Spring Break
If global warming never happened
Daniel Gibson-Reinemer
Issue date: 8/28/07 Section: Opinion
We have the resources to continue mining and burning fossil fuels to power our microwaves, but that hardly makes it a wise choice.
As the saying goes, the Stone Age didn't end because people ran out of stones. Changes in the technology we use occur because people recognize the improvements offered by a new approach and the drawbacks of the old approach.
Contrary to the straw man arguments constructed by opponents of green technology, this emerging field is infused with the spirit of capitalism and the desire to provide tangible benefits to customers.
In this century, we will move away from hydrocarbon sources, and do so without sacrificing the basic lifestyle we enjoy. Indeed, maintaining a high quality of life and service is the only way to produce a new, lasting era of technology.
Simply put, billions of people will not accept new energy sources and technologies unless they like the product.
From Tesla roadsters to cheaper lighting, there is a common theme of providing products which are more efficient and as good or better than their more traditional counterparts. (Yes, the new Tesla cars are more expensive than most other cars; so was the first car in relation to a horse. Economies of scale lower costs dramatically.)
Without global warming, we would still see this shift towards greater efficiency. National security, health and climate concerns have hastened its advance.
We need a tipping point - a critical mass of interest and investment to reduce the cost of a hydrocarbon lifestyle and foster an awareness of the true cost of traditional energy sources.
You don't have to agree with the scientific consensus on global warming. Just take a keen interest in keeping America innovative, efficient, healthy and stingy towards dangerous regimes.
Daniel Gibson-Reinember is a fishery and wildlife biology graduate student. His column appears occasionally in the Collegian. Letters and feedback can be sent to letters@collegian.com
As the saying goes, the Stone Age didn't end because people ran out of stones. Changes in the technology we use occur because people recognize the improvements offered by a new approach and the drawbacks of the old approach.
Contrary to the straw man arguments constructed by opponents of green technology, this emerging field is infused with the spirit of capitalism and the desire to provide tangible benefits to customers.
In this century, we will move away from hydrocarbon sources, and do so without sacrificing the basic lifestyle we enjoy. Indeed, maintaining a high quality of life and service is the only way to produce a new, lasting era of technology.
Simply put, billions of people will not accept new energy sources and technologies unless they like the product.
From Tesla roadsters to cheaper lighting, there is a common theme of providing products which are more efficient and as good or better than their more traditional counterparts. (Yes, the new Tesla cars are more expensive than most other cars; so was the first car in relation to a horse. Economies of scale lower costs dramatically.)
Without global warming, we would still see this shift towards greater efficiency. National security, health and climate concerns have hastened its advance.
We need a tipping point - a critical mass of interest and investment to reduce the cost of a hydrocarbon lifestyle and foster an awareness of the true cost of traditional energy sources.
You don't have to agree with the scientific consensus on global warming. Just take a keen interest in keeping America innovative, efficient, healthy and stingy towards dangerous regimes.
Daniel Gibson-Reinember is a fishery and wildlife biology graduate student. His column appears occasionally in the Collegian. Letters and feedback can be sent to letters@collegian.com
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
Boxorox
posted 8/29/07 @ 2:53 AM MST
True.
With national and world populations reach such huge levels now and what we can expect in the future, many of the basic, daily changes which are called for in response to global warming do make sense. (Continued…)
Michael
posted 8/31/07 @ 8:08 AM MST
Dan -- You're making an extremely important point. The move toward greater energy efficiency and cleaner technology is vital to our national security and our health, both of which have a huge impact on our economy. (Continued…)
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posted 11/16/08 @ 2:54 AM MST
If global warming never happened then we would have all lived in a beautiful, quiet and without any stress world. But I think it would have been boring. (Continued…)
Bucky
posted 11/18/08 @ 3:33 PM MST
All those things make sense Daniel, they're just (as usual with this topic) selected points that only tell part of the story. China, India and much of the industrialized world is dwarfing us in carbon emmissions. (Continued…)
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