On July 18, amid the crisis of increasing oil prices, Al Gore called upon the U.S. to eliminate the use of fossil fuels for electric energy production in the next ten years. He said that the U.S. should rely on renewable energy sources by 2018 otherwise there would be grave threats to the planet and national security.
Gore’s ambitious goal sets a challenging but achievable goal for the U.S. and is a call for serious and creative responses to eliminating the use of fossil fuels. Gore’s statements are a breath of fresh air amongst other politicians, both U.S. and international, who are only talking about partial reductions of CO2 by 2030 or even 2050. The timetable for responding to climate change and preventing the worst impacts is short. Therefore, a goal like Gore’s is essential to transitioning to a post-carbon and post-fossil fuel world.
Humans have the ingenuity and creativity to solve the problems we have created while natural systems provide the potential for renewable energy sources. Energy from the sun and wind is a huge reserve of energy that is largely untapped. Using current technology and developing better technology the U.S. could rely on non-fossil fuel energy sources.
Gore’s mention of a cap and trade plan, while possibly a positive step, is not a sufficient solution. This type of policy would allow the wealthy to continue their carbon dioxide emissions and depend on market forces to solve a problem created by the market. The regulation and reduction of other harmful chemicals, like CFCs, relied on restrictions rather than credit trading.
Abandoning fossil fuels requires immense policy initiatives and changes from the government and the economy. Solar and wind energy need to be able to compete with fossil fuels which will require government spending, subsidies and taxes. This transition will not just magically occur, particularly given the entrenched interests of companies and governments in the use of fossil fuels like oil and coal. The government will have to have economic policy to help direct this transition and support the renewable energy industry.
In the end politicians will not do this unless there is demand from the ground up. Grassroots movements can build to demand the end of fossil fuel use which will put pressure on politicians to enact serious legislation. People can also seek and experiment with alternatives at the local and community level. Communities can begin developing solar and wind power that often takes less capital than large coal electric plants. Direct experiences with fuel and energy will help people to start rethinking where energy comes from and how it is used.
Tax and subsidy plans alone will not end dependence on fossil fuels, must be combined with social and political change. Construction, transportation and agriculture are all huge sources of carbon emissions and will not become carbon neutral just with a cap and trade program. For example, the transportation system, which is linked with development patterns, needs to be seriously overhauled to become less fossil fuel intensive. This includes funding for better public transportation, building bike lanes and restricting sprawling development.
Gore’s message gives a positive direction but how this change is made will have large impacts on our society. Transitions to renewable energy can facilitate democracy and economic prosperity or could result in massive nuclear plants run by the same large companies. Let’s take Gore’s call and make it demand of the people for a better future in which the U.S. does not rely on fossil fuels which are destroying our planet and begin to make fundamental change to our energy system.
Washington Post Article- Gore Wants U.S. To Abandon Fossil Fuels by 2018
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