[ZeroGravitas]

> France’s nuclear buildout, beginning in the 1970s, achieved the greatest decarbonization in human history; ... In North America, the mantle belongs to Ontario, whose nuclear plants replaced its coal fleet.1

I am dubious of this claim, but it probably depends on exactly how you define it. But switching from a country to a province immediately sends up red flags.

[ant6n]

> France’s nuclear buildout, beginning in the 1970s, achieved the greatest decarbonization in human history

I thought it was hydro in Quebec, or perhaps Norway.

[ska]

Doesn't decarbonation imply replacing something? Lots of places with the right distributions of water use hydroelectric, because it was cheaper to build out. Ontario has craploads of water (hello, great lakes) but not much elevation, at least not in the right places.

[salmo]

Funny enough, "electricity" and "hydro" were synonymous in Toronto when I lived there in the early 90's because of Ontario Hydro. It was named for the electricity coming from Niagara Falls, but then yeah... like you said.

[ska]

Oh I forgot about Niagara ! Well one fortunately placed drop :)

[jonnybgood]

Canada has 3 out of 4 currently operating nuclear plants in Ontario. France has them scattered throughout the country. I believe that’s why Ontario is specifically mentioned.

[mcronce]

Ontario is also twice the size of France and 1/4 the population; they're at least in the same order of magnitude. I'd call it a reasonable comparison.

[frozencell]

> Ontario is also twice the size of France

You certainly mean Metropolitan France*. France is at least 10 times the size of Ontario.

[causi]

He means geographic size. Ontario has twice the land area of France.

[jacquesm]

Ontario and France are not that dissimilar in surface area, though in population they are quite different.

I think the author tried to focus on the former when of course it is the latter that should have been primary.

[erentz]

Also the electricity sector is organized around provinces in Canada. So it makes a sensible comparison.