Investments in Carbon-free Energy Sources

Few things are debated any more than the fact that there's need to reduce world dependence on fossil fuels. The reasons range from the strategic to the environmental ones but the quest for cleaner fuels is on. Elisabeth Rosenthal of the NYT and reminded me of that point poignantly in addition to disabusing me of the view that the countries of the Middle east would be surprised by a switch.

As the story states, the Persian Gulf country of the UAE is dedicating significant finances to research for alternative methods of energy generation. It is clear that the approach is well-though out because these countries have decided to develop research partnerships by buying some of the best brains in the area. Should some of these be successful, then the Persian Gulf countries may still hold significant power in the provision of alternative energy. However, it is not by coincidence that the United Arab Emirates and Qatar are at the forefront of this initiative because they are those very countries whose oil reserves have been depleted the fastest.

Whether petroleum is replaced as quickly as is desired or not, it is clear that the search for cleaner fuels is on. As this approach shows, the researchers are looking beyond automobiles and gadgets and focusing on city level energy demand. On a per capita basis, it appears that these Persian Gulf nations are investing more in finding alternative fuel sources that are not as carbon intense.