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by MichaelCollins 1376 days ago
What would you have Hungarians do? The comment above yours seems to suggest that it's ecologically irresponsible to live in hot climates where AC is required, but also ecologically irresponsible to live in cold climates where heating is required. Hungary has a temperate climate, but the summers there still get dangerously hot, and the winters dangerously cold.

Why did Hungary remove protection for forests to allow people to collect firewood? Presumably because they think it's necessary. So what would you have them do instead, abandon their country?
2 comments
ricardobayes 1376 days ago
They had a policy of freezing energy prices at 2013 prices, in 2013. This limit was removed after 9 years, in the first of September of this year. Since then, prices increased tenfold, so households are receiving shock bills. On average hungarians lived their lives incredibly wasteful, leaving lights on all the time, because it was dirt cheap. They never invested anything in renewables, because it didn't matter. They thought they were smarter than everyone else, but it eventually caught up to them. I remember literally all my friends 'back home' outright mocking me how much more I spend on electricity. Their only trump card was always, "yeah but life here is so cheap!" This winter I can guarantee you we will see people burn their furniture and household trash to stay warm. As to what they should be doing, well, I'm not an energy policy specialist, but every other country in Europe is able to solve this situation without chopping down their protected forests, so there must be some other ways.
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galdosdi 1376 days ago
> Presumably because they think it's necessary.

For people who have studied the history of how countries and their leadership make decisions, even just superficially (eg, you've followed the news for 20 years), this is actually a very strange presumption.

It is historically just as plausible that it's not thought necessary for society as a whole, but is simply profitable for some special interest, such as (just an example, not an actual suggestion) a large forest land owner.

I thought this was obvious, unless one is very young still or one has never taken any interest in history or current events.

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MichaelCollins 1376 days ago
How do you think Hungarians should heat their homes this winter?

Not, 'What could they have done five years ago?' or 'What could they do five years from now?' I want to know how Hungarians can heat their homes 5 months from now. That's the question the government of Hungary is forced to address.

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jjav 1376 days ago
Since burning forests to heat homes is not sustainable nor renewable (at a timescale that makes sense), it's not a rational solution. What will they do 5 years from now (or however many years that all forests are gone)?
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MichaelCollins 1376 days ago
> What will they do 5 years from now (or however many years that all forests are gone)?

Solar panels and heat pumps seem like a good long-term solution, but that can't be done in time to keep people warm this winter. So for this winter, what would you have them do? Freeze? Travel back in time a few years and come up with a better solution?

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tuatoru 1376 days ago
Recruit some of the displaced Ukrainians from Poland, and get them to install insulation.

Edit: you seem to be under the impression that this "firewood" will go to households of all income levels. GP's statement about naivete is reinforced.

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s1artibartfast 1376 days ago
They could buy natural gas like they always have if they so chose to?

I'm sure it would sting to do so, but it is an option.

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