<div>Roger Falen wrote:</div>
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<div>I mentioned breakthrough because it recommend solving problems through technology not excessive regulation. I realize they would use government to do this. While some business incentives would be justified, it should basically be left up to the free market. I said that the approach of breakthrough and A contract with Earth are different. <br>
Roger<br>--------</div>
<div>It would be wonderful if the free market and grass roots efforts could substantially and rapidly address climate change, and eventual fossil fuel depletion, given the critical need to roll out alternative energy technologies. But given the pace of the roll out so far, this is not working. </div>
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<div>There is too much short term profit to be made maintaining the fossil fueled powered economy mostly as it is, for the "free market" to address climate change quickly enough to lessen the destructive and very costly long term effects, while an oil crisis that could cripple our economy becomes more probable every year. Of course some energy corporations could make a killing off an oil crisis; and we see Exxon/Mobil making record setting profits (the most of any corporation in history) in recent years, as pressures on the oil markets have pushed gasoline to a sustained high price in the USA, hurting consumer spending and stressing middle and lower class budgets.</div>
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<div>I guess you do not favor a massive "Apollo" styled government program to promote roll out of alternative energy technologies. But I don't really see any other way to realistically address a quick and significant implementation of alternative energy. For example, do you think Exxon/Mobil, the largest oil corporation on the planet, with incredible resources to lobby the US government (VP Cheney's secret energy corporation meetings...), is going to push for the rapid roll out of alternative non-fossil fuel energy in the free market?</div>
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<div>I think the answer is obvious. No.</div>
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<div>Ted Moffett</div>