As firecrackers go off with a staccato burst of sound, and aerial fireworks explode with a cascading shower of color, it is not hard to imagine the early celebrations which marked the successful conclusion to our War of Independence. These celebrations also marked the end of a King’s devastating colonial rule and his ruinous taxation policies. In its place, a promising future was at hand. Everywhere were great expanses of land, timber and minerals, just waiting to be claimed.

 

Today, some 200 years later, we find ourselves in the midst of another conflict. The issues are multiple. Overseas our military is engaged in a war against ideals contrary to our own. At home we are faced with economic uncertainty brought on by an adverse combination of financial and market forces. And our future is challenged by diminishing sources of affordable energy. Again the conflict has multiple fronts – oil, coal, natural gas, and nuclear (representing fossil and traditional fuels) and wind, solar, biomass, tidal and geothermal (representing renewable sources).  The wild card is Climate Change and its impact on everything around us. What should we do???

 

In a changing world, each of these conflicts is another challenge to our independence. Our military can only assure our independence when the nations we are supporting can establish a respectful independence of their own. Our “Free Markets” (financial and economic) must respect the values of the society they serve, and function independently of irresponsible monetary gain. And our future energy sources must have a benign impact on our environment, and remain independent of vested interests with their significant financial influence. Again we are at a turning point. A promising future may very well be at hand. The choices we make today are the very cornerstone of that future.

 

In the weeks and months ahead we will explore the claims, issues, promises and problems with all our energy options. Regardless of the source, the real question is: “How well do these energy sources play out against Climate Change?”

 

In the midst of all this is the significance of Green Building – why do it, what can it accomplish, where is it headed??? For that matter, how will these scenarios play out against our traditional Real Estate market??? Will this market need to adapt to a changing field as well. Stay tuned. It is an evolving and exciting story.