Often leadership is speaking the truth, even if unpopular.
David Letterman gets some laughs in his rant earlier this month about doomsday resulting from global warming - but what the heck, anything that gets the message across.
Sometimes leadership is calling for action -- even if you are the owner of a greenhouse gas emitting race car team like Dave. In the big picture it's more important that someone as well known as him is waking more people up that we need to reduce our emissions of greenhouse gases NOW.
Some of the lines are funny, however some of the audience's laughter seems to have a nervous tinge to it. What do you think?
When Dave mentions alternative energy he gets huge applause. This always happens; the vast majority think wind energy and solar energy are great answers. The problem? VERY FEW RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECTS ARE ECONOMICALLY VIABLE WITHOUT SUBSIDIES. Why? Fossil fuels are still relatively cheap - yes, even with oil at around $100/barrel. Did more investors move into renewable energy as oil skyrocketed past $100/barrel? Sure. Was it a groundswell that changed our energy "landscape'? No. Why not? Most predicted (correctly) that oil prices would come down.
You've probably heard the quote that there's nothing Wall Street likes less than uncertainty. A revenue-neutral, phased-in, federal tax shift from income to non-renewable energy would provide the additional certainty the energy market needs.
Are you a supporter of renewable energy? If yes, what is the best way for renewable energy to REALLY become a force in this country? For it to significantly cut greenhouse gas emissions and become an economic engine? How do we turn oil companies into energy companies?
