The New Energy Economy

In a world of uncertainty where terrorism, job outsourcing and. global warming are very real and threaten our way of life, there is a solution. There is one answer so obvious that it is perhaps frightening in its simplicity. This generation of Americans will be measured by posterity along one sole criterion; did we act when the solution presented itself?

If we as Americans are prepared to recapture our destiny and build a better future then this is what we must do. We must free ourselves of our dependence upon foreign oil and we must advance our strategic energy industries of solar, wind, biomass and hydrogen. In short, we must build the new energy economy.

The new energy economy will create millions of jobs at home. Yes, that’s right, millions of jobs. We will need factories and American worker know-how to build the next generation of solar panels and wind turbines. We will require thousands of scientists and engineers to expedite the development of these technologies. We will need hundreds of thousands of trained technicians to build the new American energy infrastructure, to install solar and wind technologies on our buildings and lands, jobs that no amount of globalization can outsource. We will become so competitive in these emerging global industries that we will export our energy products and perhaps even our energy surplus to the other nations of the world.

The new energy economy will free our country to seek alliances and friendship only with countries that share our values. We will no longer be compelled to coddle authoritarian regimes in order to access their oil. As U.S. demand for oil dwindles, those same regimes will no longer have surplus oil revenue to funnel to the very terrorist organizations who fight our soldiers and threaten our nation. The new energy economy will strengthen our national security and make our citizenry more secure.

The new energy economy will stem the tide of destabilizing climate change. As America leads the nations of the world toward responsible stewardship of the planet, we will celebrate our great accomplishment of leaving the world better off than we found it for generations that follow. We will restore species diversity, ensure the survival of vital medicinal plants, and preserve the natural beauty of that has inspired mankind through the ages.

The new energy economy will eradicate extreme poverty. The most destitute parts of the world will finally know what it is to have constant energy. Bringing solar energy to poverty stricken villages will enable water purification, refrigeration and lay the foundation for small enterprise to flourish. Extreme poverty will be wiped from the face of the earth within one generation.

Lastly, once we have achieved all of this, we will have set the stage for mankind to begin its next and perhaps boldest phase of exploration and discovery. With the power to harness abundant, everlasting energy sources, America will once again lead the world into space. This time it will be for keeps. We will experience travel at the speed of light and the stuff of our childhood dreams. It will no longer be fantasy. It will be our destiny.

The new energy economy is not a pipedream. It is our greatest opportunity, maybe even our only opportunity to ensure the American way of life. This is not a time for timid souls. Change is coming whether we want it to or not, and it’s coming fast. Billions of boys and girls from China to India to Russia and across Eastern Europe are surfing the internet, using Google to access the information highway and preparing to enter the global economy. That’s right, billions. Those kids are hungry and they’re ready to compete. The question is, are we?

Let this be the generation that takes up the challenge. Fifty or sixty years from now our grandchildren and great grandchildren will question us like we did our own grandparents and great grandparents. Let that question not be, “Why didn’t you do anything when you had the chance?” Instead, let that question be,“Grandpa, tee time tomorrow is ten o’clock. On Mars. Who’s flying, you or me?”

-- Josh