Amory Lovins -- realist and optimist

Just listened to a very uplifting talk by Amory Lovins about the very near future, and how USA and the west generally will shut down its use of crude oil, make a more peaceful planet, and make safer, cheaper, more economical vehicles as a side-benefit.

What makes this such a wonderful talk is that Lovins is not just some theorist. He is engaged in practicalities. He has trained as a physicist, but he has been an activist for efficient use of technology, particularly energy, since the 70s. Instead of standing outside the mainstream he goes right to the source and showed Walmart how to save millions of dollars with more efficient trucks. He consults with the Pentagon on how to improve US security by eliminating dependence on oil. This guy is amazing! As almost a throwaway line he points out that nuclear power, by preventing the takeup of more effective systems, effectively contributes more carbon dioxide than it saves.

You are left with the breathtaking feeling that these changes are just around the corner and that they will be abrupt, like the advent of the internet was. He says don't bother waiting for government to do anything about it, because they are always the last to know.

Ending oil dependence (mp3 talk downloadable from here)
http://www.siconversations.org/shows/detail947.html

Using the profit motive to make the change to efficiency (mp3 talk downloadable from here)
http://www.siconversations.org/shows/detail1168.html

You can buy or download for free his book Winning the Oil Endgame
http://www.oilendgame.com/

He is head of the Rocky Mountain Institute
http://www.rmi.org/