This is our conversation to date, assembled by Sean, aka The Doctor.
1)Al Gore NY Times editorial:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/
2) Brophy:
Hopefully. I think both the IT boom (still goin on) and the green movement are considered investments in the eyes of businesses. The investments come in many forms, for IT its things like improved efficiency and security, whereas for the green movement its things like renewable energy, positive PR, or reducing waste. Either way, the initiatives were and are undertaken with the promise of eventual cost savings and improved profitability…resources are committed with the belief of a future payout.
The difference though, is back when the IT world really boomed (like a Harrell/Crabtree connection – get them guns up!), the economy also was booming and investments in general were booming. Now, things are different, the economy has taken a downturn & credit has tightened…which makes me believe that investments will dry up for a while. Even though it’s the wrong thing to do, I think that businesses will pause their green efforts forcing the green revolution to slow down a little.
However, even with a half-fledged green revolution, I still think there is money to be made in the green movement. But it won’t be widespread like the dotcom boom/bust. For the GR to really flourish businesses must focus on efficiencies with short-term payouts, and more importantly consumers will have to be partners with companies (online bank statements, paying more for safer products, sacrificing convenience for the greater good, etc.)
Go Red Raiders!
3)Potential GeoThermal Company Investment:
Check out ORA (Ormat Technologies) NYSE Geothermal leaders
4)Lombard:
Just like in the IT Revolution, businesses are not the only players. Government and individuals also play a major role.
Government. There's a good chance that government will fund a major overhaul of our energy infrastructure in order to stimulate our depressed economy. A New Deal for the modern age is how Obama described it recently. This overhaul will probably include the creation of a modernized power grid that links our homes to renewable energy sources and utilizes smart software that can better balance the energy needs of buildings. In addition to direct investment, tax breaks for Green investments are highly probable. In addition to direct investment and tax breaks, mandates for power companies to use more renewable energies and for automakers to improve their fleet efficiencies are likely. Even Texas oil man T. Boone Pickens is all for eliminating foreign oil and dirty coal (he wants renewables and natural gas). Once government commits to Green long-term, many companies big and small will place bets on Green, and Green Technology experts will be in high-demand (like software programmers in the 90's).
Individuals. Think of all the PC's that people bought for their homes during the IT Revolution. Now imagine all the appliances in a home being energy smart (able to interact with a smart energy grid). Imagine HOA's working with local power companies to install community solar arrays in order to produce their own power. Imagine people demanding and actually using mass transit. Electric vehicles. Green roofs. Locally-grown food. More recycling. The list goes on and on, and each item on the list will require solutions by entrepreneurs and companies.
Government creates the market for Green technology. People & businesses start demanding it. Green people & green businesses start supplying it. The Green Technology revolution begins.
5) Green Beer:
http://www.
6) Green Infrastructure Investments:
http://www.reuters.com/
7) Obama green video:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/
8) Carbon footprint calculator:
9) Lombard + Funny W video:
Don't worry, thanks to YouTube, you'll always be able to relive patented Bush word-mangling like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?
I like that energy tracking software, by the way. From what I'm reading, as part of a green energy grid, every building would be equipped with a brain box that would be tied into an "energy internet." This would give the power companies the data they need to operate their grid more efficiently. They'd know when the peak hours were, and could adjust prices accordingly. They'd know instantly when the power went out, so you wouldn't have to notify them. They could let people generate their own power (via solar panels or whatever) and sell surpluses to the grid. Limitless opportunities, and it all requires software. If I had any money left in the stock market, I'd put some of it into green software companies. Too bad my 401k looks like a piggy bank. Thanks Wall Street!
10) Green Water Products:
Check out these green water items:
- http://www.buildinggreentv.
com/keywords/interview/4520 - http://www.buildinggreentv.
com/4594 - http://www.buildinggreentv.
com/keywords/pools/4697
11) Buki + Electrise!
That rain reserve thing is a great idea, especially since it appears to be very simple to install. I saw a show on PBS about a guy in Georgia who was showing friends and family how to setup their own rain barrels with parts from Lowe's, but this is much easier and thus perfect for us lazy Americans.
I DID have an idea last night that is unique, green and ludicrous. A gym where instead of the exercise equipment being powered by electricity, the equipment provides electricity to the grid. So you hop on an old fashioned tread mill, get up to speed, and start powering society. Members who produce enough kilowatts would get lowered or free membership fees. Sweaty men and women are one of the great untapped resources in this country. We could call it Electricise. Genius!
