Just 100 months

Our Washington Clean Technology Alliance exists to promote a strong clean technology industry in the state. We have many businesses, research organizations and agencies that are focused on the opportunities that exist in building a stronger sustainable economy.

However- sometimes I wonder if we have sufficient sense of urgency about how much we can and need to do. We could be risking both our business opportunities and our quality of life.

A recent conservative estimate shows that in just 100 months we will be at the point of runaway climate change (www.onehundredmonths.org.uk). If we imagine for now that that is correct – how do we best respond in our business and personal lives?

Leadership in Clean Technology

What does leadership in Clean Technology look like? Some believe we are doing well in Washington – while others think we are missing opportunities.

Our strengths – a carbon-neutral utility (SCL), increasing attention to wind power, green building leadership, high quality research establishments, lots of activity in bio-fuels, high interest in clean technology from business and from many parts of our society.

Our challenges – perception that capital is not easy to find here and that incentives and the regulatory environment do not encourage new projects. Our (relatively) low-cost power does not encourage energy efficiency and our transmission network will need investment for smart applications.

So – how can we better measure how we are doing – and what should be our priority for attention?