Lucy and the Sky with Carbon Emissions

History Channel this weekend has been re-airing Earth 2100, a 2 hour program originally aired on ABC in 2009. The program, narrated by Bob Woodruff, follows the fictitious Lucy, born January 1st, 2009, throughout her life as the effects of climate change destroy the world as we know it.

The story may be a work of fiction, however, the scenarios themselves are very real possibilities laid out by top scientists in fields relating to the earth and climate change. One of the main themes Lucy discusses is the futile attempts by a few individuals to use renewable green energy before catastrophe ensues. By the time the rest of the planet realizes that self sustainable "green" power is the only thing that can save them, it is too late.

The Center for a New American Security's simulation of a global summit on climate was another frightening scene. The real life Washington think tank staged this game in the summer before the program originally aired. The roles of global leaders were played by the worlds high level policy makers. Together they played out a scenario in which the year is 2015 and Miami and Bangladesh have both been destroyed by extreme weather brought on by climate change. Despite the fact that this was merely an elaborate political L.A.R.P., these policy makers were unable to even feign a compromise. China and India point out that America achieved it's status as an economic power house through it's industrial revolution. If other developing countries are not able to evolve similarly then they will never reach a point of economic relevance in the world. China and India continued to barter with the U.S. but in the end no viable compromise could be made about emission reductions. These events beg the question, if we can't even make rational, mutually beneficial decisions whilst playing pretend, what hope do we have to solve these problems in reality?

The airing of this program on the heels of President Obama's announcement Friday to award tax credits to U.S. companies that manufacture green technologies only strengthens the confidence of those who support the decision. No one can argue against the need for the 17,000 new American jobs this tax credit could potentially create, and now for many it seems clear that creating these jobs in the green technology sector has multiple benefits. Whether or not these "green jobs" could grow in to a global movement which could save our future is anyone's guess, but somewhere out there in story land, Lucy is crossing her fingers.

Can Green Jobs put Arizona Residents Back in the Black?

President Obama announced Friday the awarding of $2.3 billion in tax credits to companies that manufacture green technologies, such as solar panels and wind turbines. The money for this tax credit is coming from the $787 billion already allocated for the economic stimulus program. He says the tax credit would create approximately 17,000 new jobs in the U.S. Obama then made a plea to congress to approve another $5 billion to create more "green jobs".



Obama's announcement comes at a critical time as pundits are already all a flutter with predictions about this year's midterm elections. Politicians spent the majority of this Presidents first year in office battling over health insurance reform and it's left little time available to focus on jobs or the economy. With the final outcome of the health insurance reform bill still up in the air small businesses seem reluctant to hire until they know what this bill will mean for them; effects of this are reflected in the latest jobs report showing a loss of 85,000 jobs in December. Creating an additional 17,000 jobs would not only be a boost to the U.S. economy, but could also boost support for Dems at the voting booth this coming November.



17,000 new jobs is great news for the country, but where will these jobs be? At the present time American owned green energy product manufacturers are few and far between in Arizona. Suntech Power, Chinas largest solar panel manufacturer, plans to open its first American plant near Phoenix later this year and will build panels from solar cells shipped from China. The Dry Lake Wind Project, Arizona's first wind farm, uses wind turbines manufactured by Suzlon Energy of India. President Obama's tax credit may encourage manufacturers to build new American owned plants in Arizona, and there may also be a "trickle down" effect spurring hiring increases with retailers and installers. With 273 days of sunshine a year Arizona is surely an ideal place to put solar energy to good use.