Coca-Cola has pledged a “gigaton-scale commitment” to phase out HFC refrigerants by 2015.Photo: The Coca-Cola companyIf there’s one thing Americans agree on in these divided times, it’s the urgent need to move toward cleaner energy. Polls taken as recently as November show a majority of Americans favoring comprehensive energy reform that limits pollution, develops domestic sources, and stimulates renewable power. We’re not likely to get comprehensive reform in the year ahead, but I still see strong paths toward a cleaner, more sustainable economy.
That’s because smart entrepreneurs are taking the lead. They see the “green” in green, and don’t want to miss out on the next big industrial revolution transforming the global economy.
Corporate cleantech innovations were, in fact, the buzz at the recent international climate treaty talks in Cancun, Mexico. At a side meeting for business leaders, Dow Chemical CEO Andrew Liveris announced that his company is reaping $50 billion in annual revenues from the sale of its cleantech products. Solar shingles, coatings for energy-saving “cool” roofs... Read more