Timothy Lawton

One of the greatest crises looming over mankind today is energy. The world economy is based on oil and the supply of oil is finite. Obviously if society is to continue to function we have to, not only change how we use energy, but find alternative sources to oil. The remaining reserves of oil are irrelevant due to its’ byproduct of greenhouse gases and the fact that the money we use to buy oil is largely being used to help our enemies attack us. Thus far alternative energy sources seem to be elusive. Private investment into the research to solve this problem is good, but something else is needed if we are to address this problem before it reaches a critical point. Failure to do so will lead to catastrophic wars over energy resources and diminishing agricultural products and clean water. The possible answer to this crisis is the creation of a project to find alternative fuels similar to the Manhattan project during WWII in which the U.S. government developed the atomic bomb.

A number of considerations need to be looked at in order to form such a program. Funding, what to research, and how to implement the distribution and use of new energy resources are paramount. Looking at this problem urgently is a necessity for America, the fact that we are only 5% of the world’s population and consume 25% of its’ oil stresses this reality. Something has to change if our country and the world are to manage to survive.

Funding of such a project could come from a number of sources. The state and federal governments already invest some tax money in this area, but this alone will not suffice. Raising taxes is not reasonable because it will only add to the stresses the economy is already enduring. Therefore other means of funding an energy project are necessary. Tax breaks for both research and results would be the most desirable. The exact details of such a source of funding would have to be worked out by politicians and those who would participate in the program. Tax incentives for research can be based on the dollars invested by corporations at a one to one or two to one basis. Result oriented incentives can be based on the percentage of what any new fuel reduces our dependency on imported oil.

The federal government’s main role in this project would be to establish a council or agency that would oversee the various operations. The most important purpose of this body would be to prevent   unnecessary duplication of scientific inquiry. The vast number of researchers and types of fuel will certainly lead to a significant organization problem. Gaining cooperation between these disparate groups would greatly facilitate the research process.

If the U.S. were to seriously consider this endeavor we would need to decide what forms of energy we would consider. We would also need to look at other nations that have embarked on such projects. Brazil and Iceland are two such examples. Iceland has an enormous potential to tap geothermal energy that exists beneath their island. Their experience could be a helpful teacher but their small population and size limit our ability to extrapolate from their efforts. Brazil on the other hand can teach us a lot. They made a move to ethanol and biodiesel after the oil crises in the 1970’s. Their energy independence is exemplary, but their reliance on a single replacement has lead to new pollution problems caused by their choice of alternative fuel.

I believe the answer to this challenge is diversity. The worst result of our use of fossil fuels has been the immense release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. If we replace oil with a single alternative we are almost certain to destabilize the environment with some new byproduct from that fuel source. Allowing a number of fuels and power sources to work their way into our economy would permit the most positive results. Every region should maximize the resources available locally and supplement it with engineered fuels.

What power generators should we choose?  I’m open to all but one choice, nuclear power. Nano technology, geothermal, tidal, wind, biodiesel, methanol, ethanol, solar, and hydropower are all essential research subjects. We need to especially find ways to explore fuel initiation from natural self -existing processes. Nuclear power has great rewards in terms of power but its’ waste and dangers are just too hot to handle. Tell me when has mankind ever made a machine with which he hasn’t had an accident? All of the other fuels I have mentioned have the potential to be managed in a relatively safe manner.

So what alternative means of existence would I try? What ways would I alter what we do now? Transportation has become an integral part of society, goods are being moved by autos on land and ships at sea, lighter than air vehicles could potentially reduce our reliance on such means. Trees can be planted in highway mediums and malls. We can find out ways to make things in such a way that we throw very little out. Garbage disposal is a gargantuan task. It’s a waste to pile acre after acre of society’s discard. Increasing our ability to recycle and our use of recycled materials would also reduce our energy consumption.  Finding a way to coordinate this nationally is essential. Fuel must be available and affordable. America must act now and invest in the future. We have to demand that we create an atmosphere of invention. Life or death depends upon what we do now.

Sincerely Timothy Lawton