Assist CleanTechnica’s work via a Substack subscription or on Stripe.
This web site is targeted on cleantech for a purpose. So many individuals are champions of cleantech as a result of we wish to shield human life and security (and in addition life on Earth past people). Each tech web site covers photo voltaic and EVs now, as a result of tehy’re merely “cool new tech.” Each automotive web site covers EVs now. Nevertheless, there’s nonetheless that authentic core of us who championed EVs and photo voltaic as a result of they’re cleartech. It’s, due to this fact, extraordinarily disappointing, really heartbreaking, and deeply upsetting that one of many giants of the cleantech revolution used momentary political energy to primarily finish the lives of hundreds of thousands of individuals.
Let me be frank — I don’t assume Elon Musk truly thinks he’s brought about the untimely deaths of hundreds of thousands of individuals, however there are actually individuals who do imagine he knew what he was doing. Both approach, although, that is the consequence. That is the results of Musk’s actions at “DOGE” (the “Division of Authorities Effectivity”). And it’s horrible, past horrible. What it’s can’t be expressed in phrases.
As one individual on X shares, “The craziest factor that I can not recover from is that Elon has brought about 600,000 deaths, with a projected 14 million deaths over the subsequent 5 years, due to his USAID cuts. That’s extra deaths than the holocaust. But he nonetheless will get to stroll round.”
That is in response to investigative reporting and deep, detailed analyses by varied consultants within the subject.
You possibly can dig into these hyperlinks for the main points. It’s not enjoyable studying. It’s deeply heartbreaking.
This is the reason, after all, so many individuals turned in opposition to Elon Musk and Tesla earlier this yr. Even past any ideological assist for sure Trump insurance policies associated to gender or taxes on billionaires or deregulation, this was a merciless hit to numerous individuals and past regular politics, far past regular politics. USAID obtained bipartisan assist for many years, as a result of it helped individuals in ways in which Republicans and Democrats alike understood had been vital. Based in 1961, USAID has helped hundreds of thousands upon hundreds of thousands of individuals, and it has additionally superior the USA’s popularity, respect, and assist in quite a few nations.
Of all of the methods Elon Musk may have helped to chop truly unhelpful waste from authorities budgets, why give attention to USAID? Why do one thing so hurtful and dangerous?
There are numerous theories that attempt to reply this — from not liking investigations into himself and his corporations (there could also be a hyperlink there), to conspiracy theories and misinformation about USAID, to deep South African ties that biased Musk in opposition to USAID.
Then there are additionally rumors and suspicions about drug use. “Trump chief of workers Susie Wiles says Elon is on medication (as he downplays Hitler’s cruelty) and ‘no rational individual’ may assume how he slashed USAID (letting many individuals die throughout the globe and diminishing affect) was good,” one individual commented in summarizing a latest Self-importance Truthful story and New York Instances protection of the identical.
It’s incomprehensible and abhorrent. It additionally comes at devastating, excessive human price. Chief of Employees Wiles additionally mentioned JD Vance was a “conspiracy theorist for a decade.” Vance’s entire profession has principally been funded by Musk buddy Peter Thiel. Conspiracy theories fly round in these circles like water, alongside need for revolutionary dismantling of the US authorities. This feeds into the idea that Musk destroyed USAID due to conspiracy theories about what it did. And, in reality, USAID was absolutely not 100% angels and altruism, however closing down funding to assist hundreds of thousands (whereas giving US farmers a spot to promote their crops) due to a couple of conspiracy theories nonetheless doesn’t make the choice logical, proper, or humane. It was an inhumane, disastrous coverage determination that wasn’t even Elon Musk’s, or Donald Trump’s, to make. But it was made.
Musk nonetheless claims that DOGE was considerably profitable. However it was not. The prices for People outweigh the financial savings. In different phrases, there aren’t any web financial savings, simply web prices. Listed here are some articles on that time:
The Big Fraud of DOGE
It’s Official: Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s “DOGE” Value Taxpayers $21.7 Billion
DOGE Failed — Until It Was About Ulterior Motives
With this all in thoughts, can it actually be a shock that hundreds of thousands of individuals have now sworn off shopping for a Tesla, not desirous to assist Elon Musk within the slightest approach?
When you nonetheless don’t perceive how chopping USAID is costing lives, learn this story, or this one, or this one, after which go from there.
Many individuals consider Jesus Christ presently of yr, as a result of it’s mentioned that Christmas is about celebrating his start, regardless that he was born at a special time of yr. Is that this how Jesus Christ would have behaved, chopping off assist to hundreds of thousands upon hundreds of thousands of poor and struggling individuals, refugees, unlucky youngsters, infants, and moms? Is the heartless closure of USAID actually one thing individuals assume Christians ought to assist?
More and more, individuals on the Christian proper need authorities and church merged, appearing collectively in live performance. There was no different company extra in step with the teachings of Christ than USAID. Actually not the brand new Division of Battle, which is the place a lot of the US funds truly goes. However how many individuals on the correct are going to assist the unlawful bombing of individuals on boats and a brand new struggle with Venezuela (a brand new oil struggle) whereas supporting the unlawful closure of USAID? Somewhat than saving hundreds of thousands of lives, we’re spending more cash to kill individuals. “Although shalt not kill” is outwardly being changed with “although shalt not save lives.”
Featured picture by CleanTechnica.
Join CleanTechnica’s Weekly Substack for Zach and Scott’s in-depth analyses and excessive degree summaries, join our each day publication, and comply with us on Google Information!
Have a tip for CleanTechnica? Wish to promote? Wish to recommend a visitor for our CleanTech Speak podcast? Contact us right here.
Join our each day publication for 15 new cleantech tales a day. Or join our weekly one on prime tales of the week if each day is simply too frequent.
CleanTechnica makes use of affiliate hyperlinks. See our coverage right here.
CleanTechnica’s Remark Coverage