So what is the time frame for when you are trying to hit Net Zero? This is the question that is so often neglected.
Is it 2050, like most climate activists say is essential to save the planet?
Or is it 2150 (or something like that)?
The answer to the question drives policy options.
If your answer is 2050, then I am extremely skeptical whether technological innovation (or anything short of the collapse of the world economy) can achieve the goal.
If the answer is 2150 (or something like that), then I would say that technological innovation makes success very likely, but it requires little if any government policy beyond funding R&D for new energy sources.
The problem is that the current trajectory is unsustainable. Governments will run out of other peoples money. What happens when the spigot turns from todays fire hose to tomorrow’s annoying drip drip of the kitchen faucet? None of the businesses you mentioned are able to function on said drip. The key is indeed the pace and Michael above is dead right, the 2150-ish date matches much better with the finite nature of the FF energy system and prices will naturally be aligned with the new lower price of low CO2 energy solutions. The fact that your focus is in electricity generation and not the myriad other uses is a warning that you are still overly optimistic. Why not let the market take care of this?
So what is the time frame for when you are trying to hit Net Zero? This is the question that is so often neglected.
Is it 2050, like most climate activists say is essential to save the planet?
Or is it 2150 (or something like that)?
The answer to the question drives policy options.
If your answer is 2050, then I am extremely skeptical whether technological innovation (or anything short of the collapse of the world economy) can achieve the goal.
If the answer is 2150 (or something like that), then I would say that technological innovation makes success very likely, but it requires little if any government policy beyond funding R&D for new energy sources.
So which do you choose?
The problem is that the current trajectory is unsustainable. Governments will run out of other peoples money. What happens when the spigot turns from todays fire hose to tomorrow’s annoying drip drip of the kitchen faucet? None of the businesses you mentioned are able to function on said drip. The key is indeed the pace and Michael above is dead right, the 2150-ish date matches much better with the finite nature of the FF energy system and prices will naturally be aligned with the new lower price of low CO2 energy solutions. The fact that your focus is in electricity generation and not the myriad other uses is a warning that you are still overly optimistic. Why not let the market take care of this?