I spend a lot of time thinking about how we can better our planet, and recently, I have been seeing some talk about energy and a major shift in how we view our energy future. To fix our current energy problem, we often revolve around the need to reduce energy consumption, to live more frugally, and to brace ourselves for a less comfortable future. Spoiler alert: It’s not about using less energy but about generating more – and making it all clean. Let me take you through my thought process and why this change in perspective is crucial for a sustainable and prosperous future.
The Traditional Energy Narrative
Growing up, the message was clear: to combat climate change, we needed to cut back on our energy use. The narrative was built around conservation. We were constantly reminded to switch off lights, use less water, and drive less. It painted a picture of a future where our lives would become smaller and less comfortable, all in a desperate attempt to stave off disaster.
I remember seeing headlines like, “This planet is threatened with destruction” and “Half of humanity is living in the danger zone NOW.” The urgency was clear, and so was the prescription: use less, conserve more. This mindset was reinforced everywhere, from school lessons to public service announcements. “Be mindful and conserve as much as possible,” they’d say. And it made sense – we were in an energy crisis, and cutting back seemed like the only way out.
A New Way of Thinking
But then, something shifted in my understanding. I began to see that this narrative, while well-intentioned, might be fundamentally flawed. The goal isn’t to use less energy or just replace fossil fuels with something slightly better. The real goal is vastly more energy, but it needs to be clean energy. This epiphany came after reading a piece by Matt Yglesias, a former colleague and brilliant thinker. He argued that our current approach to energy is akin to being on a perpetual diet, and we need to end this “energy diet” mentality.
The Fossil Fuel Trap
For most of my life, energy equaled fossil fuels. Fossil fuels equaled energy. Fossil fuels were bad. Therefore, energy was bad. This was a trap that seemed inescapable. Conservation felt like the only real option to slow climate change because the technologies to replace fossil fuels just weren’t there.
Living in New York City, a place full of hustle and bustle but not much nature, the contrast was stark. I often escape to Central Park, a little green haven amidst the concrete. It’s in these moments of tranquility that I pondered our energy conundrum. The message from scientists and policymakers was always about “the stick” – the dire consequences if we didn’t cut back on energy use. We needed to use less energy to avoid terrible things happening.
The Shift to Clean Energy
But then Matt Yglesias’ perspective hit me like a ton of bricks. He said, “Conservation isn’t good enough environmentally. We actually need zero-carbon sources of energy. If you can have a net-zero economy, there’s no more need to conserve.” This was revolutionary for me. Instead of thinking about how to reduce our energy use, we should focus on how to produce more clean energy.
Why Clean Energy Matters
In his piece, Yglesias describes our current approach as an “energy diet.” Instead of continuing this restrictive approach, we should aim to increase our clean energy ambitions massively. This isn’t about using more fossil fuels but harnessing the potential of clean energy technologies. The vision is to unlock a future where energy abundance can power a better quality of life for everyone, without the harmful emissions.
A Global Perspective
This isn’t just a theoretical exercise. It’s a practical necessity, especially when considering global inequalities. Richer countries have historically used fossil fuels to achieve high living standards. Now, they’re telling poorer countries they can’t follow the same path due to climate change. This approach is not only unfair but also unrealistic.
Countries like Vietnam, Ethiopia, or Nicaragua need more energy to improve their citizens’ quality of life. Telling them to conserve isn’t viable. They need clean energy to develop and thrive. The sooner we can provide zero-carbon energy sources, the sooner we can resolve this global inequality. This is why the fight for clean energy is one of the most significant battles on the global stage.
Imagining a Future with Abundant Clean Energy
Imagine a world where we can efficiently capture carbon dioxide, produce food locally with vertical farms, and convert saltwater into drinkable water – all powered by abundant clean energy. These technologies exist but aren’t commercially viable due to high energy costs. Clean energy can change that.
As I listened to Matt describe this vision, I began to imagine. Honestly, it felt invigorating. I felt more motivated to work towards this future. For a moment, I let myself dream about what could go right instead of fearing what might go wrong.
The Carrot of Clean Energy
I realized that the story isn’t just about avoiding disaster; it’s about the incredible opportunities clean energy presents. We need to focus on “the carrot” – the benefits and improvements that clean energy can bring to our lives. It’s about envisioning a future where clean energy powers astonishing technologies that improve our quality of life without harming the planet.
This shift in thinking is essential. It’s about ambition and the sheer audacity required to get where we need to go. Human history is a story of finding ways to use a little more energy to make life a little bit better. And it’s on us to keep doing that, responsibly.
Energy Abundance Over Conservation
In conclusion, the goal isn’t to use less energy but to generate more – and make it all clean. This perspective shift is crucial for a sustainable and prosperous future. We need to move beyond the narrative of conservation and embrace the potential of abundant clean energy. It’s not about less; it’s about more, and it’s about making that “more” clean and sustainable.
Let’s embrace this vision together. Let’s aim high and work towards a future where energy abundance powers our world sustainably. Thank you for reading, and stay optimistic about the future of energy. Together, we can make this vision a reality.