12) Green Gyms:
http://www.inhabitat.com/2007/
13) Obama and Green article:
http://www.iclei-usa.org/news-
14) Michael Moore on Larry King transcript discussing GM:
http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/11/
15) JayLee- Pimpin’:
I recently saw a great quote from Obama on this exact line of thinking that really blew me away:
"Now first come the cash, then come the ass
Then come big blunts with big chunks of hash
When I score with a whore she be game for sure
Pimp so hard, a nigga drag his mink on the floor
Won't you admit it? I ain't gotta talk because I live it
Any chick fuckin with me, believe me that's a privelege
I won't be satisfied, till all my niggaz get it
See you hit it then I hit it, we get it back to split it
And Big be that nigga we be flyin through your hood
And hoodrats scopin with they eyes on my goods
See we date em like we hate em, see em like we don't need em
Treat em like we meet em, and never give up freedom
And we only give our number to selected few
And it's best that you, never knew, what good head'll do
Turn a freak to a bisexual
and if she's flexible fuck the nigga next to you"
I don't know about you guys, but that sums up what I'm looking to do quite well.
The Notorious J.A.Y.
16) NY Times Green taking over congress article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/
17) Kevin + fool.com – excellent investment website….btw:
Yeah, what I don’t like about that is it makes us a socialist economy…I think Michael Moore is a fat turd that looks at issues on a far too simplistic level. If the government comes in and starts telling what businesses can and can’t produce I am moving to Ccmmunist China!! The government needs to stop propping these companies up that can’t hack it! Our market will pay for it in the long run!! If you guys want a good site that gives really good insight on the economy look at www.fool.com There are tons of articles about the current sichiation with the automotive industry.
BTW…In the one Obama article earlier, he recommends $9.50 minimum wage while adding jobs by 2011…. Is he high! I am all for job creation, but say goodbye to them when that happens. I am sure all manufacturers will hold price on goods and services while their fixed costs go up…FAT CHANCE! In the words of Dickie V…..”Inflation city baby!!”
Just my thoughts,
Dizzle
18) Lombard:
Damn, is Sarah Palin in the house? Those are some extreme words buddy. It's not like the government is going to force GM to build anything; it's just that if they want to get bailed-out with taxpayer money, they should have to agree to some preconditions. That's voluntary for GM. The government is just nudging them towards what is right for the country, but in a passive manner. No regulations, no taxes, no interference; just the ol' stick & carrot. This type of government involvement has been referred to as "paternal libertarianism." As you know, libertarianism is on the opposite end of the spectrum from socialism.
And it's not ridiculous to think we can increase wages and employment at the same time. It happened during the 90's, when minimum wage was raised to $5.15 amidst historically low unemployment levels and an unprecedentedly bullish stock market. It actually happens a lot (click here for a better explanation). I think the best explanation for this is that "a rising tide lifts all boats." When the economy's humming, there are more jobs and they pay better. The IT Boom did this in the 90's. Obama is probably anticipating a similar Green boom now, which is why he thinks $9.50 and more jobs is possible.
All that being said, I'm with you on letting the Detroit 3 automakers fall flat on their incompetent asses. They fought and fought against any initiative to improve their fleet MPG standards and killed the electric car, thus actively pursuing their own suicide. Fire the entire management team and retrain the workers to build green products.
19) Kevin:
Different time brotha…the dollar was also a hell of a lot stronger against other currencies at the time…I think that there has to be a huge shift in the workforce, maybe green, maybe something else, but until we as a nation find a way to do this at a cost that makes sense, oil will be around for quite some time. Analysts predict that Saudi’s and other Middle Eastern oil companies will not be able to keep up with demand when production ramps up and the economy starts to turn. That being said, there is a good chance that domestic production in already existing oil fields is where there is money to be made in the next 3-7 years. I know it is shitty now, but China’s demand for oil is growing and we may be supplying the little Jungs of the world….sorry, that is not fair b/c my Korean brother is not here to defend…low blow.
Short end of this, domestic oil companies Valero, Kimball Morgan, and Denbury are all trading relatively low, and should bounce back when oil comes around… I deducted all of this from a recent article I read, so I am not that good, I am just regurgitating what I took from it.
20) Article on reforming the auto industry:
http://sethgodin.typepad.com/
21) Buki:
The environment has become a lot hotter since I last checked in. Kev, I had no idea you had sold your soul already. It's sad to see one go so young, so very young. But, it's good to get some opposing views in the mix.
As for a living wage, we will never pull the impoverished up to even lower middle-class status if we cling to a minimum wage that can't come close to covering basic necessities. If we can't do this we will never get urban ghettos, crime, etc under control. I think we all can agree reducing these aspects of our society is good for everyone, rich and poor alike. Economically, if we pay more we can expect more from our workers. This will make our industries, manufacturing and service, more efficient and productive.
This ideology of trickle-down economics, or "voodoo economics," is just redistribution of wealth from bottom to top. The fact is the feds give tax-breaks to corporations and leave loop-holes for the wealthy allowing them to pay lower taxes than the vast majority of Americans. Face it, the rich are rich largely because of their workers and their consumers. They are rich because of society. Of course I am in no way discounting drive and talent. I think the spirit of entrepreneurship and competition is essential to our economic system, but I think the followers should benefit along with the leaders.
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