Erik … I just went back and spent two hours closely and slowly dissecting your TEDx talk a second time. Just from two charts you present, the 2011 World Energy use and he 2021 U.S. Energy use diagrams, I see that your idea is even more ridiculous … beyond the premise that carbon is the “enemy” and that institution of a prize for ridding the world OF it will save humanity or – at least – aviation. YOU need to sit down and study those charts closely.
The charts clearly show that the bulk of petroleum energy is used for transportation while the bulk of coal and natural gas energy is used to generate electricity. Together; solar, wind, nuclear, hydro, geothermal and biomass sources only provide 20% of total energy while the three 800 pound gorillas on those charts, coal, natural gas and petroleum provide 80%. SOMEHOW, you want the TED viewer or we Avweb readers to accept that both carbon is the enemy AND a private prize can hasten replacement of same. You propose that petroleum for transportation usage – 33% of the totals – can be replaced by electricity which – itself – relies on coal and natural gas for its source and for which the President vows to ‘kill.’ Newsome already proved that idea is nutty. What have you been smoking in your Yurt? Have you ever held a real job beyond rent-a-name? I respectfully suggest that you go back for a graduate degree in Silviculture so you can develop trees that grow electrons before you start trying to convince anyone that we don’t need carbon. Sorry to be so harsh – I said you’re well-intentioned – but now I’m convinced that you don’t know what you’re talking about; you just give slick presentations and your last name gets you in the doorways and into the limelight.