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Get rich quick- go Green, it’s the new gold-rush!
Being green is about getting ahead of the game, being inspired by the fantastic new possibilities out there, embracing change and surfing the wave rather than being swamped by it. With all the bad news about the environment it can all get a bit negative and depressing, with far too many people telling us what, and what not, to do.
Radical change
One thing is for sure is that things have to change radically. And it’s very likely that those who get ahead of the game stand to make massive gains. Conversely, those resistant to change, who stick their heads in the sand and drag their heavy feet, are just going to lose out.
Ambitious renewables target
That in any language is one hell of a lot of cash.
As energy prices climb even higher and there are predications from within the oil industry that run away demand will push prices up to $150 a barrel by 2010 – a 50% increase on today’s already sky high prices - the reward for efficient users will grow. These terrifying price hikes are going to heavily reward those who have already invested in energy efficiency.
Nuclear power isn't the answer
There has been a lot of talk about nuclear power recently, as possibly the only stop gap to help us replace oil and find a low emission energy source. Now nuclear always gets people going and, of course, it always been the bête noir of the green movement, not least because of the dangers involved in disposing of all the waste. However, what is being overlooked is that at best nuclear is only a transition technology, it’s not THE answer. It’s only going to help bridge the gap from the oil dependent to the post-oil world.
The vital ingredient for a nuclear power reaction is uranium which is rare. There is not that much in the world in sufficient density to be of much use to the energy industry and none of it is in the UK. A book I read recently suggests there is only enough globally for about 70 years at current consumption rates. So if Europe, US and China all start expanding their nuclear energy industries then we will be fighting over the remaining uranium stocks before a few short decades have passed. So even if we do go nuclear it’s not going to last very long. And we should be using the energy it generates to build wind turbines and solar cells, things that really are renewable. Nuclear is not going to be able to power the continuation of our profligate lifestyles.
Nuclear power isn't the answer
Nuclear Power
There has been a lot of talk about nuclear power recently, as possibly the only stop gap to help us replace oil and find a low emission energy source. Now nuclear always gets people going and, of course, it always been the bête noir of the green movement, not least because of the dangers involved in disposing of all the waste. However, what is being overlooked is that at best nuclear is only a transition technology, it’s not THE answer. It’s only going to help bridge the gap from the oil dependent to the post-oil world.
The vital ingredient for a nuclear power reaction is uranium which is rare. There is not that much in the world in sufficient density to be of much use to the energy industry and none of it is in the UK. A book I read recently suggests there is only enough globally for about 70 years at current consumption rates. So if Europe, US and China all start expanding their nuclear energy industries then we will be fighting over the remaining uranium stocks before a few short decades have passed. So even if we do go nuclear it’s not going to last very long. And we should be using the energy it generates to build wind turbines and solar cells, things that really are renewable. Nuclear is not going to be able to power the continuation of our profligate lifestyles.
The thing about renewables is that although they may go on forever and be relatively pollution free, they only give you a fraction of the energy we are used to consuming. To most Greens the only way to crack this nut is to adapt our lifestyles to be massively more efficient. Reducing demand by about 90% really does seem to be the only answer. That will call for innovation, new ideas and people with vision and courage to follow it through. But with so much at stake this could be seen as the new frontier; this is the gold rush of the new Millennia. Whoever gets into that territory first stands to save themselves a lot of money and put themselves in a position where everyone else will want to be; surely that position is every entrepreneur’s dream.
