Getting Beyond the Politics
Greetings. In a few days we'll know if 15,000 delegates to the "U.N. Conference on Climate Change" have figured out a way to work together to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. You know, those pesky little "by-products" of our over dependence on fossil fuels. It's a very tough assignment, and one that probably doesn't have a political or a policy solution. But since a bunch of smart and dedicated people are willing to spend their valuable time seeking common ground in the semi-tropical winter destination of Copenhagen, Denmark, I'll try to remain optimistic.
That is until I listen to many of our politicians talking about the issue. People who won't actually be around to see the results of their deliberate in-action. And since they are politicians, its safe to say that most (though not all) are more interested in the special interests that support them and their own survival than the survival of the planet. As a result, many have determined that the best way to derail the real question is to scream "Climategate" and sing the amazing if not completely honest praises of "clean" and "abundant" coal. Are these the very same people who tout the power of the free market while attempting to undermine the single biggest free market opportunity in our future–the challenge of converting the entire world to clean and sustainable energy?
If there was ever a challenge worthy of our investment, this is it. A potential driver of the global economy for decades to come. An amazing opportunity to unlock our collective genius and assure our future and shared prosperity. A path to restore our environment before we find polar bears swimming the breaststroke in the English Channel. Not to mention the chance to free ourselves from the tightening grip of foreign oil. An infinitely finite resource that is, with the possible exception of the Norwegians, controlled by people who really dislike us.
To see one picture of what our future could look like, check out the November issue of Scientific American. In it you'll find a very thoughtful article by Mark Jacobson of Stanford and Mark Delucchi of UC Davis titled "A Path to Sustainability by 2030." In it they suggest that we have the ability to create all of our energy from wind, water, and solar power in only 20 years.
Then ponder whether we're asking the right questions in our public discourse–a discourse that is more about fear than the promise of a new future of remarkable possibilities. A future filled with innovation, genius, and the chance to create real opportunity for a much greater percentage of the world's citizens. And while you are at it, try to imagine what would happen if you ran your business based on fear rather than creating opportunities to be brilliant.
The question is not whether climate change matters. The real question is whether or not we are bold enough to transform our energy future. What's your role in making it happen?
Cheers!
