The end of “Left” vs. “Right” on Energy Independence vs. Energy Security

Yesterday’s Wall Street Journal carried an editorial by a far right pundit that could just as easily have come from someone on the far left of the political spectrum pointing out the absurdity of pursuing energy independence in a globally interdependent world. Today, on this first day of May, 2007, Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez finds time to add an exclamation point to the issue (as well as a sharp poke the in the eye of the U.S.) by claiming we should probably “take him out.”

A gallon of Biobutanol, anyone?

You remember biobutanol—the BP/Dupont joint venture biofuel that doesn’t require new engines or new distribution systems the way ethanol does. Can it replace oil completely? No. But it can contribute to greater energy security…

Ford Needs a Much Better Idea

Last week Ford appointed Susan Cischke its senior vice president for sustainability, environment and safety engineering. According to AP’s Tom Krisher:

“Cischke said that, with all the different technological possibilities, Ford has to figure out where the company should spend limited research dollars.

“All these new technologies do take resources,” she said. “These are all moving so fast that you’re just trying to figure how do you place your bets. And you only have so many chips,” she said.

“Some environmentalists say Ford hasn’t been a good steward and that Cischke’s appointment doesn’t do a lot to convince them that the company is changing.

“She has spent a lot of time in Washington opposing environmental solutions like cleaner, more fuel-efficient cars,” said Dan Becker, director of the Sierra Club’s global warming campaign.
He said Ford should spend more money marketing fuel-efficient vehicles, adding it instead spends its advertising dollars promoting sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks that make it the most profit.

“They market pickup trucks to people who want to haul lattes home from Starbucks, not just to farmers,” he said.

Ford will fall further behind Toyota Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co. if it doesn’t come up with more fuel-efficient vehicles quickly, Becker said.

(Get the rest of Kirsher’s story here.”

Being Green is making Green for More and More Companies

Speaking of Honda and Toyota—two companies that are pounding Ford in the marketplace—brand management company Landor Associates today released the results of its survey of the Top Ten Green Brands. Honda and Toyota both made the list—Ford didn’t.

Hmmm…

Landor also points out a huge shift occurring in the marketplace. Last year, 58% of consumers surveyed weren’t interested in being “green.” This year, 34% of respondents not only said being green was important to them in their buying decisions, but that they were even willing to pay more for green products.

Compact fluorescent light bulbs, anyone? Now there’s a really good idea…

As Ford and others are proving daily it’s markets that innovate, not companies. And on this first day of May, the indicators are all looking green on being green.