Another Epidemic of Poverty

Liberalization of India's energy sector remains unfinished. Energy policy reforms that began 20 years ago have helped to move the country away from a predominantly government-owned energy sector. Yet political complexity and a tradition of socialist economic practices have left the sector unable to complete the transition, nor provide reliable access to its entire population. -International Energy Agency

An article in Der Spiegel earlier in the week points out the misguided energy polices in Germany ostensibly to save the planet even at the expense of its citizens. This urgency to stop man-made climate change (we used to call seasons) was sold as a greater good initiative that everyone should be proud to contribute toward.

Of course there were politicians that also sold "clean energy" as an economy strategy as well.

So much for that money-saving notion, and while it still rains, snows, and seasons change, even the idea that Earth is on its deathbed falls more and more on deaf ears these days. But in the process of reassessing policies rammed down the throats of western citizens, we need to be honest about how imperialistic it is to tell other nations not to use fossil fuels. 

Germany's aggressive and reckless expansion of wind and solar power has come with a hefty price tag for consumers, and the costs often fall disproportionately on the poor. Government advisors are calling for a completely new start. -Der Spiegel

News out of Germany points to the creation of energy poverty that makes electricity a luxury item. This is Germany, one of the preeminent economies on the planet. What about in emerging nations that need all the juice possible to compete and move out of dependency into prosperity? The West is trying to make the sales pitch that they'll kick in billions to make up for the lack of economic opportunities that come from not using the cheapest source of energy available. 

While America ponders another war that will hike the cost of crude oil, it should call off the war on fossil fuels. There will be a natural transition to alternative energy that will be smart and not make rich nations less wealthy while putting off prosperity for poor nations that have watched from the sidelines too long.