| Monday, April 9, 2007 |
| Foundation Offers $100 Million for Research |
The New York Times article states that the Doris Duke foundation will donate $100 million to fund research on global warming. More specifically, the money is intended to further progress towards energy policies in the US. The idea is that there will be mandatory restrictions on the amount of pollutants (most importantly carbon dioxide) that can be emitted. Their ultimate goal of changing policy is an on-going effort to support renewable and efficient energy sources.
The matter is complicated, however, by the fact that they hope to set up a "cap-and-trade scheme." This means that there will be an upper limit on the amount of carbon dioxide emissions in an attempt to get companies to "budget" their pollutants.
"Cap-and-trade is the approach embodied in the current legislative proposals, and it would involve setting an economywide cap on total carbon dioxide emissions, allocate or auction emissions allowances to utilities and other companies, and create a trading market in these 'permissions to pollute.'"
"Mr. Bowman of the Duke foundation said that putting a price on carbon dioxide emissions was crucial to provide the economic incentive for needed investments in industrial cleanup, innovative low-carbon technologies and renewable sources of energy like solar and wind power."
The question is: can we really put a price on CO2 emissions and will that price be high enough to provoke action in the large corporations that rely on fossil fuels to stay in business?
Mr. Bowman goes on to say that he hopes this policy will be complimented by an increase in energy efficient technologies and utilities.Labels: global warming |
posted by Lauren @ 1:42 PM 
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| 2 Comments: |
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Lauren, you rock! I hope there is an increase of energy efficient technologies, too. But I also hope that it is within realistic monetary means for us average folk.
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Yay! I hope it's ok. I know it's kinda long.
I totally agree with you on the new technologies. I think it's really easy to get excited about how energy efficient stuff can be, but we also need to remember that if it's going to make a noticable difference, it has to be affordable to the people that will use it!
I mean, I always hear people say, "I'd buy a hybrid car.. if I could AFFORD one!" And I have to say, I agree. It's hard to find a balance between being environmentally friendly and not breaking the bank.
Anyway, glad to contribute! I'm sure I'll be adding little bits that I find. I'm always reading about this stuff. Glad you enjoyed it! :)
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Lauren, you rock! I hope there is an increase of energy efficient technologies, too. But I also hope that it is within realistic monetary means for us average folk.