Is Al Gore's 10-Year Plan Phantasmagorical? II

[Bob T]

* IS AL GORE’S 10-YEAR PLAN PHANTASMAGORICAL? II

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Dear Thirsters:

Here are the first five essays on this thread.

BY DAVE BISHOP, Environmentalist, Agricultural Developmentist, with field experience in Africa:

Hello Bob,

Always look forward to your comments and other Thirsters’. Very little news reaches out here to Fossil [Oregon]. In regard to Al Gore's recent message to the nation, I see it as possible if we would accept the facts known to all of us now as to Peak Oil Production, rapidly growing demand and the competition that drives prices constantly upward. To do what the last real VP. is asking us to do is to gather our scientists and our other citizens to make war on crude oil consumption in the same manner and to the degree we went after the Japanese, Italians and Germans in WW II. You will remember that our Army in 1939 used stove pipes for mortars and infantrymen trained with broom sticks. Again thanks for keeping me in the loop and my best regards to you and all gathering at McMenamins. Dave B.
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BY MAILEEN HAMTO, writer, editor, and entrepreneur, originally from the Philippines:

Al Gore’s challenge to Americans is worthy of discussion. There’s so much more than national will and resolve to make progressive policies a reality in this country, in this day and age. The United States (and the rest of the world) is at the stranglehold of corporate and commercial interests.

Perhaps this is a naïve/ cynical view of how the world works, but I think it was much easier for America to direct its (manifest) destiny and the course of the world back when ordinary citizens actually had a say in this democracy. The United States is beholden to its corporate backers, and methinks those uber-powerful, moneyed few aren’t motivated by changing the status quo. The rich and powerful don’t like sharing power. Any kind of change is a threat to consolidation of power.

Herbert’s examples of America’s “can-do” attitude lump together decisions made by the powers-that-be to engage huge amounts of national resources to global military conflict, and local people-driven, grassroots efforts to arm-twist America to a) enforce its laws and b) grow a conscience (i.e. the civil rights and women’s movement).

Al Gore’s vision may require both approaches. For the people in charge to pay attention, it will require millions of Americans taking to the streets, advocating and demanding diverting resources from America’s military entanglements in the Middle East (and elsewhere, for the so-called global war on terror) to harnessing cleaner fuels.

But even that seems too easy.
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BY JOEL HAUGEN, environmentalist, educator, and current Republican nominee for Congress from the First District of Oregon:

Bob,

When folks like T Boone Pickens even agree that a 10-year domestic energy initiative is possible, my opinion is HELL YES! Among the variety of clean energy technologies that we currently have and those that will evolve from an appropriately stimulated national initiative, I see no responsible rationale for not launching such a change in our energy policy.

Regards, Joel
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BY DON MESSERSCHMIDT, anthropologist, writer, developmentist, and Returned Peace Corps Volunteer from Nepal:

Al Gore's challenge (like JFK's re: going to the moon) is the sort of thing that, if we take it up as a global society, will not only be a defining moment politically and environmentally, but also culturally. Just as the industrial revolution revolutionized world culture not long ago..., this change in our approach to energy utilization (I almost wrote 'energy creation', but we aren't creating anything, we are merely figuring out new ways of capturing it) will, in itself, herald an equally monumental change in world culture, in ways that we are beginning to imagine. There will certainly be some surprises coming... It will be as revolutionary, I'd say, as the Information Technology Revolution has been during the past few decades. Perhaps more so. It may even save planet earth and earthlings from self-inflicted destruction.

The technology is there, despite little encouragement from 'on high'. The tragedy is that the Current Resident and his minions have not had the vision nor the drive to do anything about it. The heroism is on Al Gore's part, and now I hear Obama (and to some degree, McCain) saying much the same -- that it is time to put what we know about clean and sustainable energy conservation and utilization to work for humankind. The industrialists and big business have the opportunity to enhance our economy in clean ways (and put our oily and polluted pocket-books aside)...

Fasten your seat belt! We are in for an interesting ride.
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BY RUTH LOVE, sociologist, former researcher at Bonneville:

Dear Thirster Organizer--

Gore's vision of basing all our electrical needs on solar and other renewable energy sources is quite realistic according to the July 18th SCIENCE FRIDAY broadcast on NPR. The point was emphasized that the technology exists but the political will to get going on matters like building transmission lines from solar installations to where it will be used (sub-stations?) is lacking. Another point made was that Berlin, a city which has less solar resources than Cleveland, Ohio, is making much more use of solar technology than cities in the USA.

At Bonneville, in the conservation department, (mandated by the Pacific Northwest Power Act of 1979), the water fountain discussion often centered around the huge amount of electricity foregone through line loss on antiquated transmission lines. There's much that could be done if Congress and state legislatures were to give Freddy Kilowatts around the country a good swift COORDINATED kick. I've pasted below some information about the Science Friday broadcast.

Happy Thirst Quenching Ruth

Solar Energy Roundup (broadcast Friday, July 18th, 2008)

Abengoa Solar is currently operating the 11-megawatt PS10 solar power tower plant in the background of this photo and is building the 20-megawatt PS20 solar plant in the foreground. Credit: Abengoa Solar. [Photo was here.]

Energy prices remain high, with a barrel of crude oil selling for well over $130. But thousands of megawatts of solar generated power might not see the light of day if Congress doesn't act soon. This hour, Ira and guests look at the battle over the renewable investment tax credit, and why solar industry execs are biting their nails over the legislative snarl.

Then, tired of waiting for Congress to act? We'll look at how you can bring solar to your sockets faster, without taking out a second mortgage. From the latest in panels and photovoltaics, to how you can pay for it all, we'll find out what you can do to add solar power to your world. Teachers, find more information about using Science Friday as a classroom resource in the Kids' Connection.

Guests

Rhone Resch
President
Solar Energy Industries Association
Washington, DC

Frederick Morse
Senior Advisor, U.S. Operations
Abengoa Solar
Washington, DC

Brad Collins
Executive Director, American Solar Energy Society
Publisher, Solar Today
Boulder, Colorado

Related Links

Findsolar.com

NREL: Solar Energy Basics

Solar Radiation Resource Maps

REPP: Solar

Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency

Segment produced by: Annette Heist