The year 2008 has been a roller-coaster for many of us but it was a very positive year for the Green movement. While gas prices went up and down as never before, 2008 marked several important milestones: the take-off of the renewable energy sector and the use of hybrid cars, the realization that the US needs to play a stronger role to combat global warming, the resurgence of green initiatives in corporations and the push for higher efficiencies across the board. Even George Bush now speaks candidly about Global Warming in a rare televised footage…
While the future of the economy is still in question, the year ended with some more good (and serious) notes. The Senate smartly renewed tax credits for the clean-energy sector part of the Bailout Plan, and the President Elect appointed an environmental “dream team” to implement his coming policies. The “green dream team” includes Carol Browner as White House energy czar, Steven Chu a Nobel Laureate for physics as head of the Energy Department, and Lisa Jackson as director of the Environmental Protection Agency. Barrack Obama also previously picked Colorado Senator Ken Salazar, who has opposed drilling in Alaska's National Wildlife Refuge, as his Interior Secretary.
As the year in a few hours I thought to end my last post of 2008 with my top-5 green wishes for 2009. Here we go:
1. The transition to hybrid cars continues despite lower gas prices
2. Solar energy reaches cost-parity and the new solar-cell market bubble doesn’t go bust!
3. The new Administration does make green initiatives a priority part of long-term economical reforms
4. US joins Europe in renewing Kyoto agreements and preparing the next Cap & Trade system for 2012
5. After buying a hybrid car in 2008, I get an electrical car for free (note: I had to list that one!)
With that, I want to thank my regular readers for their continuous support and for simply reading my new blog. Suggestions are welcome and I promise to post more regularly; this is part of my new-year’s resolutions.
