Renewable energy now!

Renewable energy must and will be the future. The question is just how far off is that future? Here in the US we are doing more about it, but it is a tiny snowball just beginning to form in the minds of the masses. With encouragement we can keep it rolling and growing. Energy prices are beginning to significantly impact our standard of living, and "cheap" energy is a thing of the past. We are stuck with oil for the moment because it was a one-size-fits-all solution in the past. In the future, we need a diversified approach that will more accurately reflect the locality. Solar and wind are great but are not abundant in the same places. The Great Plains ought to become dotted with wind turbines as the Southwest installs solar panels. Coastal zones can benefit from tidal power generation. Hydroelectric can play a role near streams and rivers. We must promote the benefits of renewables but we also must be intelligent in the way they are applied, and sensitive to the needs of any locality.

At a recent UN investor's summit, financial leaders pledged to invest $10 billion in clean energy opportunities. The last time they made a commitment, they made good on it in under a year, though this commitment is much larger than the last. This is great news. It looks like some important people are starting to see the writing on the wall.

Here's a link to the article:

http://www.un.org/News/briefings/docs//2008/080214_Climate_Risk.doc.htm