Moral imperatives aside, exactly what will it take to bring society to a clean energy system? Venkatesh Rao in the Atlantic Monthly argues that only a “World War II” scale effort will suffice, but goes on to point out that war was won by many faceless bureaucrats who carried out wise policy. If there is no single technology or super-human leader to guide us, can we trust ‘the gu’mint’ to do the right thing? 

The reading list:

• The moral question
• Do we need a "technocratic revolution?"
• MIT won't divest.
• Can MIT work with Big OIl?
• Sheldon Whitehouse on Exxon
• Among other things, Exxon stressed scientific uncertainties
• Exxon is proud to work with MIT!

Because we recognize the necessity of personal accountability for our actions, because we accept responsibility for building a durable future and because we believe it is our patriotic duty as citizens to speak out, we must insist that the United States put a price on carbon.

Thanks for listening.

…Ted McIntyre