The following is from the Sierra Club site as a cure for global warming. What do they mean by "by investing"

Question

The science is clear. We must act now to reduce the heat-trapping gases that cause global warming. "BY INVESTING" in clean, renewable energy sources, fuel-efficient transportation, and energy efficient technology, we can reduce our emissions 2 percent per year through 2050 as called for by leading scientists. States and local governments are already moving forward. It is time for Congress to act.

I'm only interested in a translation in what their version of "investing", not the global warming debate.

Answer 1

It is a catch phrase they made up to cover the huge spending that would have to occur to carry out their cockamamie plans. These people are tree huggers. They are not rational.

Answer 2

"investing" means putting capital in to create plants and factories. Wide-spread use of hybrid vehicles, for example, means either new assembly plants or a substantial retooling of existing plants. Toyota, for example, might raise the money to do this by selling bonds or stocks. The people who buy the bonds (or stock) are investing, literally, in the company.

If Exxon needs to build another offshore rig, they might finance it by selling bonds or stocks.

Look at this way. The institutions and people with money are going to be investing in something. Sierra Club says it would be better to invest in clean, renewable energy, etc., than the same old dirty stuff.

Answer 3

Spending public funds on research and subsidies to encourage the development, production, and marketing of the technologies mentioned.

'Investing' is not a bad metaphor - the government puts in public funds, and, later, the public reaps a reward, just in clean air or stable global temperatures or whatever, instead of in actual money. Of course, like all investments, there is risk involved...

Answer 4

I'm not so concerned with the term, 'investing'. What I'm trying to figure out is this 2% per year statement, "...we can reduce our emissions 2 percent per year through 2050..."

Right now using simple math our emissions' are equal to 100%. Next year ('08) they want in to be 98% of today's emission. Then for '09, 96% of today's emissions - 2010, 94% of today's emissions'. Then finally in 2050 our emissions' out-put will be just 14% of today's out-put?

Answer 5

I assume they mean that capital should be invested in research and development of clean renewable energy sources.

Answer 6

They mean putting government money into research, development, and implementation of these technologies.

There are several ways to get the money - raise taxes on gasoline or oil companies is just one option.

Answer 7

The 'science' has become confused w. faith and belief in a view that will be used to exploit, the reality is anything but clear.
By investing they mean spending money, from which someone will profit at many stages including the sale of the 'concept' stage, which they are in on.

Answer 8

They are suggesting that buying green products and services will cure global warming. I don't believe they are trying to imply any sort of financial gain.

Answer 9

My guess is that, if they're talking about Congress, they mean a reallocation of funds, perhaps from the D.O.D. or the oil industry into solar, wind, hydroelectric...etc.

Answer 10

Investing = "putting money into".'

Their take is that we need to fund research into alternative energy sources.

Answer 11

Placing time, effort and yes, money into the options.