You know I've said for years the biggest challenge facing Americans today is the energy "squeeze". Please notice that I did not use the word "crisis", nor did I use the word "shortage" or any other euphemism for FUD (fear, uncertainty and doubt). Unlike the mainstream media, that's not my gig.
Alternative energy HAS fascinated me for years though. Another disclaimer, I am not an engineer nor do I claim to be, but that actually might be a good thing. See I'm not limited by an engineers view on things and I tend to dream big.
For example, there's a great little company out there called "Ausra". If you check out the link on their front page they claim that all of the electrical energy needs of the country could be provided by a 92 x 92 mile square patch of desert populated by their solar power energy solution. WOW. Now I'm also not one to jump the gun of what (obviously) is a nice piece of Internet marketing, but even if something close to this is true the implication are mind boggling.
Think of this on a state by state basis. Take Georgia for example (my home state) and let's say that Georgia only needs 2-7% of that capacity. Take a 13 x 13 mile square (or several squares scattered around the state equivalent to that area), augment with the several hydroelectric facilities and nuclear facilities in the state and viola! All the power we need. Add more capabilities for electric cars (and make electric vehicles more economical for the average consumer) and we could make a significant dent in our dependency on foreign oil.
What?
What did he just say?
Reduce dramatically our dependency on foreign oil? Now, that my friends would have a significant impact on EVERYTHING.
Let's see, first of all the United States could scale back their support of oppressive regimes.
What? The United States does not "support" oppressive regimes, we sanction and/or invade them and spread FREEDOM throughout the world! Right?
Not so fast my friend.
Parade Magazine each year publishes a list of "The World's Worst Dictators". It's actually one of the few articles they publish that I read from beginning to end each year. So, who's on the list? (I mean c'mon Bryan like I have enough time/energy to click on the link you've provided above) Well, coming in at #4 is one of our only "friends" in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia. Ranked as one of the worst country's in the treatment of women. For example, did you know that a woman must attain approval from a male member of her family before asking for/obtaining healthcare? Household accident? Trip down some stairs, cut yourself with some scissors? Gotta wait until a male member of the household get home before calling 911 or going to the emergency room... (This is 2008, right?)
Coming in at #5, got most favored trading status again last year and the maker of most items in your household, China! Home of this year's Olympics! Free speech? Yeah, right. The world does not care. Just fill up all of the Wal Marts and Targets with cheap goods and we'll look the other way on the work camps, torture and general oppression.
And lastly, but not least coming in at #8 our best "friend" in the "war on terror" President Musharraf and Pakistan. Man, talk about letting the fox guard the henhouse.
Back on topic...
Secondly, Americans would no longer need to burn fuels for energy thus significantly cutting down on air pollution. Granted we would still need to use petroleum for much industrialized production and for things like air travel, but taking the internal combustion engine off America's roadways would be a truly great thing. (Now, if I could only afford a Tesla car...)
Also, we would not be limited in any way shape or form by boats crossing oceans filled with hazardous material. Talk about an endless potential for growth!
If Americans can, in fact, take on the challenge and revamp our energy needs and break our dependency on foreign oil we could potentially change the geopolitical map worldwide. We would no longer be wary of challenging democratic reform in Saudi Arabia. We could actually be "tough" and probably win the war on terror. We could preserve areas in Alaska that the current administration has earmarked for drilling.
It is embarrassing to be a human being in the 21st century living in the industrialized world and to think that my energy needs are dependent upon burning black stuff that comes from the ground. There's got to be a better way and we owe it to ourselves and future generations to do the "hard work" now and find it.
Next up, my ideas on potential limitless forms of energy (NOT just solar).
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