Methinks, yet again, there is change blowing in the wind. US President Barack Obama presented his plan for
reducing
carbon emissions to thwart climate change at Georgetown University on June 25, 2013. I confess I have only heard the summary from several news sources and understand (from these sources) that he is focusing on increased renewable energy sources (possibly a doubling of such capacity) and reducing the amount of coal burned to generate electricity.
Even if I have misunderstood the pundits, there has already been a fair amount of discussion on what is right and wrong with these approaches. And, of course, it is evident that their level of agreement or disagreement is based upon the economic impact his plan will have on the pundit. I don't know that anyone in the coal industry wishes to see their business face more regulatory hurdles, taxes, fines, etc.
Frankly, I don't know how far any government can go to restrict economic activity especially as it relates to electricity. Almost all of us are tethered to electricity and for many (the ill, the infirmed) it is literally as necessary as water and air. As such, it is not easy for the populace to grapple with immediate needs (for electricity) versus long term needs (for a sustainable environment). Yes, we can do our part to reduce, reuse, and recycle, to be more efficient but we want our mobility, our information, our communication, our lights, our heat, and our air conditioning. As I said above, government regulation can only go so far.
As I see it, the newfound shale gas and tight oil that is now being tapped in parts of the United States is the beginning of a revolution that changes the equation in a way that can be good for both the climate change issue that President Obama addressed and consumer demand (I'll call it a 'want' and not a 'need' but wars have been fought over similar 'wants').
At this point, I can only ask questions but I think it is important to ask questions and sustain a dialog because I believe that the world economy could be (and probably will be) transformed by the energy and raw materials derived from shale gas and tight oil not only in the United States but globally. The drilling and production now underway may transform the petrochemical industry and may provide energy for use by utilities, industry, and consumers that is cleaner and more efficient. If so, we may want to apply more technical, financial, and industrial resources to these efforts. And we may find that the application of these resources trump any legislated resources (or, as they are often seen, constraints).
I believe I am doing what I can and hope to do more; so the singular question I ask is: Are you? |
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