Introduction - Beyond Smoke and Mirrors - page 6

There is no single technology that will solve all of our
problems. We will have to proceed on many fronts sim-
ultaneously, starting with what we have in our technology
arsenal now. All the options are reviewed, including
capturing and storing away emissions from fossil fuels;
ef ciency; nuclear power; and all of those energy systems

called the Renewables. Some are ready for the big time
now, others need further development. All revolutionary
technologies start in the laboratory, and we are also not
investing enough in the development of the technologies
of the future.
Energy supply is the area where one finds most of the

senseless and self-serving calls to action. For example, it is
not within the bounds of reality to eliminate all the fossil
fuels from our electricity supply in the next

years. This
one is senseless. Further, increasing the amount of corn-
based ethanol in our gasoline does almost nothing to
decrease emissions when emissions in ethanol production
are included. This one is self-serving.
Part II concludes with an admittedly opinionated
summary of the promise and the problems of various
technologies (there are lots of both), as well as my per-
sonal scorecard showing winners, losers, and options for
which the verdict is not yet in.
Part III concerns policy options. There are two dimen-
sions that need discussion: what to do on a national or
regional scale, and what to do on a world scale. I believe
the best policies in market economies are those that allow
the private sector to make the most pro ts by doing the

right things rather than the wrong things. There is always
a huge amount of brain power devoted to making money
and it can and should be tapped. I call this

“ tilting the