Renewable Energy is Sexy?

I had the honor, at last Monday’s 38th LD Meeting in Everett, to sit on a panel with Rich Feldman, Washington Coordinator for the Apollo Alliance, and Maryn Wynne, co-founder of the Shoreline Solar Project. The topic, of course, was renewable energy. I expressed at the time, and emphatically repeat now, my highest regard and utmost respect for both individuals and what they represent in the renewable energy field. But I would understand if Mr. Feldman thought I sounded just a little snarky in saying so.

You see, I kept bringing up issues that Mr. Feldman, and pretty much the entirety of officialdom, would prefer never to have to face head-on. But believe me, my respect and admiration for the Apollo Alliance is real, just as is my respect and admiration for the good folks at Washingtonians for Energy Security. The work these two organizations are doing is important, even essential. I so strongly support their efforts that I am scheduled to spend two hours tomorrow gathering signatures for I-937, and I urge you all to contact them at www.yeson937.org and volunteer to do the same, even if only in your immediate neighborhood or at work. But the truth is, they are only working the sexy side of the issue.

(By the way, just in case anyone thinks Rich Feldman is only about the Apollo Alliance, check out this little bio: http://www9.seattle.gov/climate/bios.htm. The man’s got some serious credibility! And, since I am already parenthetical, allow me to apologize, Mr. Feldman, for any discomfort I may have caused you with my comments. I meant no harm and, for what it may be worth, I promise never to call you Rick again.)

Now, let me try to explain my “sexy side of the issue” comment if I can. But be warned! It is not a simple issue, and I doubt if I can pull off a simple explanation.

For openers let me say that, unlike certain editorial boards that endorse candidates on the basis of “pragmatic, short-term questions,” I try to take the long view. In so doing, I believe the basic issue is one of securing the long-term sustainability of life (especially, but by no means exclusively, human life) on planet earth. The success of this effort depends upon a three-part equation which, in the broadest possible terms, consists of: 1) available resources, both renewable and non-renewable, with energy being only one of many; 2) total population and; 3) per-capita consumption of said resources. (You may wonder where global warming and other degradations of the environment fit in here? I put them under #1)

Taken in reverse order, we begin with consumption. All who consider the matter responsibly will agree that, at least in the “developed” countries (some might say “over-developed”) we consume too much of nearly everything. Now, take a moment and envision the ad campaign you might design to reverse this problem. Did you anticipate the possibility of a firestorm of opposition to the idea? Okay, then. Not the sexy side of the issue, agreed?

Now let’s take up the population part of the equation. It seems I have been hearing about over-population all my life. A quick glance at wikipedia shows me that, sure enough, global population has grown from something like 2.5 billion at my birth 56 years ago to around 6.4 billion today. Does that sound sustainable to you? Now, brainstorm a couple of ideas for reversing this situation. It doesn’t take more than a second to see why we aren’t talking about this one in any meaningful way. But, sexy or not, we will have to address it one way or another, somewhere down the line.

Which brings us to resources. This issue is more easily quantified. We can name them, categorize them and strategize around them. In the realm of energy, we can see how money might be made from the development of certain kinds of renewable alternatives to the non-renewable sources like crude oil and natural gas. People can get enthused about them, especially if their development will allow us to continue having babies and consuming mass quantities. Nearly everyone is willing to discuss one aspect or another of this issue. But don’t kid yourself. It’s a very complex matter. Tendrils of one issue become tightly entwined with those of several others. It’s a bloomin’ tapestry, folks.

So here we are, talking about renewable energy. And it is certainly an important issue, worthy of careful consideration. Indeed, I not only support the Apollo Alliance and the Shoreline Solar Project in their efforts, I am working with some friends here locally to elevate the discussion in our own locality.

Democracy for Snohomish County, a progressive political action committee, has scheduled a Renewable Energy Symposium and Expo for August 18 & 19, 2006. Julian Darley, Founder and Director of the Post Carbon Institute (www.postcarbon.org) has agreed to deliver the keynote address at our opening session. Put the dates in your calendar and keep your ear to the ground. More info should be available very soon.

But don’t be surprised to hear me (and others) raise some of these less sexy issues from time to time. If we don’t deal with them ourselves, in an intelligent and responsible fashion, I fear ecological constraints or governmental policies will deal with them for us. And I don’t think either of the latter two options will be pretty.