Energy Independence
The world’s supply of oil is depleting at the rate some say, then
the people of today’s oil-producing countries must eventually begin
to depend on agriculture and forms of commerce other than oil. With the
use of clean energy and power from wind, photovoltaics, and fuel cells
they will be able to produce goods, travel with ease in fuel cell vehicles,
improve living conditions for all, and enlarge their commerce and industry,
thus improving their economies and bringing peace. They will build desalinization
plants run by hydrogen fuel cells, so that from the seas that surround
them they will transform salt water to fresh, pure, potable water. At such
a time, the small amount of oil still available may be sold for lubrication
of machinery used in manufacturing. Any goods produced using renewable
energy will be for the people’s own consumption and for export to
other countries. Their economies will move from oil-based to agriculture
and commerce, and they will prosper.
In the drought-ridden countries of Africa, there will be plenty rather
than famine -- all because of water pumped from the earth by the power
of photovoltaics. Homes will be lighted and cooled by the power from photovoltaics.
Because of the wealth brought about by the abundance of water and power,
peace will reign in Africa.
To date, we in this country are slow in our moving toward the hydrogen
economy and the use of renewable energy; yet in China, millions will soon
be driving fuel cell cars. They are already in early-stage planning to
have their vehicles run on hydrogen. The vast reaches of the Chinese homeland
will not become polluted by fossil fuel combustion engine emissions because
of this remarkable foresight on the part of the Chinese government. Several
hydrogen conferences are planned in Asia in the immediate future. Japan
is moving ahead swiftly with innovations in their hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.
Europe is making extensive use of photovoltaics for electrical power, much
more than we are at this present time. Many other countries are utilizing
wind power for electricity far beyond what is being produced here. The
cost of producing fuel cells in this country is prohibitive; and for that
reason at this time we have only a few companies producing them. Lack of
funding, lack of cooperation between investors and producers, lack of foresight,
all contribute to our backward attitudes in this area.
The United States is being left behind in this most vital of all endeavors
-- saving the planet. By changing our energy policies nationwide (something
currently being attempted by many individual business men in America, by
entrepreneurs, citizens, and local and state governments) and by traveling
the road to the hydrogen economy, we will make a change that leads to peace,
prosperity, a clean environment, and a legacy of health, wealth and happiness
for all who come after us. We will have taken the best road.
