Earth is a unique eco-system in our solar system. It is the only place in the solar system which can sustain intelligent life as we know it. Outside of a multitude of ills threatening our existence, like economic depressions, meaningless internecine wars, global pandemics, very bad weather patterns, bad government styles and a myriad of others, one that stands out and is consistently in the news is the threat of extinction due to damage to earth's protective ozone layer caused primarily, according to the experts by the fossil fuel we love to burn in very large quantities for a variety of uses.
So, the question arises as to what a responsible person will do if faced with alternate choices, in the event that something they love to eat is causing excessive damage to their personal health. I believe that a responsible person, not intent on committing suicide will seek and follow, at all and any cost, the advise of an expert in a bid to stay alive.
It should be the general assumption that people who make up the earth's system of governments are responsible people who are prepared to do any and everything necessary to save the earth and its inhabitants from annihilation by an ill that can be cured using abundantly available alternate resources.
From the above perspective then, the subsidization of alternate energy sources ought to be at the top of the agenda of every responsible government on earth for a variety of reasons including:
The immediate risk of exposure posed by the problem at hand.
Need to initiate, implement and accelerate an immediate solution.
Initial cost of emergent technologies.
Impact of high crude prices on economic sustenance.
Reduction of dependency on foreign energy sources.
Hardly any day passes without news in the media about the dangers posed to our existence by global warming. Typical example is a current news item about the damage being done to Chile's economy by climate change as reported by the BBC via the link http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8058080.stm.
As a result of the immediate nature of the problem, it has become necessary that governments across the planet should develop, implement and accelerate solutions that are effective now and not any minute later.
It is common knowledge that the development of new and emerging technologies however, always carry an initial high cost which sometimes kills most of the projects in their embryonic stage. This is where a responsible government needs to actively seek out and lend a hand to those who need it to sustain research and development and rolling out of new products geared towards greening of our planet.. Rather than imposing taxes on electricity consumption as is being proposed by the Governor of California, I believe responsible governments ought to follow the lead of Germany which has just opened its first Solar powered plant according to the news item at http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/1220-05.htm
The impact of high crude prices on the economy has always been negative, resulting in high energy costs, loss of jobs, depression, rise in welfare applications, loss of lives and not to mention the ever present negative effect on the atmosphere.
Actively patronizing and developing alternate energy sources like wind, solar, thermal, portable nuclear energy and many others has the potential to reduce dependency on foreign oil supplies, an activity that has over time had an adverse effect on the economy when the prices of crude go beyond reasonable levels. Prices of crude are waiting to shoot through the roof as the Indian and Chinese economies continue to develop higher consumption rates.
Some active participation of governments in the subsidization of renewable energy sources should include:
Tax breaks for the development and production of hybrid vehicles by manufacturers, and subsidies for those who go out of their way to purchase these type of vehicles.
Tax breaks, subsidies and other monetary incentives for homebuilders and home owners who want to include renewable energy resources in their homes.
Active participation in the design and development of alternative energy resources outside and in collaboration with the private sector.
Advantages of government subsidization of renewable energy sources include:
Early adoption of the technology by a high percentage of the population which will result in a very positive gain for the government and other industry players.
Reduced dependency on foreign oil reserves.
Less carbon emissions due to excessive use of crude oil byproducts.
Creation of new job and career opportunities.
Much less dependency on welfare handouts.
Perhaps, greater hope for a greener, more habitable planet.