Why Energize America?

What is the imperative that drives the requirement to act?

And, well, why should the EA2020 path be taken seriously?

Both questions are driven by challenges that I and others involved in Energize America have received at times.

This diary, this discussion briefly reviews answers to the first with the second to be discussed at another time ...

And, these diaries are not intended as final statements, end-all documents, but are drafts to engender conversation, thoughts, suggestions to help move the thinking along.

They are intended to help us ... all of US ... answer the question Why Energize America toward a sustainable and prosperous energy future.

First, why this diary? Recently, I was challenged that 'you only care about this because of Global Warming and it is so much bigger than that ...' Well, I -- and everyone of the people involved in Energize America (especially those who started it: Jerome a Paris, Meteor Blades, and Devilstower) -- is well aware that this is not 'just about Global Warming'.

Second, as a relief to some, this diary is different from most -- a series of thoughts, within a coherent whole, but without many links and references. Every item is defendable, citable, etc but this is just a brief review essay.

Third, please chime in for missing elements, ways to phrase better, etc ... This is, again, not intended as a definitive statement but a work in progress looking for paths to improve (though -- certainly willing to hear about how and why something is strong ...).

So, Why Energize America? Why should we care?

Let us be upfront and clear: there is no single answer, nothing is THE answer. It is not simply Global Warming. It is not simply security vulnerabilities. It is not simply economic. It is not simply Peak Oil. It is not, well, simple. The requirement is simple: we should be striving to change the nation's energy structure. But how one emphasizes "why" can impact, strongly, how.

In short, however, here are key reasons to change America's path when it comes to its energy structure and its fossil fuel addiction:

ECONOMIC

* The United States trade deficit is partially driven by oil and natural gas (liquid natural gas) imports will be increasing. And, with Peak Oil/world demand curves, only a fool would be betting those prices to go down. And, the US is importing many energy technologies/pieces of equipment (such as wind turbines) due to uncertain domestic markets and poor investment strategies.
* A better energy system will lead to increased employment (JOBS! JOBS! JOBS!) as, per dollar of energy, renewable energy and energy efficiency create far more employment than burning fossil fuels. In addition, this will keep dollars ashore (not buying Furrin' Oil & Gas) for jobs while improving exports as more products are built in the US and better technologies/products developed here. This ranges from a revitalized automobile sector to building renewable energy systems to home energy auditors to ... There is a lot of green to be made in going GREEN and millions of good jobs to come in these sectors.
* Save money in homes, businesses, government by reducing waste of power and created a viable mix of power that will reduce energy cost growth (if not lead to lower total energy bills)
* Improve global economy through investments in renewable energy that improves people's lives globally
* Reduced economic vulnerability to Peak Oil and uncertainties of energy trade both due to increased power diversification and reduced energy use. At this time, the United States (and the global community) risks running into the brick wall of Peak Oil with, literally, potentially catastrophic implications -- moving off our "addiction to oil" as rapidly as possibly will reduce those vulnerabilities.

Environment

* Global Warming Reduced Green-House Gas (GHG) emissions (mainly CO2, but also methane which would be burned (creating CO2, which has lower impact and which will displace other potentially more polluting power)) will reduce Global Warming extent (and, hopefully, enable turning tide to eventually see a falling back toward pre-fossil fuel emissions levels of CO2)
* Reduced pollution -- particulates, oil spills, chemicals, etc
* Overall, reduced environmental impact on ecosystems for mining/such ... enhanced protection for wildlife
* Ability to restore ecosystems, enhance wildlife

Health

* See above ... reduced pollution will translate to reduced asthma, cancers, etc ...
* People living/working in environmentally friendly (energy efficient) structures are healthier.

National Security (traditionally defined+)
* Reduced vulnerability to foreign control of key elements of US economy / society (oil)
* Reduced imperative for military / other activity around the world (Middle East and otherwise)
* Reduced resources for potentially dangerous/unstable adversaries
* End 'funding of both sides' of the (so-called) war on terror
* Reduced potential future tensions as ending the global competition for oil (reduced potential for 'resource wars')
* Greater resiliency in the face of natural or man-made disaster with a more robust society that uses less energy, produces power from a multitude of sources, and has a distributed generation system linked through a smart grid.
* More efficient, less costly military (less reliant on oil)
* Reduced instability, reduced global poverty, reduced environmental stress globally -- all of which will reduce threats to America's national security and reduce requirements for deployments of military forces. (Including the potential for reduced fundamentalist terrorist threat against the US ... potential ...)

Interacting dynamics ...
Let me be clear, all of these interact. A stronger economy, healthier population and reduced environmental risk all, for example, are part of national secuirity. A healthier population will support a stronger economy (and a stronger economy will strengthen efforts for a healthier population). And, these benefits would extend not just to Americans but to people around the world. Thus, not only is there not THE reason, all of the reasons for the imperative to Energize America

And, well, the above is not an exhaustive list of every reason ... feel free to let me (us) know what is missing.

Ask yourself:

Are you doing
your part to
ENERGIZE AMERICA?

Are you ready
to do your part?

Your voice can
... and will make a difference.

So ... SPEAK UP ... NOW!!!

*NOTES*
Three valuable references for this discussion which, poorly, paraphrases 10s of diaries and possibly 10,000s of comments here at Daily Kos (and through the EA2020 community):
* Energize America: F rom Concept to Action -- Jerome a Paris at Yearly Kos 2 (Chicago, 2007)

* Energize America presentation "the energy situation" at Yearly Kos 1, Jerome a Paris (Las Vegas, 2006)

* EA 2020 plan, v 5, June 2006 -- Pages 3-5 have much discussion as to "why" and EA2020 benefits related to those reasons.