and Taliban factions controlled parts of the trade directly. Badly paid soldiers and police officers with the Afghan government demanded significant bribes to spare poppy farms from destruction, while senior officials paid up to $150,000 for governorships in remote posts where they could exploit the trade for personal gain. In the early years of the U.S. invasion, Washington was reluctant to push for poppy eradication, aware this would alienate rural communities and drive them closer to the Taliban; reports even emerged of U.S. Marines guarding poppy fields for farmers. But over the following decades, enemy combatants increasingly relied on drug profits, and the United States switched to spending billions of dollars on counternarcotics programs. This included aerial bombings of suspected meth- and opiate-processing labs and trucks. According to testimony given by Felbab-Brown to the U.K. Parliament in 2020, most of these efforts were “ineffective or outright counterproductive” from an economic, political, and peacekeeping point of view, serving only to impoverish and alienate farmers, pushing them closer to Taliban soldiers who offered to protect their livelihoods.

Most illicit drugs produced in Afghanistan are destined for export. Tons of heroin, meth, and hashish were seized by Pakistani authorities in January 2022, including a record 130-kilogram haul of heroin intercepted by customs at the Torkham border crossing. Demand for meth is also soaring among Afghanistan’s neighbors, including Pakistan and Iran. But plenty of Afghans are hooked, too. Two decades of relentless fighting, brutal terrorist attacks, and economic chaos, followed by the return of the Taliban regime, have left more than half of Afghans struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety. Despair and trauma breed addiction; there are now an estimated 3.5 million drug addicts in Afghanistan—nearly one-tenth of the population.

A string of reports and documentaries over the past year paint a grim picture of violent crackdowns on addicts and brutal conditions inside underfunded rehabilitation facilities, where there is little food to go around and malnourished patients frequently die from disease or the effects of heroin withdrawal.

“They give you no food or water. Beat you like an enemy,” said Khalid, the heroin and meth user-turned-dealer in Kabul, who said he was arrested in one of the early Taliban crackdowns and sent to Camp Phoenix, the former U.S. military base now repurposed as a Taliban-run rehab hospital. “There’s no food for us, so we have to eat grass, but if they see us eating grass, then they beat us again. They say they want to get you off drugs, but it is like torture.”

Potential victims of the crackdown extend outside national borders. Afghanistan supplies around 80 percent of the world’s heroin, including to many European nations where fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, is yet to penetrate the market. There is no evidence to suggest that heroin addiction or demand diminishes amid supply shortages, but in the past, disruptions have seen synthetic alternatives flood the market and overdose deaths soar as users struggle to adapt to massive changes in purity levels.

“There’s an assumption that the Taliban are the biggest gang in town, but transnational organized crime has become much more monopolized, more cooperative, and more powerful since the Taliban were last in power,” said Neil Woods, a former undercover police officer in the United Kingdom who now works with the drug policy reform organization LEAP UK. Woods fears a “fentanyl catastrophe” if the ban is effective. “If they do successfully clamp down on heroin this time, it’ll just be more cost-effective to make a quick shift to synthetics,” he said.

Senior Taliban leaders insist that the drug bans are ethically motivated, but their objections appear selective. Last September saw the triumphant return from the United States of Kandahar native Bashir Noorzai, a notorious drug trafficker and Taliban financier, in a prisoner swap that saw the man known as the “Pablo Escobar of Afghanistan” greeted at Kabul Airport by cheering crowds and senior Taliban officials. In Kandahar, village chiefs, soldiers, and farmers offer a more pragmatic explanation.

“Our leader mentioned that the foreign governments are not happy about us doing poppy farming. They said we needed to ban this to be recognized as a government,” said Ular Majeed, the head of a Taliban outpost close to the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, where he is responsible for 10,000 households in an area rife with cross-border smuggling routes. Now that they’ve fulfilled their end of the bargain, he said, “it’s time for [the U.S.] government to do what they said and recognize us, so you can help us.”

Back in Kabul, Taliban officials categorically deny any such negotiations are underway. “We wish that other countries would work with us to stop drugs and would help us, but we have not had any contact,” said senior counternarcotics official Mun Ali.

In an email, a U.S. State Department spokesperson described the ban as “promising,” albeit contingent on seeing a meaningful reduction in poppy cultivation or meth production. Asked if the United States had engaged in dialogue with the Taliban ahead of the announcement, the spokesperson replied: “As we’ve made clear, we’ll continue to engage the Taliban pragmatically to advance American interests.”

