Lining up for gas, 1979.
Time marches inexorably forward, but that is no excuse to ignore the lessons of history. America’s renewed interest in renewable or clean energy reminds us of the 1970s and especially the presidency of Jimmy Carter.
When Carter came to office one of his biggest challenges was the need to deal with the energy crisis. President Carter got actively involved in that issue. One of his first acts was to create the Department of Energy, which consisted mostly of previously existing federal agencies. A priority during the Carter years was to conserve energy, out of the necessity of the times, and to develop alternatives to oil. A drop in oil prices after Carter left office led to an increased American dependence on foreign oil and a decreased emphasis on energy alternatives.
Today, Nobel Prize winning scientist Steven Chu is leading the Energy Department. Most recently a Californian, Energy Secretary Chu’s agency is at the center of one of the most important issues of our day at a time that offers the possibility of a transformed national energy policy.
The current issue of The Atlantic Monthly has an article by Joshua Green that discusses in great detail the collapse of American efforts in clean energy including wind, solar, and other sources, since the late 1970s.
The piece is called “The Elusive Green Economy” and we strongly recommend it to you to deepen your understanding of the path we’ve been down in the last three decades. After all, the point of understanding history is to avoid repeating past mistakes.
Tags: Atlantic Monthly, Better Luck This Time, California, Conservation, Energy Department, green, Jimmy Carter, President Carter, San Diego, Steven Chu
Laura
I am glad you are involved with the Stand For less campaign. We do need your energy, knowledge and grassroots experience to make this happen in San Diego.
Thanks for everything you’ve done and do for our community
Ana