Why is the current administration focused on the sustainability of our nation and renewable energy when American industry is in its worst state since the great depression? Why is Obama touting a “green economy” while our solid, reliable manufacturing and production economy crumbles under our feet? How does the government expect to build a new economy when it cannot fix the old one? The economy is built on Texas tea, and now that the oil is disappearing, we can’t fix the old system. We have to build a new industry that considers the full range of benefits and consequences for people all over the world in every action, and that can safely power our continued, long-term economic growth. The foundation for this economy will be renewable resources, and the administration must invest in clean and renewable energy research and implementation if we are to remain competitive with the rest of the world.
Unfortunately, basing an economy on a finite natural resource (as we have in the past) sets the scene for a massive crash with little hope for recovery. As early as 1956, scientists proposed the bell-shaped curve associated with oil production, and the peak of this bell curve was reached in America in the late 70′s, leading to the first American energy crisis. As we entered the 80′s, 90′s, and even the new millennium, society showed the restraint of coked-up swine, buying and wasting as much as we pleased, eating half of our big macs before throwing the rest away, and driving our huge cars wherever we wanted. The energy (and environmental) concerns were largely ignored by the masses, who assumed the problem would go away if we just ignored it for long enough. We were all happy as long as we had big cars, cheap gas, and 124-ounce mega gulps. The economy was booming, and, as Coolidge famously said, “the business of America is business.” When the stock market was profitable and everyone had more than enough disposable income, we forgot about the cracks in the GDP facade.
When it all came crumbling down, there was more than enough blame to go around- but one factor that likely contributed was all but ignored: Oil. The rapidly fluctuating commodity that our entire economy, nay, our very way of life, depends on to function has most likely reached top production worldwide. We’re at the top of the bell curve again, but this time the whole world is along for the ride to the poor house. If we don’t fight our addiction to oil, our economy will crash right along with OPEC’s production.
Many countries have started to move toward a green economy, and the United States is still at the starting gate, trying to figure out if we’re going to join the race. We cannot afford not to, and we must start soon. Our automobile industry, once the envy of the world, is a perfect example of failure caused by inaction and an unwillingness to adapt to a changing industry. Regardless of global warming or any other environmental concerns that polarize the nation, we must realize that the world economy is moving away from fossil fuels toward renewable energy and green manufacturing. We are already lagging, and if we want to remain a major player in the world market, American innovation in green technology is necessary.
Obama’s stimulus package is a great (but late) boon to the research and development of technologies that will fuel our future economic growth. Without new and cutting-edge technology, the stagnation of our economy will not be overcome. We cannot risk a return to our economy’s infancy, when we were a country of raw materials that were exported and manufactured elsewhere, as this would likely lead to complete societal collapse and the end of American life as we know it. (Bread lines, anyone?)
The private sector, for some reason, is ignoring the obvious, and resisting any attempts to force entrance into the green economy. They realize the green technology will take capitol that is oftentimes returned very slowly, with less profit margin than fossil fuels. But, they should also realize that fossil fuels will only continue to be as profitable as they have in the past if demand (and hence price) for oil and natural gas continues to rise, and that hoarding the last of the fossil fuel reserves will only work for so long. Green technology will become profitable as innovations make it more efficient and demand makes it more widespread. One of the major problems for the green energy business is its small size, which gives fossil fuels an advantage due to economies of scale.
Some experts are unsure that we will be able to meet our energy needs with renewable alone. Future advances in green technology should lessen this problem, but most renewable power sources produce energy sporadically, making them somewhat unreliable. Nuclear energy is a good choice for base load power, which is power that can be consistently and reliably produced in any natural environment. Nuclear energy is often viewed negatively by citizens and proponents of renewables, but it is much more efficient and environmentally friendly than coal, which is the current source for most of our base load power.
It will take a massive, well-planned effort on the part of our government and our citizens to build a secure, responsible economic future. Energy companies are extremely resistant to change, and must be forced to do so. Our ways of life depend on it. There is no other tactic that can pull us from the flames of economic damnation and save our souls as quickly and efficiently as moving towards sustainability and green power. The change will be painful, but as a nation we are strong, and we can rip off the fossil fuel band-aid with one determined yank, growing the hairs of a new economy where fossil fuels have stripped the ground bare.
Obama can lead the green revolution if he chooses to take the difficult route, pushing for massive change in every facet of society, or he can follow in the footsteps of every president for the last 30 years, and ignore the elephant in the room for eight more. His stimulus is a start, but it’s only the beginning of a necessary war with the energy industry and the American people who refuse to lift a finger for change. His energy plan is promising, but presidents often ignore their vows once elected. At the cusp of disaster, every choice will have myriad consequences, and the most difficult path may be the one that saves us all. The country and the rest of humankind is at a fork in the road. The path we choose will change our planet forever. Will we take the easy way out for now, and leave the problem with our children, or fight through the unknown in an attempt to save the world as we know it? The choice is ours.
Sources:
Citizen………. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Journalistic…. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Institutional… 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Academic…… 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Blogs……….. 1, 2, 3
Interviews…. 1, 2, 3
Still Image…. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Multimedia…. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
