New Energy Revolution

Awakening to New Energy Alternatives

As America and the Northern Hemisphere nations vigorously compete for remaining oil reserves, there is a quiet revolution in progress that heralds a new geo-political landscape. Human civilization is dependent upon petroleum only because no concerted effort has been applied to the alternatives. The vested interests are, of course, reluctant to change a proven system (the fossil fuel economy) for fear of destabilizing their profitable business infrastructure. However, abundant evidence now shows that such a course will not only imperil the global ecology, but oil production will dramatically decline over the next century, negatively impacting our economic futures.

In laboratories around the planet, in scientific circles as diverse as the many cultures that populate our globe, an emerging class of unconventional energy technologies is being birthed. Some of these are the logical 'next step' innovations building upon the state-of-the-art. Others are truly quantum advances in the understanding of how energy is generated. The aggregate body of knowledge represented by these developments clearly holds the key to moving beyond our destructive addiction to oil.

What generally characterizes the new energy principles and systems is that they fall outside the realm of conventional theory. For this reason, the orthodox science establishment has specifically ignored the effects seen in these technologies. It is herein proposed that a private University be established to focus exclusively on the 'anomalies' that underpin new energy systems. The promise of such research is that a vast range of phenomena will be opened to exploitation.

Is it not preferable to envision a world that has dispensed with the fear of limited resources? It follows that should a sustainable energy economy be put in place, a more equitable future will be possible for all. The question of energy is viewed as central to resolving global conflict, including 'the war on terrorism'. Were the future to be instead dominated by the prevailing tension, we would see a steady decline in overall quality of life. Whereas, abundant energy would lower the cost of living, enhance the economy, and expand the potential of human endeavor.

While at this stage there is but a minority of players in the alternative energy sphere, relative to the oil-based business sector, nothing is more pressing than the support of these rising entrepreneurs. It has been projected that wind-energy alone could reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil by one-half within the span of two-decades. The political consequences of this shift would be immense. Not only would the present thrust to militarize the Middle Eastern theater be unnecessary, we would gradually prove the viability of new energy systems over and above that of conventional sources (oil, coal, nuclear).

What makes this argument so compelling is the existence of truly advanced energy generation techniques that give us a renewed glimpse into the nature of the Cosmos. Since the industrial revolution, the scientific worldview has been fundamentally biased towards an 'entropic' model, i.e. the idea that all energy in the Universe will one day 'run out'. There is not only no conclusive proof to support this assertion, there are numerous examples that contradict it. Unfortunately, a dogmatic conviction has been enshrined in the minds of most scientists that any cosmology other than this is false. In the case where an effect is shown to violate this 'law of physics' (the conservation of energy within a 'limited system'), it is classified as 'anomalous', awaiting the day it can be explained in consonance with the theory. In other words, science is now more interested to uphold its theoretical constructs than to admit new knowledge and embrace its benefits.

The bulk of humanity suffers while the elite academics and industrialists prop up their ivory towers.

Just as in the time of Jesus, when the 'law' was considered to have greater significance than the Spirit, our age is one in which the doctrine of limitation has proven more enduring than a policy of liberation.

In order for this benign revolution to progress, the research and development of new energy technology must be pursued in parallel with socio-political reforms. Time is short, for we are approaching the point at which the insatiable appetite for oil will exceed our capacity to fulfill the demand. This juncture is known as "Peak Oil" and is said to be looming on the immediate horizon. Once a consensus is reached that no greater reserves of oil can be secured, the global economy will begin to contract. As the value of currency itself is firmly pegged to economic growth, this portends ominous changes in the ability of peoples and nations to achieve prosperity.

It is no surprise that a rise of militarism should precede the demise of the fossil fuel empire. It is the vain attempt of the 'old guard' to extend the life of a dying ideology. Rather than take proactive steps to reconstitute the existing business model, brute force is the preferred, more expedient choice. This approach will bring with it an uncertain future. For often, in the chaos that accompanies an era of conflict, many basic human values are compromised.

Both the best and the worst in our nature are available at this point in history. The idealistic vision of sustainable energy is matched against greed and recalcitrance. In truth, the two attitudes may need to be melded if the world is to survive as we know it.

At this moment, the path is undeniable for those progressively-oriented souls who understand our dilemma. The democratic society needs to become decidedly unanimous where energy is concerned. The balance of power must be shifted such that our untenable use of oil is kept in check with the introduction of new energy breakthroughs. Even in the case these technologies are in an embryonic state that wouldn't, under normal economic conditions, qualify them as viable investments, these extraordinary times demand we broaden our perspective. The damage being wrought in the absence of robust alternatives to oil more than warrants even the speculative support of new energy. Once we have corrected our course, an unparalleled renaissance is assured.

Andrew Mount
June 18, 2004.