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Report: U.S. energy policy a "serious threat" to economic, national security
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07/27/10 03:15 PM ET
The country’s energy policy – particularly on climate change – poses a “serious threat” to economic and national security, a new report finds, but one group says that threat can be turned into an opportunity.
The report, released Tuesday by the nonprofit research firm CNA, says the predicted effects of climate change “have the potential to disrupt our way of life” and “create sustained natural and humanitarian disasters on a scale far beyond those we see today.” That, in turn, will likely foster political instability both at home and abroad.
The result, the report argues: The country cannot afford business as usual when it comes to energy.
“The United States government should take bold and aggressive action to support clean energy technology innovation and significantly decrease the nation’s dependence on fossil fuels,” it says.
Given the integral link between economic and national security interests, the Department of Defense is “uniquely positioned” to lead the way in clean energy technology, it says.
According to its authors, an advisory board of 15 top-ranking admirals and generals, the U.S. must be a leader in the race to develop clean energy technology, or it will be forced to remain dependent on foreign nations for its energy needs.
Just as China, Spain, Germany and the United Arab Emirates have made substantial progress in clean-energy technology, the U.S can take advantages of the economic opportunities that clean technology presents, the report says.
“While the United States cannot compete with many nations in low-cost manufacturing, it can lead in the realm of developing cutting edge technologies and innovation in research and development,” it notes.
The report suggests the Defense Department can become a leader because of its size and extensive experience in technological innovation.
“Numerous widely adopted technologies, including the jet engine, gas turbines, solid-state electronics, and the Internet were pioneered by the United States military,” the report noted.
The report, released Tuesday by the nonprofit research firm CNA, says the predicted effects of climate change “have the potential to disrupt our way of life” and “create sustained natural and humanitarian disasters on a scale far beyond those we see today.” That, in turn, will likely foster political instability both at home and abroad.
The result, the report argues: The country cannot afford business as usual when it comes to energy.
“The United States government should take bold and aggressive action to support clean energy technology innovation and significantly decrease the nation’s dependence on fossil fuels,” it says.
Given the integral link between economic and national security interests, the Department of Defense is “uniquely positioned” to lead the way in clean energy technology, it says.
Just as China, Spain, Germany and the United Arab Emirates have made substantial progress in clean-energy technology, the U.S can take advantages of the economic opportunities that clean technology presents, the report says.
“While the United States cannot compete with many nations in low-cost manufacturing, it can lead in the realm of developing cutting edge technologies and innovation in research and development,” it notes.
The report suggests the Defense Department can become a leader because of its size and extensive experience in technological innovation.
“Numerous widely adopted technologies, including the jet engine, gas turbines, solid-state electronics, and the Internet were pioneered by the United States military,” the report noted.
