Europe’s economy is slowing sharply as the Iran war drives up energy costs, deepening pressure on households and challenging policy makers. Fresh data for May showed euro zone business activity contracted at its fastest pace in more than two years while inflation pressures intensified, raising fears of a prolonged cost-of-living crunch and possible recession.
China can’t offer us fertilizer or gas. For Europe, that comes out from Russia, Belarus or the Middle East. Among these, I’d pick the Middle East, but that’s going to put us on a collision course with the United States and Israel. Which I think is overdue, but we shouldn’t underestimate it or gloss it over.
I’m not saying we can’t do more with solar and wind, but I’d much rather see solar and wind in Africa rather than Europe. Global warming is global. Half of all jet fuel is used for cooking. The obvious fix is to provide solar panels to rural communities, rather than install them onto brick house rooftops in European suburbs.
But overall, I agree. We need diverse energy sources, and we absolutely should do more on sustainable agriculture. Having a slightly larger proportion of the work force in agriculture is absolutely fine.