https://lemmy.nowsci.com/comment/4490200
This comment from another post of the same article has some good counter points on why this probably isn’t as bad as it sounds.
While ridiculous, there’s interesting context here.
Greenland has little to no economy
The ice is mined from ice that has already broken away from the glacier, thus not reducing any more than nature has already
Cargo ships bringing frozen food used to leave empty, now that same fuel is used to transport ice back instead of going to waste
The founder has always dreamed of a sustainable economy for Greenland
He is conflicted about how his work to do this in a sustainable way is being taken
The follow up comments are worth reading too.
Yeah not sure what exactly is dystopian about this.
What will this industry look like in 10 years? How about 30? Will other business try to move in when they discover how profitable this industry can be? Will all the capitalists follow the same rules that this guy is following?
There are entire Caribbean islands that no longer have sand beaches because they were trucked away illegally by concrete companies.
What will this industry look like in 10 years?
Better than 100 years ago when that’s how everyone got their ice
Will all the capitalists follow the same rules that this guy is following?
They’ll probably just sell regular ice with fancy marketing, like how bottled water is mostly just tap water.
There are entire Caribbean islands that no longer have sand beaches because they were trucked away illegally by concrete companies.
There’s a slight difference in scale between bougie Arabic cocktail ice, and the most widely used building material in the world.
Not saying it’s reasonable, just not exactly dystopian.
Am I crazy or is none of what you said in anyway an answer/rebuttal to what I said? Maybe I didn’t word my post correctly, maybe you were just being glib. I’m going to bed.
You where probably just tired, his replies to your questions do make sense to me.
Well no he kind of negates the whole fact of global climate change is part of what is making as much ice fall off as it is. And also that “mistakes” happen that help increase supply in several markets with naturally occuring resources. Plus if additional places are looking to get in on the Greenland Ice hurrah then they will need it. It’s likely to cause over consumption till outdoor ice molds are the only option and then even potentially more wasteful indoor ones to cool an area that’s already cold to maintain cleanliness and speed.
The “yeah yeah I’m sure it will be fine” hand waving is somewhat a near sighted answer cause yes for now it’s fine but it really doesn’t do justice to a considerate look at the possible future.
It’s a bit pessimistic to look at it seeing the worst possible but way too optimistic to think that those couldnt happen and should have restrictions to make sure they don’t.
I get it, believe me i do. But the world is collapsing on so many levels the greenlight ice isnt my personal most pressing climate change related issue. (Though of course, all these tinier collapses are alle interlinked)
In the pool that we where already drowning in, the amount of destruction global industries are allowed to cause every single day. This kinda thing is unlikely to make a noticeable dent.
That doesn’t mean its the right thing to do, your valid to want to challenge this idea but i plore you to ask is this the topic to fight about? I am on your side but id like to see us ban the very agreeable proven ancient mass polluters like cruise ships before worrying about the fleeting trends of the rich.
I am willing to bet cruiseships amount to over 50% of any “demand” for authentic ice anyway as there already on ships and no way do rich people actually care what type ice is in their glass when at home.
I think your missing some key bits of information here.
I agree the original reply didn’t put it well but the reason for the logic used to say we are fine is:
A: They use ice that came loose as a result global warming and was going to get lost, so in a way this is recycling the collateral damage rather then letting it perish
B: know those cowboyfilms featuring big blocks of ice? There used to be a huge market for natural ice as we couldn’t make more. But the novelty of natural ice in 24? they are unlikely to become more then a niche market rather then a global new ice trade.
Resulting in a : Can’t be much worse then when there was an actueel frozen-movie-style ice trade.
My opinion is irrelevant, wether you agree is yours to decide but the comment that originally replied does make a proper if not debatable argument.
If you want to debate it though, reply to them instead i am just a friendly bypasser.
The fact that they’re calling it “sustainable” when Greenland’s glaciers won’t last another 50 years.
It’s not really green to bring ice to the UAE. I doubt there is a direct route between Iceland and the UAE.
I can’t imagine an empty cargo ship and one filled with ice have the same carbon footprint?
Answer is depends on real cargo. An empty ship must ballast for stability.
What about like…bacteria and stuff? Who knows what’s in that ice!
Ice With Spice™
Literally my first thought.
Not exactly a new business model. That’s pretty much how it used to be done.
That picture is harvesting ice from frozen lakes in the winter. Not exactly the same…
Yes, but incredibly corrupt businessmen from that era created such changed demand that it redefined how people view essential vs luxuries.
Back then, having ice was a seasonal thing for everyone, a mostly year-round thing for rich landowners storing ice in their vaults, and not a thing ever at all for folks living in hot climates like the UAE. It’s why smoked food/adobe sauce exists from before mechanical refrigeration or readily available ice.
Charlie boy changed that. He shipped ice all over the world, creating demand where there wasn’t any - and caused widespread impacts to cultures and economies, not to mention the environment. Now chilled food/drink is available (if not prevalent) in most societies, and isn’t thought of as a luxury item - in the US lobbying tells us that “Ice is food” and should qualify for food stamps
The timing is terrible, however.
Oh? Everyone ready to shit on an impoverished country using their own resources?
We had iceberg ice in Newfoundland. Picked up a chunk from the beach, rinsed it off, shattered it with a sewing needle, and drank Chaga Rum.