“This is very much a replay of the 1990s. They were making that same pitch, bargaining and consistently hoping that the ban would give them international legitimacy,” Felbab-Brown said. But from an institutional and regime survival perspective, she said, “it fundamentally threatens their ability to hold onto power.”

“The Taliban could be lining themselves up for the ‘well, we’re only growing poppy because you didn’t give us the humanitarian aid you promised’ approach. That’s quite feasible,” said Steve Brookings, a former chargé d’affaires at the British Embassy in Kabul and former special advisor to the U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan. Even if officials want to kick the dependency on illicit income, it may prove financially impossible.

Members of the Taliban are often perceived as less corruptible and bribe-seeking than their predecessors, but the cracks are beginning to show. In Kandahar’s villages, soldiers and rural leaders admit they haven’t been paid in months or years. This may have been palatable while the Taliban were the underdogs, but now they’re in charge of the country’s finances—and it was their decision to ban poppy, many unpaid workers’ sole source of income. Meanwhile in Kabul, Talibs flaunt the trappings of their newfound power, cruising around the city in luxury Toyota Land Cruisers and the occasional Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon.

Asked if Afghan families facing starvation following the ban would receive financial support, Ali, the senior counternarcotics official, replied that, as good Muslims, Afghans know “obeying their leader is the most important thing,” dismissing the question with the flick of a wrist adorned with a huge gold watch. For years, Taliban commanders depended on loyalists to shoulder hardship in pursuit of victory, but if peace fails to deliver security and rural supporters feel betrayed by the widening wealth gap, support may evaporate—and lower-ranking Talibs will need to make a living wherever they can.

“You think the Taliban are good men who would not do bad things?” asked Khalid, sighing bitterly. “Yesterday, they couldn’t afford vehicles, but now they have all these [expensive] cars. They couldn’t afford to get married, but now they have three wives. This is their business: When they come and arrest you and take your drugs, they just give them to someone else to sell.”

Unsurprisingly, the Taliban vociferously deny these accusations.

“Our soldiers and staff fought for 20 years. They will never take bribes,” said Mawlavi Shir Ali Hemaad, the head of investigations at the Taliban’s organized crime unit. “We were the ones wearing jackets full of bombs. We were careless about ourselves, so how can we care about money now? No, never. It will never happen.”

But without food, income, medicine, or access to basic services, the costs of this loyalty will be hard to bear. To hold onto power, the Taliban need to choose their battles. Unless they can generate economic benefits from this ban fast—for the whole country, not just a handful of their own men—a new war on drugs will become a costly political mistake and one that only exacerbates the misery of addicts in Afghanistan and beyond.

[socialorganism]

Hi reasonsforhope, hi hope-for-the-planet

I think what you guys do is wrong, is active and intentional disinformation, and harms efforts to explain what it will actually take to prevent the worst of an ongoing global catastrophe.

I too, can selectively quote and emphasize parts of this article.

"At this point, they are mostly paper pledges, few of them binding enough in the short term to look like real action plans rather than strategies of smiling delay."

Strategies of Smiling Delay :)

"What used to look like a moral burden is now viewed increasingly as an opportunity, so much so that it has become a source of geopolitical rivalry."

"You can’t take these projections to the bank."

“The problem is a result of human choices, and our progress on it is also the result of human choices,” he says. “And those should be celebrated. It’s not yet sufficient. But it is amazing.”

" 'Some of my colleagues are looking at three degrees and going, oh, my God, this is the worst thing ever — we’re failing!' he says. 'And then someone like me is saying, well, I used to think we were heading to five. So three looks like a win.'

“The good news is we have implemented policies that are significantly bringing down the projected global average temperature change,”

"The bad news, she says, is that we have been 'systematically underestimating the rate and magnitude of extremes.'

Even if temperature rise is limited to two degrees, she says, 'the extremes might be what you would have projected for four to five.' "

But he worries about the future of the Amazon, the melting of carbon-rich permafrost in the northern latitudes and the instability of the ice sheets — each a tipping point that “could start running away from us.” “Each time you get an I.P.C.C. report, it’s still worse than you thought, even though you thought it was very bad,” he says. “The human race doesn’t, as it were, collapse at two degrees, but you probably will see a lot of death, a lot of movement of people, a lot of conflict over space and water.”

“I mean, we’re at not even one and a half now, and a third of Pakistan is underwater, right?”

“These dates — 2030, 2050 — they are meaningless,” says Gail Bradbrook, one of the British founders of Extinction Rebellion. “What matters is the amount of carbon in the atmosphere, and there is already way too much. The dates can be excuses to kick the problem into the long grass. But the important thing is that we’re doing harm, right now, and that we should stop absolutely as soon as possible with any activities that are making the situation worse.”

