What is one piece of renewable energy tech you would like to see by the end of the decade? (2020 for those keeping score at home)
Climate Engineering Technology is on my list of things that should be looked at more seriously.
But in terms of renewable energy, I think carbon capture may be something we have to roll out on mass by 2020 if only to buy us more time and reduce the emissions with current technology. Thats something we can do now and aren't waiting around for anything. If we did that for every coal, oil or gas power station or any industrial process using coal or oil (such as making steel) with whatever current technologies we have it would make a difference.
Its not ideal but Its an emergency. so It shouldn't be an "either renewable or bust" situation as we should be prepared to do literally anything that can get us out of this mess. Its not very glamorous but it could reduce emissions in the short term and "normalise" the processes for eliminating carbon emissions rather than as a distant, abstract or hypothetical one.
The only reason not to do it is that its cheaper to go straight to renewables (which will be true of some areas but not others).
In the long term, basically we just need some serious money and investment to move this thing world-wide. Public or private- I don't care as long as it gets done.
Assuming you don't believe that climate change is caused by humans, why do people use that as an excuse to not try to do anything about it? Do we not still struggle when there's no hope that it'll save us from drowning or falling to our deaths? Or do these people deep down still not believe in warming at all? Or (sinister, my favorite) do they not care?
I think thats for me.
Errrrr....
I'm not sure. My best guess is that its part of a libertarian belief that collective action on any issue is coercive and a threat to personal liberty. Thats the least cynical explanation anyway.