Google just published a blog. Its important. Green Tech is a business no brainer.
Over at Google.org in a post by Bill Weihl, , Google 's Green Energy Czar http://goo.gl/yhqN4 , full report at http://www.google.org/energyinnovation/, Google compares and contrasts business as usual thinking versus a business minded clean tech investment future.
In a nutshell the US economy would massively benefit from GDP growth , job creation and reduced emissions.
Grow GDP by over $155 billion/year ($244 billion in our Clean Policy scenario)
Create over 1.1 million new full-time jobs/year (1.9 million with Clean Policy)
Reduce household energy costs by over $942/year ($995 with Clean Policy)
Reduce U.S. oil consumption by over 1.1 billion barrels/year
Reduce U.S. total carbon emissions by 13% in 2030 (21% with Clean Policy
Dig a bit deeper?
One ,speed matters. simply waiting and arguing could cost trillions. The Google model found a five year delay (2010-2015) in accelerating technology innovation led to $2.3-3.2 trillion in unrealized GDP, an aggregate 1.2-1.4 million net unrealized jobs and 8-28 more gigatons of potential GHG emissions by 2050.
Two, Google highlights that it is the interplay of policy and business that will make the difference. That's shorthand for Big government and BIG business working together , respecting the role that each has to play if the US is going to play any part at all in a low carbon future.
How will that play out in US political scene ,seemly more divided than ever across party lines , with BIG government seen as the problem and not part of the solution? The signs are not good
Writing in the Washington Post ,Stephen Stromberg suggests http://goo.gl/JAT5N that a series of offsets between business and government, between taxing old polluting businesses and at the same time rewarding clean tech business growth via fiscal and tax incentives might help.
Its a long shot as the Washington Post itself suggests.
Which frankly is a tragedy for the commons. What might it take for everyone to see the business benefits of green tech ,to move us away from yah boo sucks political infighting?
Google's report helps a lot,and should be essential reading for business and policy makers world wide.
Julian Fifield is innovating in an energy management business in the UK
