The Economist is holding a debate in the style of the Oxford Union debating society (which I never joined while there due to the excessive cost). The topic is: “We can solve our energy problems with existing technologies today, without the need for breakthrough innovations.” This certainly seems to be the emerging wisdom among those who have looked seriously and comprehensively at the problems of energy and climate change. That’s not to say that technological improvements in things like batteries and photovoltaic cells would be useful, it is simply to assert that ‘breakthrough’ new technologies are not required, though they may well help.
The debate should be an interesting one to observe. The opening statements are from Joseph Romm - whose book I discussed earlier - and Peter Meisen.
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The Proposition’s rebuttal statement
The Moderator’s rebuttal statement
The Opposition’s rebuttal statement
The Proposition’s closing statement
The Moderator’s winner announcement
The Opposition’s closing statement