People Who Favor the Migration to Renewable Energy Have Big Hearts–But Sometimes Impractical Ideas

I’m in close communication with the World Business Academy, a Santa Barbara, CA-based non-profit dedicated to the migration to 100% renewable energy.  I urge readers to check out their website and form their own opinions.

They often ask me to attend their conferences, but I decline, as I explained in what I just wrote below to its executive director in response to his most recent invitation.

Here’s my problem with your approach.  I’ve articulated this to your people in the past; in fact, I introduced Rinaldo Brutaco (WBA CEO, pictured) at a talk he gave last year.  I really don’t want to get into a spat on the subject, but you should know the following:

• You’re correct in your assessment of the problem.  In fact, anthropogenic climate change is one of dozens of catastrophic results of fossil fuel consumption, and arguably it’s the most pernicious.

• Your point that a migration to renewable resources will build jobs and strengthen the economy is also correct.  The fossil fuel boys like to spread propaganda to the contrary, but they’re clearly wrong, as anyone knows who follows the major economists (or even his own common sense).

• In fact, there are numerous other non-environmental/health benefits to renewables as well, e.g., national security, disempowering terrorism, etc.

• The goal of 100% renewables, while pleasing to the ear (and heart), is not really necessary to achieve a sustainable approach to energy.

• Your dismissal of nuclear, especially 4^th generation “advanced” nuclear, is misguided, especially given the magnitude of the challenge on a global scale.  You’re not alone in harboring this pet-peeve, but it’s not based on a fair analysis of the data.

• Your overall idea (microgrids built on renewable resources with hydrogen storage) is not physically impossible, but it will be fantastically expensive to achieve.

• You quote Amory Lovins, but his path to a sustainable energy future and yours are not at all closely aligned.

• I’m not a believer in hydrogen for reasons I provide in my first book (Renewable Energy—Facts and Fantasies).

• The most recent of my four books on this subject (Bullish on Renewable Energy) provides what I see as the answer.  And here’s something that you and I, and all people of conscience should like: this whole thing is happening far faster than most of us people realize.

If you wish to speak about this further, that’s fine, but I’ll ask that you first become conversant with the points I make above.