So Elon Musk, gravely disappointed that President Trump has withdrawn the United States from the climate-irrelevant (full implementation throughout the century would reduce global temperature by only 0.17C) but outrageously expensive (full implementation would cost $70 to $140 trillion) Paris climate accord, has quit the President’s business advisory council.

Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, of course had no special interest in whether the U.S. should stay in Paris. Of course not—not with his huge financial interest in high-end electric cars, electric storage batteries, and solar, none of which is economically competitive on a level playing field with internal combustion engines powered by gasoline or diesel. As of November 2015 Musk had enjoyed, or was scheduled to enjoy, some $4.9 billion in federal subsidies.

No, Mr. Musk is in it for the good of humanity.

Somebody hand me a hanky.

 

(Updated June 4, 2017.)

 

 

Featured image “Elon Musk, Tesla Factory, Fremont (CA, USA),” courtesy of Maurizio Pesce, Flickr Creative Commons.