The fossil fuel comeback is here
Published
What's this about?
The US is building more fossil fuel infrastructure than it has in a decade while renewable energy growth slows down, a new report shows. Electricity demand is also climbing faster than it has in more than a decade with more data centers, factories, and electric vehicles plugging into the grid. Despi
The one-panel cartoon
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A dimly lit, industrial-sized server room filled with towering racks of humming data servers and a small team of technicians checking equipment, with a large new natural gas pipeline visible through a window behind the servers.
Caption: Welcome to the future, where our servers run on dinosaur farts.
Read the full 3-panel strip
Based on the original story on theverge.com.
Editor's note
As the US ramps up fossil fuel infrastructure, it's crucial to ask who benefits from this shift and who gets left behind. While meeting rising electricity demands is important, we must ensure that the transition doesn't lock us into outdated energy systems, exacerbating inequality and climate risks.
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Read the script
Panel 1
(a) The subject of the story is the resurgence of fossil fuel infrastructure in the United States, despite the growing demand for renewable energy sources and the increasing importance of sustainability. (b) The irony is that while there's a clear global shift towards renewable energy and environmental conservation, the US is investing heavily in fossil fuels, which contradicts the broader trend towards cleaner energy sources. (c) The highlight is a conversation between a coal miner and a tech worker, highlighting the absurdity of the resurgence of fossil fuels despite the growth of renewable energy and the increasing demand for sustainable practices.
Panel 2
*Setting: A dimly lit coal mine. A tired coal miner, Tom, is pushing a cart of coal along a dusty track, sweating profusely. His face is streaked with coal dust.*
Tom: I never thought I'd see the day when we're digging up more coal than solar panels.
Panel 3
*Setting: A modern data center. Rows of humming servers and high-tech workers. A young tech worker, Jane, is checking the status of the servers. She looks puzzled and concerned.*
Jane: We're seeing a surge in power demand, but our servers are running on coal? How did that happen?
Panel 4
*Setting: A cozy, dimly lit bar. Tom and Jane are sitting at a counter, drinking beers and chatting. Tom looks relieved and amused, while Jane is bewildered.* Tom (chuckles) Jane (sighs) *The scene ends with a shared smile and a nod.*
Tom: Seems like the world's got its priorities mixed up, huh?
Jane: Yeah, but what are we supposed to do? It's like trying to charge an electric car with a diesel generator.
Tom: Guess we're living in the past and the future at the same time.
Jane: At least we're both still here, right?
Tom: Sure are. And we'll figure it out together.
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