This week provides a whirlwind of interesting material. First, I read a fascinating article about China’s position in the sprint toward green, clean energy and technology.
At a Shanghai clean-tech conference the author shared a critical observation: the Chinese business people in attendance arrived early but didn’t stay. It seems China values action more than words.
Break to the 4th Annual Clean Tech Awards Gala in San Francisco, the Oscars of clean technology. Hosted in the Masonic Auditorium by the likes of Google and Autodesk. The trade show floor was lined with innovators sharing their state-of-the-art home energy management systems and solar distribution software, touted to stimulate the market and inevitably lower the price. All participants were looking for funding with the hope that angel investors in attendance would shine brightly on them.
Meanwhile, China, the holder of our tremendous debt is busily spend the accruing interest by building coal fired power plants next to massive wind farms. Back home, our cities and states prepare for stimulus funds but fearfully don’t add any new jobs. Sustainable businesses anxiously wait for America’s confidence to return so that they can pay their workforce to install, remodel and restructure how we use our energy.
Cash, the King of Our Empire, is held up in a palace in China and seems to be enjoying his stay. As we move toward a new kind of feudalism, where trade and barter are acceptable forms of payment, localvores and community gardens abound, perhaps our country will graciously release its grip on a world market it no longer dominates, stop talking about how to get it back and just get to work.
Lisa Goddard
