I was reading an
interview of GE CEO Jeff Immelt today in
Canadian Business magazine. One of the topics discussed was global warming. This particular topic was covered briefly:
Quote:
Are you optimistic about the energy future and the carbon equation?
I am, really. But here’s what I don’t know. We’ve studied the science. Both myself and my team have convinced ourselves that global warming is a technical fact, and it’s created by man. The science about whether an 80% reduction by 2050 or targets like that, how big a difference it makes — that’s very hard. It’s very complex linear programming models. Really hard. If you ask, is that amount of reduction possible? I think it could be. And it will stimulate a ton of innovation. And therefore it’s worth going for.
Six months from now, if you really said, Holy shit, I’ve gotta hit this goal, then we would start having a meaningful discussion about nuclear power. I mean, right now we’re having these crazy, stupid — like, I talk about nuclear power, and I say it’s like going to the Super Bowl and the teams never leave the locker room. All the fans are in the stadium, all the referees are out on the field, the teams are dressed, they’re in the locker room — and they never leave.
I think what [tackling global warming] will force in energy is the renaissance of technology. The only thing I can really compare it to in my lifetime is sulphur dioxide, which was reduced by 90%–95% in the span of 10 years. Now this is bigger, broader, it’s got a lot ofother issues. But electric vehicles, nuclear power, renewable energy — these activities will never really take place without a price for carbon and a target for reduction. Ever.
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I thought it interesting that the CEO of one of the biggest companies in the world (and a Republican to boot) would be on board with carbon reduction so matter-of-factly. Now I understand that GE has an interest in energy and might be in a position to make lots of money with the changing times...but still. Interesting.
What's also interesting is that he is admitting to the reality of increasing government regulation as a fallout condition of the economy. He wasn't railing against it. Instead, he was expressing how he is prepared to take business to that level: one that needs to work with government on more than one level—despite not being entirely happy about it. This coming from a Republican.
Maybe this man should run for president. He could at least help rebuild the party, no?