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Elon Musk’s $1.5Bn Price-tag for Starlink has Sparked Outrage in Italy: Giorgia Meloni is facing a political shit storm over government’s talks with Elon Musk’s SpaceX to provide secure communications, just as Europe is launching its own rival satellite initiative. “It is simply not a solution compatible with national security,” Centrist lawmaker Carlo Calenda, a former industry minister, said. Former prime minister Matteo Renzi said that “if Musk wants to invest in Italy, he is welcome. If Musk wants Italian taxpayers’ money, Meloni must explain how, why and when.” Elly Schlein, leader of the Democratic party, the largest opposition party, has demanded Meloni and her ministers appear in parliament to brief lawmakers on the talks with SpaceX. “If the price we have to pay for Musk’s friendship is $1.5bn to put his satellites into orbit, we won’t accept it,” she said. “Italy won’t sell out.” Her office denied a media report that she discussed the possible Starlink deal with US president-elect Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago last weekend, calling the suggestion “simply ridiculous”. Defense minister Guido Crosetto told parliament last year that Rome had no choice but to engage SpaceX, given its existing monopoly on low-orbit satellite communications, & said the potential European alternative would take years to get up & running. Deputy prime minister Matteo Salvini dismissed the idea that there was any risk involved in a SpaceX contract, & urged Meloni to hurry to seal a deal. “Musk is a protagonist of innovation on a global level: a possible agreement with him to guarantee connection & modernity throughout Italy would not be a danger but an opportunity,” he said. “I trust the government will accelerate in this direction.” Source: FT

Important to note that what happens on Earth’s surface (eg farming) has no meaningful impact on climate change. Overwhelmingly, the risk of climate change is due to moving billions of tons of carbon from deep underground into the atmosphere. Over time, if we keep doing this, the chemical makeup of our atmosphere will change enough to induce meaningful climate change.