The alternatives to dirty energy sources will be a mix of responsible choices that:

• generate electricity: like solar and wind power
• power our transportation: like more fuel efficient cars, and car-alternatives
• cleaner consumption habits

Credit: Kartik Shinde, UNEP

Alternatives are available

The final mix of cleaner alternatives is not anywhere near settled. But it seems certain that there are solutions that will responsibly meet our energy needs.

For example, the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research has proposed a blueprint of renewable energy sources and responsible energy policy -- e.g. removing dirty fuel subsidies -- that they claim would wean the U.S. economy entirely from dirty fuels by 2050.

Alternatives are economically necessary

If we do not pursue cleaner alternatives, we will pay a price. Twice. According to a 2007 report by internationally-renowned energy economist Roger Bezdek:

"By the year 2030, the renewable energy and energy efficiency industries could generate up to $4.5 trillion in revenue in the U.S., but only with the appropriate public policy, including a renewable portfolio standard, renewable energy incentives, public education, and R&D."

"If we fail to invest in Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RE&EE), the United States runs the risk of losing ground to international RE&EE programs and industries. If we refuse to address policy and regulatory barriers to the sustained, orderly development of the RE&EE industry, other countries will take the lead and reap the economic and environmental benefits. For the United States to be competitive in a carbon-constrained world, the RE&EE industry will be a critical economic driver."

For More Information

• NDE: Solar Power

• NDE: Wind Power

• NDE: Fuel Efficiency

• NDE: Mass Transit

• NDE: Cleaner Consumption

• IEER: Carbon-free and nuclear-free -- a roadmap for U.S. energy policy

• American Solar Energy Society: Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency: economic drivers for the 21st century (pdf)