-----------

Net zero isn't enough. Only degrowth is enough. The lowered cost of renewable energy represents not just advances in technology but extractive and productive advances for the renewable energy industry.

What this means is that the before a solar panel can offset any carbon output by the world at large, it must first 'make up' for the carbon released and the ecology damaged by its own extraction and mass production. Except, that's not how physics works.

Solar panels, windmills, geothermal plants do not buy back the carbon already in the atmosphere. They do not represent a reduction in amount, or in density. They represent only a dubious reduction in growth. Like the article says, all the carbon that's in the atmosphere, is already there. The only thing we can do is stop adding to it.

Carbon recapture is not efficient, simply not viable at scale as is.

The article above also references the UN's IPCC reports. Those are touted as if they were the international standard on climate predictions. And do you know why they always underestimate the damage and the rate of failure? Because after the scientists write the report, politicians, corporations, and NGOs review and edit it. And they will always lie to you.

Note what the article says, that countries see climate change as an opportunity. They get that much right. But it's not a competition over making solar panels. In case you haven't realized it. Russia's invasion of Ukraine and everything that precedes and follows it- is the direct geopolitical result of climate change.

The disasters? They are weapons fired by nationstates, as a deliberate act of war.

In conclusion: you know you're lying, stop hurting our chances of actually achieving the best outcome for the planet.

Now I'm going to link my own article.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clathrate_gun_hypothesis

No-paywall version.

"You can never really see the future, only imagine it, then try to make sense of the new world when it arrives.

Just a few years ago, climate projections for this century looked quite apocalyptic, with most scientists warning that continuing “business as usual” would bring the world four or even five degrees Celsius of warming — a change disruptive enough to call forth not only predictions of food crises and heat stress, state conflict and economic strife, but, from some corners, warnings of civilizational collapse and even a sort of human endgame. (Perhaps you’ve had nightmares about each of these and seen premonitions of them in your newsfeed.)

Now, with the world already 1.2 degrees hotter, scientists believe that warming this century will most likely fall between two or three degrees. (A United Nations report released this week ahead of the COP27 climate conference in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, confirmed that range.) A little lower is possible, with much more concerted action; a little higher, too, with slower action and bad climate luck. Those numbers may sound abstract, but what they suggest is this: Thanks to astonishing declines in the price of renewables, a truly global political mobilization, a clearer picture of the energy future and serious policy focus from world leaders,

we have cut expected warming almost in half in just five years.

...Conventional wisdom has dictated that meeting the most ambitious goals of the Paris agreement by limiting warming to 1.5 degrees could allow for some continuing normal, but failing to take rapid action on emissions, and allowing warming above three or even four degrees, spelled doom.

Neither of those futures looks all that likely now, with the most terrifying predictions made improbable by decarbonization and the most hopeful ones practically foreclosed by tragic delay. The window of possible climate futures is narrowing, and as a result, we are getting a clearer sense of what’s to come: a new world, full of disruption but also billions of people, well past climate normal and yet mercifully short of true climate apocalypse.

Over the last several months, I’ve had dozens of conversations — with climate scientists and economists and policymakers, advocates and activists and novelists and philosophers — about that new world and the ways we might conceptualize it. Perhaps the most capacious and galvanizing account is one I heard from Kate Marvel of NASA, a lead chapter author on the fifth National Climate Assessment: “The world will be what we make it.” Personally, I find myself returning to three sets of guideposts, which help map the landscape of possibility.

First, worst-case temperature scenarios that recently seemed plausible now look much less so, which is inarguably good news and, in a time of climate panic and despair, a truly underappreciated sign of genuine and world-shaping progress...

[I cut number two for being focused on negatives. This is a reasons for hope blog.]

Third, humanity retains an enormous amount of control — over just how hot it will get and how much we will do to protect one another through those assaults and disruptions. Acknowledging that truly apocalyptic warming now looks considerably less likely than it did just a few years ago pulls the future out of the realm of myth and returns it to the plane of history: contested, combative, combining suffering and flourishing — though not in equal measure for every group...

“We live in a terrible world, and we live in a wonderful world,” Marvel says. “It’s a terrible world that’s more than a degree Celsius warmer. But also a wonderful world in which we have so many ways to generate electricity that are cheaper and more cost-effective and easier to deploy than I would’ve ever imagined. People are writing credible papers in scientific journals making the case that switching rapidly to renewable energy isn’t a net cost; it will be a net financial benefit,” she says with a head-shake of near-disbelief. “If you had told me five years ago that that would be the case, I would’ve thought, wow, that’s a miracle.”"

