THE NEW ENERGY MOMENT

Climate Movement at the Crossroads
Teryn Norris, September 7, 2010 (Huffington Post)

"When future scholars document the history of global warming, one of the watershed years will almost surely be 2010…[because] climate advocates [missed] one of the best opportunities to achieve [emissions caps and an international treaty]…

"…[I]t is clear that carbon caps in the U.S. and globally will not happen for the foreseeable future. Meanwhile, the IEA projects global CO2 emissions will skyrocket 40% above 2007 levels by 2030, and the EIA predicts China's emissions will more than double over the next 25 years - which would make its emissions greater than the rest of the world combined…The upcoming lame-duck session in Congress could be one of the last opportunities for national reform before 2013. There are a number of incremental proposals worth pushing…Some still hope for a Hail Mary lame-duck pass on cap and trade, but [Senate Majority Leader Reid recently said it is unlikely]…"

click to enlarge

"But none of these alternative proposals contain…a dedicated revenue stream to fund major federal investment in clean energy research, development, demonstration, deployment, and manufacturing, as well as infrastructure and workforce development. The American Energy Innovation Council, including business titans like Bill Gates and John Doerr, has called for an increase of $11 billion per year in federal clean energy RD&D alone - an idea that could attract serious bipartisan support after mid-term elections. This proposal enjoys broad support from groups like Breakthrough Institute, Brookings Institution, Third Way, ITIF, and many others.

"These investments are critical…If the price gap between dirty and clean energy technology isn't bridged quickly, the world has little chance of avoiding climate destabilization as countries like China and India develop at break-neck speed…[N]ow that [cap and trade is] off the table, we must find an alternative [revenue source such as] reduced fossil fuel subsidies, offshore drilling royalties, an oil import fee, a small fee on fossil fuel electricity…a low carbon tax beginning at $5 per ton…[or] a small fee on financial transactions…to fund the $100 billion international climate assistance package…and could be applied domestically to…support a new growth industry."

Money needed; source irrelevant. (click to enlarge)

"…[T]he possibility of achieving a binding global emissions treaty at the upcoming UN climate negotiations in Cancun is all but gone…[requiring] more emphasis on alternative forums like the Clean Energy Ministerial and Major Economies Forum on Energy & Climate…[T]he world's technology policy leaders can break the logjam by identifying specific technical hurdles, creating coordinated technology roadmaps, and mobilizing the resources for rapid implementation.

"Beyond the immediate future, climate and clean energy advocates should take the opportunity to fundamentally rethink [strategy]… [Abandon] major federal reform, or develop a stronger approach? …[C]ontinue focusing on carbon caps, or…[pursue] technological innovation to make clean energy cheaper? These are just some of the questions that will define the next agenda - and our energy and climate future."