this post was submitted on 05 Jan 2026
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Futurology
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Tell me how to make renewable infrastructure without using fossils. Or do mining, agriculture, steel, cement, glass, shipping, and so on.
We have the technology to do that all right now with renewables. Excluding raw materials for steel etc, we can mine with electric tools/machines (in fairness I don't know if these exist as of now, but it's not a crazy idea to just make an electric version of what exists already), we can farm with electric machines, shipping with electric vehicles, there are electric forges for glass/steel making etc. Once you electrify things, it can all be done with renewables and battery tech.
The biggest problem (in the US) is adoption. We could have better technology and more of it if we gave a single shit about it.
There are by-products from oil and gas which are essential for building manufacturing equipment needed for our industries and it's products. While electrifying is the future, i don't think we can wean ourselves completely off these products for some time.
You're right, there currently is, but there doesn't have to be. I agree that weening off will take a while, but that could be a boat load better with incentives
You thinking of plastics?