Will the "green bubble" sustain?
I was listening to NPR yesterday and there was a story about the burst of the "green bubble." Like the housing bubble and the internet bubble before it, investors are more wary of funding green technologies than they were a couple of years ago. The spiraling market doesn't help much.Because of lean times, instead of embracing alternative energy which will cost more up front and deliver savings over time, people are expected to hunker down with their coal and fuel burning devices until the market bounces back in their favor. I can see this happening with immediate concerns including food, shelter, clothing and heat.
The bright side is that there has been so much education and discussion about sustainable practice that many Americans see it as a viable and necessary alternative. Recycling in the average city doesn't cost much -- if anything -- extra to the homeowner. Organic foods are going to have to remain competitive in price if manufacturers want to survive lean times. Large business are going to keep finding ways to cut costs and if CFLs and reduced shipping costs can do that and help the earth then so be it.
What are your thoughts? Have you cut back on any "green" things or have you further embraced them over the past few months?













Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-10-2008 @ 11:53PM
ryan said...
The true essence of "green" is, by definition, cutting back!
I am personally still very interested in solar water heaters, solar panels, and wind power. The payback times are still too long to take the plunge though. If electricity rates were to double or triple, then alternative energy devices would make sense.
Government could impose huge taxes on energy, and use that money to provide tax breaks to people who installed solar panels and the like. It would sure do a lot more to help the economy than supporting $400k parties for robber baron CEOs and the like!
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10-28-2008 @ 1:40PM
jh said...
I think, along with several economists, that the 'green bubble' is actually going to be the next big money maker for our economy. Especially if the democrats win this election, I believe that we are only seeing the tip of the iceberg as far as this technology is concerned.
jh
http://www.bodaweightloss.com
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11-13-2008 @ 12:51PM
Abbeville said...
For a fascinating look into the coming energy revolution and the potential for a "green bubble," we recommend Robert Bell's book of the same name:
http://www.abbeville.com/bookpage.asp?isbn=9780789209559
Thanks!
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