Renewable Energy For A Non-Renewable Planet

When Jay Inslee, the Governor of Washington, ran for president, he ran on one issue which he said was “The only issue” in the 2020 election. That issue was the environment.

Given the fires, smoke, hurricanes, floods, windstorms and droughts we are now witnessing at increasing intensity and alarming frequency, looks like he was right. What good is it to solve all the other challenges we face if we can no longer inhabit the planet? The very pandemic which threatens the human race is being shown to be climate related.

Survival is Not Political

The rest of the world has identified carbon emissions as the culprit, but in the US, the cause of climate change is still considered to be “debatable.” When asked about her views on climate change, the latest Supreme Court Judge said she did not “have any views” on climate change. To that, Greta Thunberg, the young Swedish climate activist said, “To be fair, I don’t have any ‘views on climate change’ either. Just like I don’t have any ‘views’ on gravity, the fact that the earth is round, photosynthesis nor evolution… But understanding and knowing their existence really makes life in the 21st century so much easier.”

The Oil-ephant in The Room

Why is this topic such a no-no for so many when its obvious, existential, and eminent? Why is this elephant in the room not recognized for what it is doing to the world we live in, including our homes, our health, and our livelihoods? We think it’s because so many make their livelihood on the production and burning of fossil fuels. They have been taught to believe that any change is bad and will cost them their jobs. It’s like asking people to choose between their money or their life!

Buggy Whip Business

The fossil fuel industry is doing its best to drive that fear home. They want to protect their subsidies and their monopolies. This is at the expense of the very people who are being asked to shoulder the cost of climate change – the taxpayers, the consumers, and the alternative energy competitors. Interestingly, several large oil companies are checking their bets with big investments into wind and solar themselves. Do they see the handwriting on the wall?

Ironically, when the internal combustion engine pushed the horse-and-buggy business to the curb, the makers of buggy whips took a big hit, hence the term for obsolete enterprises, “Buggy Whip businesses.”

The Rest of the World Gets It!

Europe and Asia are pushing internal combustion to the curb right now. In 30 years, carbon emitting vehicles will be obsolete “Buggy Whip” solutions in much of the rest of the world. But where will those Buggy Whippers work? Many will secure high paying jobs in the clean energy sector.

The same can happen here. It’s not just jobs, it’s new businesses to create and support green energy. Why should the US, the traditional leader in new technologies, fall behind in the global sea change toward green industries? Why should we be stuck selling buggy whips to a world that doesn’t need (or want) them anymore?

The Voters Can Force a Change

If the oil companies lost their subsidies for ultimately hurting the environment, and if they received incentives for producing clean energy, with their amassed wealth they could make the change and re- train their own people the fastest.

Inslee was right. We have to vote like our lives depend on it …because they do!