Jerry, you write
1.) that they (the oil companies) “are in the business of profitably producing oil needed by millions to live.” You (I assume) would also include coal and natural gas* in the same category. And, you are correct their efforts provide energy in a variety of forms and has been/is/and will be a very important aspect of al…
1.) that they (the oil companies) “are in the business of profitably producing oil needed by millions to live.” You (I assume) would also include coal and natural gas* in the same category. And, you are correct their efforts provide energy in a variety of forms and has been/is/and will be a very important aspect of all of our lives.
(* atomic energy should be considered in a separate category.)
2.) You also write that they are “not in the business of adopting technologies that are still unprofitable without subsidies.” Are you saying that IF those technologies (the Green ones) were profitable the Fossils would adopt those technologies? (Please note that United States is estimated to provide a total of $20 billion in fossil fuel subsidies every year. Approximately 70 percent of these subsidies come from the federal government, and another 30 percent come from the state government.)
3.) If the Fossils and the Greens could BOTH be profitable (including with government subsidies). Would any of the “shareholders … revolt”? (Please note: According to Congressional Budget Office testimony in 2016, an estimated $10.9 billion in tax preferences was directed toward renewable energy, $4.6 billion went to fossil fuels, and $2.7 billion went to energy efficiency or electricity transmission.)
4.) You write: “The sheer scale of the need for energy is beyond what renewable sources can provide today. or even in the next 10 years.” Correct, Jerry. This is a very long term project. BUT, it is (as you say) also INEVITABLE.
5.) “If you think they don't care and aren't worrying about the inevitable transition, then you're blinded by emotional name-calling.” The FOSSILS should quit “worrying” about the transition and get going on helping to provide a solution. It appears to me that both the FOSSILS and the GREENS are in a winner-take-all stance. So are our politicians. We, the People need to push the corporations and the politicians into a better mindset. Everyone CAN be winners in this matter. EXXON (not to just pick on them) can find itself in the position of being a leading producer of energy - past, present, and future. And government can lead the way, using the traditional “carrots and sticks.” We, the People need to demand more of corporations and government in this matter. Remember that those subsidies are OUR money.
6.) Jerry, you ask “Lazy?” I agree, none of the “players” are probably lazy. Unmotivated, uninformed, uncourageous, unambitious, unaccountable, uneducated, uncommitted, un-American? (Sorry, I couldn’t UN-plug myself….)
Jerry, you write
1.) that they (the oil companies) “are in the business of profitably producing oil needed by millions to live.” You (I assume) would also include coal and natural gas* in the same category. And, you are correct their efforts provide energy in a variety of forms and has been/is/and will be a very important aspect of all of our lives.
(* atomic energy should be considered in a separate category.)
2.) You also write that they are “not in the business of adopting technologies that are still unprofitable without subsidies.” Are you saying that IF those technologies (the Green ones) were profitable the Fossils would adopt those technologies? (Please note that United States is estimated to provide a total of $20 billion in fossil fuel subsidies every year. Approximately 70 percent of these subsidies come from the federal government, and another 30 percent come from the state government.)
3.) If the Fossils and the Greens could BOTH be profitable (including with government subsidies). Would any of the “shareholders … revolt”? (Please note: According to Congressional Budget Office testimony in 2016, an estimated $10.9 billion in tax preferences was directed toward renewable energy, $4.6 billion went to fossil fuels, and $2.7 billion went to energy efficiency or electricity transmission.)
4.) You write: “The sheer scale of the need for energy is beyond what renewable sources can provide today. or even in the next 10 years.” Correct, Jerry. This is a very long term project. BUT, it is (as you say) also INEVITABLE.
5.) “If you think they don't care and aren't worrying about the inevitable transition, then you're blinded by emotional name-calling.” The FOSSILS should quit “worrying” about the transition and get going on helping to provide a solution. It appears to me that both the FOSSILS and the GREENS are in a winner-take-all stance. So are our politicians. We, the People need to push the corporations and the politicians into a better mindset. Everyone CAN be winners in this matter. EXXON (not to just pick on them) can find itself in the position of being a leading producer of energy - past, present, and future. And government can lead the way, using the traditional “carrots and sticks.” We, the People need to demand more of corporations and government in this matter. Remember that those subsidies are OUR money.
6.) Jerry, you ask “Lazy?” I agree, none of the “players” are probably lazy. Unmotivated, uninformed, uncourageous, unambitious, unaccountable, uneducated, uncommitted, un-American? (Sorry, I couldn’t UN-plug myself….)
Long but very well written.
Oh, my…too many words on an extremely important matter to the entire planet. Sorry to inconvenience you, Mike S.