The old conundrum - embodied energy versus cost saving over lifetime...

Posted By: VictorianecoThe old conundrum - embodied energy {and embodied carbon - not the same thing} versus cost saving over lifetime...

In other words, the economy and the state of technology is at present organised so that reduced £ running cost is achieved by using products whose production and installation put loads of CO2e into the environment.

This is no accident, as that's how corporations maximise their profits - incentivising us to buy by promising reduced £ running cost (rather than by our weaker concern for eco-cost) while having no regard themselves for eco-cost. The legislative and ideological structure is strongly set up to perpetuate this, and isn't changing. Despite that remaining true, corporations did seem to be moving slowly to prioritise minimising eco-cost, but in the last year or two this has been revealed as a greenwashing sham, encouraged by Trumpist disinformation which we the buyers are sadly swallowing whole.

In a different world, it's totally feasible that the economy, the state of technology, legislation and ideology could all align, so that ever-reducing £ running cost, ever-reducing eco-cost, and national return on investment adequate to support a civilised society for all, could all pull in the same direction.

What would it take to reach that state? Because if we don't, our grandchildren are doomed.

A faint hope, given that "legislative and ideological structure is strongly set up to perpetuate this, and isn't changing" and The Money is determined to keep it so, because it strongly suits their interests.