A Sustainable Future

Abstract

I remember when President Jimmy Carter proposed sweaters as an energy conservation strategy. He was right—dressing for climate and season has always been a natural and sensible part of life (and even fashion). But the idea that we had to compromise our thermostat settings and change our behavior, even in a minor way, resulted in political outrage. In the end, it seemed better to control OPEC even if it led to war—as it has repeatedly. Sadly, more than thirty years later, we still have the same three basic options: maintain our oil dependence through dollars and blood, implement a new set of technologies that can supply our current energy appetite with renewable sources, or build a more urban future and in so doing conserve more resources and change our lifestyle.

At this critical juncture—when energy, environmental, fiscal, and national security challenges are converging—we cannot afford another generation of unsustainable growth.