-via The New York Times Magazine, October 26, 2022

[hauntedexpertcrusade]

The Future of Net Metering in Pakistan: A Path Toward Energy Independence

As Pakistan continues to face energy challenges, net metering has emerged as a powerful tool to empower consumers and promote renewable energy use. Net metering services in Pakistan allow consumers with solar energy systems to contribute excess electricity to the national grid and receive compensation. This article explores the future of net metering in Pakistan, how it works, its benefits, and the potential advancements that lie ahead.

1. What is Net Metering?

Net metering is a billing arrangement that credits solar energy system owners for the electricity they add to the grid. Homeowners with solar panels can generate their power, and when they produce more than they consume, the excess energy is sent back to the grid. The net meter tracks this exchange, offsetting electricity costs by allowing consumers to draw energy credits.

How Net Metering Works:

Energy Production: Solar panels capture sunlight and convert it into electricity.

Grid Integration: Any unused power flows back into the national grid.

Billing: The net meter measures the difference between energy consumed and energy sent to the grid, creating a balance that can lower electricity bills.

2. Current State of Net Metering in Pakistan

In recent years, net metering services in Pakistan have gained traction due to increasing electricity prices and growing awareness of renewable energy benefits. The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has established regulations for net metering, encouraging homeowners and businesses to adopt solar power.

Key Statistics:

Growth: The number of registered net metering users in Pakistan has increased significantly in the last five years.

Government Policies: Supportive policies have been introduced to streamline the application process for obtaining net metering services.

3. Benefits of Net Metering for Pakistan

The future of net metering in Pakistan holds significant promise, especially when considering the benefits that come with widespread adoption:

Energy Independence:

Net metering empowers individuals and businesses to rely less on traditional power sources. By generating their electricity, consumers can achieve greater energy security.

Cost Savings:

Selling surplus energy back to the grid can substantially reduce monthly electricity bills. This is particularly appealing in Pakistan, where power tariffs have been rising.

Reduced Carbon Footprint:

Adopting net metering encourages the use of renewable energy sources like solar power, which helps reduce the country’s carbon emissions. This shift aligns with global sustainability goals and Pakistan’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gases.

4. Challenges Facing Net Metering in Pakistan

Despite its advantages, the future of net metering in Pakistan has challenges. Understanding these hurdles is essential to developing strategies for improvement.

Limited Awareness:

While net metering services in Pakistan are becoming more popular, many potential users still need to gain awareness about their work and the benefits they can provide.

Regulatory Hurdles:

Obtaining approval for net metering can be complex and time-consuming. Simplifying these procedures is crucial to encouraging more people to use net metering services.

Grid Infrastructure:

Pakistan's ageing grid infrastructure can limit the efficient integration of excess power generated through net metering. Upgrading the national grid to handle distributed energy sources will be essential for future growth.

5. The Future of Net Metering in Pakistan

The future of net metering in Pakistan is promising, provided that strategic initiatives are implemented. Here are some key aspects to consider for the growth and development of net metering services in the country:

Technological Advancements:

Innovations in solar technology, battery storage, and smart grid systems are likely to play a pivotal role in enhancing the efficiency of net metering. Improved technology can help manage energy flow more effectively and store excess power during non-peak sunlight hours.

Policy Enhancements:

The government could introduce further incentives, such as tax credits and rebates, to promote the installation of solar energy systems and net metering services. Simplifying the approval and certification process for net meters would make it easier for more consumers to participate.

Public-Private Partnerships:

Collaboration between the public and private sectors can drive net metering infrastructure and technology investment. Such partnerships can address current limitations in the power grid and ensure a smoother integration of renewable energy sources.

6. Steps to Foster Growth in Net Metering

To ensure that the future of net metering in Pakistan reaches its potential, several strategic steps can be taken:

Awareness Campaigns: Educate the public on net metering's workings and benefits through workshops, media outreach, and educational programs.

Regulatory Support: Streamlining policies to make it easier for consumers to register for net metering services.

Infrastructure Upgrades: Investing in grid modernisation to handle increased participation in net metering.

Conclusion

The future of net metering in Pakistan is bright, with the potential to revolutionise how the country approaches energy consumption and sustainability. While there are challenges to overcome, the benefits, including cost savings, energy independence, and environmental impact, make net metering an essential part of Pakistan’s energy landscape. By continuing to improve infrastructure, policies, and public awareness, net metering services in Pakistan can pave the way for a cleaner, more energy-efficient future.

[exxsn7lights5]

Solar panel price in Pakistan