COMMENT In 2005, the two of us joined together on a quest for what we called “the courage to develop clean energy” in America. More than three years later, we have seen courage demonstrated in abundance – by scientists, entrepreneurs, elected officials, businesses and citizens. Clean technology has rapidly matured to the point where we see a stronger and more secure domestic energy future taking shape.
Now a big question remains: will the US step towards this future? At the centre of an economic storm, is America willing to make the massive clean energy investments and tough policies needed to catapult the nation again to the vanguard of innovation, competitiveness, security and true energy freedom? In today’s difficult economy, it would be easy to say no. Halting investment in clean energy technology would placate climate change curmudgeons – but it would also allow other nations to lead the next technology revolution that will shift the global balance of energy and security for decades to come. It would be short-sighted, too, because bold investments in clean energy have transformed drawing-board dreams into great businesses that align naturally with, and inform, great policy.
