Batteries have all kinds of environmental issues too, lithium and cobalt for newer ones, lead for older ones.
Sure, lots of potential for new technologies to solve energy woes. But the lots of cheap energy is just around the corner argument has been made several times in the past only to not pan out.
Maybe it will be true this time. And certainly a lot more can be done on the efficiency side of the equation, improving usage patterns of the electricity already being produced.
100%.
But it all starts in the production phase. Not only looking at energy. In the past things were made with the idea that they should last for ever. These days we are living in a throw away economy, it is almost impossible to repair things. They producer have a lifetime build in to most electrical things! It more profitable for them that we replace in stead of repair!
Here in Belgium that government is on a witch hunt for company cars, with is also a 2 cutting sword. Company cars are replaced within 4 or 5 years with a new one, which is most of the time more environmental friendly, the replacedcars will find their way on the second hand market, replacing older more environmental unfriendly cars. So in this way a company car is by itself not food for the environment but on the other side it would be worse without them!
That throw away thing is not totally true. There are things that just are simply cheaper and easier to make a new, than repair old one. For example Finnish army bottles are cheaper to just make a new one, rather than trying to wash them twice a year.
Point taken. I was more referring to electrical stuff.