Two Birds, One Stone
The results of a recent Gallup Poll confirm recent reports that the American public’s skepticism about the threat posed by global warming continues to increase. This has been particularly true in the wake of the mistakes discovered within the IPCC’s 2007 report and “climategate.” Only 32 percent of Americans polled in March of this year believe global warming poses a serious threat to them in their lifetime. This is down from a high of 40 percent in March of 2008.
At this time last year, Gallup asked Americans about the trade-off between the environment and the economy. Fifty-one percent reported preference for pursuing economic growth over protecting the environment (42 percent). It has become increasingly clear, however, that a trade-off may not in fact need to exist. These issues can and should be tackled using a “two birds, one stone” methodology.
Whether global temperatures increase by 3 degrees Celsius by 2025 or by 2050, investing in sustainable energies ensures America’s continued competitiveness in the global market. Energy Secretary Steven Chu writes in his recent opinion piece:
Regardless of what the skeptics may think, there are indeed 20-dollar bills lying on the ground all around us. We only need the will — and the ways — to pick them up.
These $20 bills can be pocketed by Americans if we invest in 21st century sustainable energy markets. US economic recovery within both the private and the public sectors would be best advanced through the use of our resources to research and develop energy-efficient policies and technologies.
Writes Andrew Geshwiler, member of the Tennessee Business Leaders for a Clean Energy Economy,
Fact: Wind, solar and advanced batteries are all industries invented here in the U.S., but of the top 30 companies in the world in these industries, only six are American. We should strive for leadership in these industries…
Fact: China has 11 nuclear plants and 20 under construction, with plans for more. India has 18 nuclear plants, five under construction. The U.S. has not built a new nuclear power plant in more than 30 years.
Investing in sustainable, energy-efficient solutions guarantees American competitiveness in the global market. As Geshwiler mentions in his op-ed, China continues to build is renewable energy capacity. In particular, China has proven proficient in the development of wind-generated energy. Staying competitive means the US must expand and deepen its involvement in this and similar sectors, As the Earth Policy Institute reports,
China is not stopping with wind. Although solar photovoltaics (PV) have thus far remained too costly for widespread deployment in the Chinese market, production for export has skyrocketed. Though its PV production before 2002 was near zero, by 2008 China had become the world’s number one producer.
Skepticism concerning global warming’s effects aside, our ability to grow and maintain the world’s most vibrant economy depends on our development of renewable energy technologies at home. This is the surest way to remain competitive and to ensure a safer environment – two birds, one stone.
