This is the first in a series of specific proposals for a sustainable energy policy for America. It will provide jobs all across our great land. It will reduce and eliminate our dependence on foreign oil. It will make our nation’s energy supply more reliable and very resistant to attack by terrorists. It will reduce energy costs for most citizens. It will be a springboard for a resurgence of American innovation. Oh, and by the way, it will reduce carbon emissions.
But first I will address the elephant in the room. What about the climate change debate? Is it real or a Chinese hoax? Is it a natural cycle or is it man made? Is it an existential threat or is it going to make Chicago a wonderful place to visit in the winter because of the cool breezes from Lake Michigan?
For too long the energy companies and climate deniers have been focusing our nation on this debate because keeping this debate alive serves their needs and their profit agenda.
Take the Koch brothers, the guys who grow forests of trees and own oil pipelines and cattle ranches. They have publically stated that carbon dioxide is creating climate change. Yet they are spending millions supporting organizations to reinforce the message of climate change denial. Why would they do that?
These guys are smart. They know that climate change will disrupt many of their businesses. So by creating confusion and distraction around the issue, they can position their companies to take advantage of the disruptions climate change will cause. They know they can profit from it if they plan and invest well.
Likewise, all the oil companies believe that climate change is real and are positioning their operations planning for the likely changes. Virtually all the large multinational businesses and giant insurance companies are already factoring climate change into their long range business plans.
As with all disruptive events, those that see the coming disruption and plan for the changes will profit while those that are made to believe that things will continue as they are will lose everything.
So I think this is why there is so much money being spent to convince the public that climate change is not real. This is simply because there is much money to be made by keeping the public confused and debating while the corporations set the national agenda.
Yes, I believe that climate change is real and that it is a direct result of human activity. In 200 years we have released more carbon into our atmosphere than it took God and the dinosaurs 200 million years to place into the earth for us to use. To think that this will not affect our climate is naïve at best. And there is even less talk of methane and other gases also being released into our atmosphere that may have an even greater effect on the climate.
So I am sidestepping the climate debate because I believe implementing a sustainable energy policy for our country will result in all of the changes I outlined in the first paragraph. If we can focus our citizens on the benefits of a sustainable energy policy maybe we can move away from the climate change debate and get on with Making America Even Greater.
Of course, the large centralized oil, electricity suppliers and natural gas companies do not want most Americans moving away from their dependence on centralized and corporate controlled energy. So get ready to start telling your legislators and friends about a new energy movement in America.
Roger That! 