More Profit With Less Carbon

Summary of Selection 15

Using energy more efficiently will reduce costs for everyone. Many businesses have already proven this fact. There does not necessarily have to be a trade off between the environment and the economy. Decarbonization can mean an increase in efficiency.

There is much inefficiency at all levels of energy production, distribution and consumption that can be changed! There are many more energy efficient products that are now inexpensive and commonplace. For example, there are amazing technologies that can allow you to do without a conventional heating system at all (in -40C weather!). Smart construction design can allow for huge energy savings- they can structure a whole building to cool or heat which will only use a fraction of the energy. Energy efficiency does not mean curtailment, discomfort or privation!

Transportation consumes 70% of US oil and makes 1/3 total carbon emissions. They are very inefficient, but lightweight materials, propulsion and aerodynamics can help to make huge improvements. Rocky Mountain Institute's (RMI) analysis shows that full adoption of efficient vehicles, buildings, and industries could cut US oil use to half by 2025! (to pre 1970 levels) That is $70 billion saved every year! There are alternate fuel supplies available/being developed, such as ethanol and carbon natural gas. There are many other benefits too; reduced military conflict, reduced price volatility, reduced fiscal and diplomatic distortions and reduced pollution. We would also need to change our development patterns to reduce urban sprawl. If all ammenities were within a 5 minute walk we would not need our cars much at all.

Global warming is cheaper to fix than ignore. The competitive global economy actually promotes sensible energy investment; the market will naturally favor the right choices!