Warming Wednesdays: When new technologies mature

An encouraging article about a report on increasing global production of renewable energy in USA Today points out a fact that should have been obvious to me, but which served as a good reminder of what it looks like whenever a new technology is emerging.

The report's authors said the demise of companies such as Solyndra, Evergreen Solar, SpectraWatt, Solar Millenium and Solon was a sign that the solar industry is maturing.

"In 1903, the United States had over 500 car companies, most of which quickly fell by the wayside even as the automobile sector grew into an industrial juggernaut," the report said. "Today, the renewable energy sector is experiencing similar growing pains as the sector consolidates."

Of course. I grew up very aware of the demise of those early auto companies. This building was just blocks from my house and Buffalonians often mentioned the lamented Pierce-Arrow.


No cause for complacency, but perhaps the move to less destructive energy is another transition we can accomplish. We have to.

Despite every other legitimate concern, we cannot ignore that our economic and social system is rapidly making the planet less habitable. So I will be posting "Warming Wednesdays" -- unpleasant reminders of an inconvenient truth.