Category Archives: International

New Zealand Energy

Education, Environment, International, Science

New Zealand Energy

We moved to New Zealand a year ago after living in the USA for the previous 16 years. I met my wife when I lived in NZ from 2000 to 2009. One thing I did not know until recently was NZ’s intention to transition to 100% renewable energy. The following is from Wikipedia.

“The electricity sector in New Zealand uses mainly renewable energy, such as hydropower, geothermal power, and increasingly wind energy. As of 2021, the country generated 81.2% of its electricity from renewable sources. The electrification strategy is being pursued to increase the penetration of renewable energy sources and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across all sectors of the economy. In 2021, electricity consumption reached 40 terawatt-hours (TW⋅h), representing a 0.2% increase compared to the consumption levels in 2010.

The 2011–2021 Energy Strategy of New Zealand aims for a 90% share of renewable electricity by 2025. Following this, the government raised its ambition by setting a goal of achieving 100% renewable electricity by 2030.”

 In 2024, the rate was over 85%, but the 90% goal was still possible.

Quality of Life

Broken in the USA, Economics, Education, International, Perspectives

Quality of Life

Life expectancy is one measure of value, but the more important factor would be what is the expected quality of life term? What good is it to expect to live to be 90 when the last 15 years are in pain & misery or incapacitated? I have failed to find this information on the all-knowing Internet, but the following are some factors to consider by country.

 Rank Country Life Expectancy (Years) Male Life Expectancy Female Life Expectancy
1 Monaco 89.4 85.6 93.1
2 Japan 84.3 81.1 87.1
3 Singapore 84.1 81.6 86.4
4 Macau 84 81 87
5 San Marino 83.9 81.4 86.3
6 Iceland 83.3 81.2 85.2
7 Hong Kong 83.2 80.3 86.1
8 Andorra 83 80.8 85.1
9 Switzerland 82.9 80.5 85.1
10 South Korea 82.8 79.7 85.6
11 Spain 82.6 79.5 85.4
12 Australia 82.5 80.2 84.6
13 Italy 82.4 79.8 84.8
14 Israel 82.3 80.1 84.3
15 Sweden 82.2 80.3 83.9
16 Luxembourg 82.1 79.7 84.4
17 Norway 82 80.1 83.8
18 New Zealand 82 80 84
18 Malta 81.9 79.8 83.9
19 France 81.8 78.9 84.5
20 Finland 81.7 78.7 84.4
USA 48th

  Country/Region Stability Rights Health Safety Climate Costs Popularity Total rank

-15% -20% -15% 10% -15% – 15% – 10% 100% 1 Australia 96 88 97 91 29 82 82 81 2 Switzerland 92 100 94 100 50 45 86 81 3 San Marino 92 85 100 99 70 53 59 80 4 Luxembourg 93 100 87 98 43 36 94 78 5 Macao * 90 69 98 99 55 75 63 78 6 Hong Kong * 88 80 100 100 65 58 51 78 7 Sweden 87 98 86 92 32 55 87 77 8 Norway 89 99 90 94 28 46 93 76 9 New Zealand   93 100 84 99 50 27 79 76 10 Malta 84 64 93 99 82 33 93 76 11 Austria 83 88 96 99 45 45 78 76 12 Germany 84 93 94 97 39 47 76 75 13 UAE 86 65 79 90 55 74 92 75 14 Japan 87 88 92 99 60 35 65 75 15 Netherlands 84 98 84 98 38 39 89 75 16 Finland 82 100 85 99 31 44 86 75 17 Ireland 91 95 85 100 20 45 91 74 18 Portugal 76 74 88 99 77 43 67 74 19 Denmark 88 100 84 99 31 34 83 74 20 South Korea 86 78 91 92 63 43 65 74                  

USA 38th  

User

Combined rank Best
Lower is better
6 (1+5=6) 1 Macao 6
(3+5)=8 2 San Moreno 8
(2+9=11) 3 Switzerland 11
13 (1+12=13) 4 Australia 13
13 (6+7=13) 5 Hong Kong 13 16(2+14=16) 6 Japan 16 20(4+16) 7 Luxembourg 20 22 (7+15=22) 8 Sweden 22 25 (8+17=25) 9 Norway 25 27 (9+18) 10 New Zealand 27 28 (10+18=28) 11 Malta 28 (20+10=30) 12 South Korea 30 36 (16+20=36) 13 Finland 36









Reflecting on the Iraq & Afghanistan conflicts

Broken in the USA, Finance, Government Issues, International, Perspectives, tax related issues

Reflecting on the Iraq & Afghanistan conflicts

The United States lost 2,459 military personnel in Afghanistan between October 2001 and August 2021, with 1,922 of those killed in action. In addition, there were civilian contractor fatalities, with estimates around 1,822, and 18 CIA operatives also killed during the conflict. The total death toll from the conflict, however, is much higher, including significantly more Afghan civilians and other allied troops, as well as those who died indirectly from the war’s effects on infrastructure and public health

In the 20 years since September 11, 2001, the United States has spent more than $2 trillion on the war in Afghanistan. That’s $300 million dollars per day, every day, for two decades. Or $50,000 for each of Afghanistan’s 40 million people.

In March 2003, U.S. forces invaded Iraq vowing to destroy Iraqi weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and end the dictatorial rule of Saddam Hussein. When WMD intelligence proved illusory and a violent insurgency arose, the war lost public support. Saddam was captured, tried, and hanged and democratic elections were held. In the years since, there have been over 4,700 U.S. and allied troop deaths, and more than one hundred thousand Iraqi civilians have been killed. Meanwhile, questions linger over Iraq’s fractious political situation.

The CBO estimated that of the $2.4 trillion long-term price tag for the war, about $1.9 trillion of that would be spent on Iraq, or $6,300 per US citizen in just under 9 years.

Does this make sense to you?