DISQUS

ZF · 3 years ago

Daughter: "Dad, I think I'm upset over this trendy issue I know next to nothing about!"

Dad: "Well I've been looking for something we could get upset about together without having to actually learn anything about it, especially an issue where we can appear to be virtuous just by criticizing how the other 99% of the population live who have less money than we do. This is perfect! I'll just blog about it, maybe send a check for 0.00000001% of our net worth to the Sierra Club, and then we're pretty much done."

Bryan Quinn · 3 years ago

I graduated from college last May and can tell you that the next generation isn't scared, and defiantly isn't angry. I could spend an hour giving you a nice overview of what most 18-25 years old think, and why global warming isn't on their radar, but I won't. To save everyone time I will point to one fact that proves young people don't care right now. 18-25 year old voter turnout. The simple fact is young people don't care about these issues. Every 4 years MTV and others spend millions trying to Rock the Vote, but it never works.

This November is a crucial election for our country with Congress truly being up for grabs. I'm willing to bet that not even 1/3 of 18-25 years old will vote.

I'm sure your daughter is concerned, but I can tell you with certainty that she is in the extreme minority.

There is a plus to this though. I think that as people get older they begin to take more and more of interest in the issues of today and tomorrow. This is why senior citizens year after year have the highest voter turnout.

I agree with many of your points, but one thing is true:
The next generation does not insist anything

-Bryan

Ann Onimus · 3 years ago

Daughter: "Dad, in the 70's scientists told me global cooling heralded the onset of another ice age. In the 80's acid rain was going to wipe out humankind. In the 90's the hole in the ozone was going to cook us all. Now Global warming, despite lacking definitive scientific proof sure looks like a great way to get some legislation passed that will help you make a mint on your green investments. I say jump on the global warming bandwagon. Hell people will never remember those other eco-scares. And who cares if it cripples our economy, you'll be rich!"

Ann Onimus · 3 years ago

"Oh and dad, if you look at the impact of outlawing DDT (1 million deaths a year), it just goes to show you that scientific facts and actual results are not important, it's all about emotion. So please use me as a marketing tool to sell your personal agenda, who cares about the economic impact."

Ben Casnocha · 3 years ago

I tend to agree with the earlier commenter that global warming is not top of mind for my generation.

Chris Gilbey · 3 years ago

It really doesn't matter whether the younger generation are aware of this topic or not. What does matter is that someone with the will and the means to make a difference - and I mean John Doerr - is going to start.

Visionary VC involvement in making money from creating solutions is about the only thing that will make any difference. Let's face it, all of the people in government will never do anything until it is too late. They are more interested in rallying to the flag for the rhetorical 'war on terror'.

Wing Yu · 3 years ago

Wow, I thought she was referring to 9/11.

Scary ignorance · 3 years ago

As a European citizen I've seen the benefits of cleanteach at first hand. I remember the black smoke boiling out of factories in Eastern Europe some fifteen years ago, fish dying in the Baltic sea because of farming pesticides. Well, people here wanted change and with tougher legislation things have turned around. We can swim in the waters of Stockholm, hey! even drik it if we're thirsty! Are we poorer for it? No, we're now exporting clean tech to other countries. Denmark has some 10-20% of its energy coming from wind power! So don't think that the world will end because tougher legislation is implemented. Remember that california was instrumental in bringing about catalyctic cleaning in cars in the 80's, who wants to go back to being without them? Is the US car industry in trouble because your cars consume so little fuel? Why is everyone driving Toyotas? No matter what, we all vote with our wallets and gas is expensive these days.

sin ick · 3 years ago

I figured she was scared and angry because Paris Hilton got arrested for drunk driving the other day and she thinks that could happen to her too one day even if she is filthy rich. Scary stuff!

STB · 3 years ago

The "go green!" sentiment in this contribution from Mr. Doerr, while admirable, reminds me of the ridiculous "say no to drugs!" campaigns of my childhhood. Declaring that a situation should be rectified is simple, but making the solution palatable for the primary actors in the situation (comfortable, wealthy westerners) is far more challenging.

Americans SHOULD be at the forefront of the greening movement, and American institutional investors should be leading the charge, given our propensity to consume in excess without worrying about the consequences. But this will not make us 'leaders' in greentech until the rubber hits the road and we start seeing results.

How about let's focus on parts of the world in which green efforts have a real chance of changing behavior, like China (my current domicile), where people are finally being taught how to really screw up the environment on an industrial scale, after generations of basically squeaking through the perennially intense population pressure without really doing too much damage.

@Scary Ignorance: I truly respect the European groundswell of green technology adoption and support for conservation, etc. But you have to admit that it's far simpler to produce 10-20% of energy needs through clean sources when your entire country's population is the size of, say, New York City! And I love Sweden, but why has the country's GDP fallen so steadily in spite of this green "miracle," if that is actually the case?

Brad Stewart · 3 years ago

I'm 26 and from the people I know in their 20's the environment and global warming is very much at the top of our minds. Of course it's relative and slightly biased as i live in a pretty popular destination ski town. ;)

Regardless, like Chris Gilbey said, the important thing about this is that people are finally starting to do something tangible.

Thomas McAndrew · 3 years ago

The nubmers are really not that hard:

- The US, EU and Japan comprise 14% of the worlds population and use 50% of its energy.
- >80% of GHG emmissions come from fossil fuel combustion for stationary and mobile energy.
- The global middle class could easily double in the next 20 years.

Even if we were ok today, with current per capita energy consumption rates, we won't be tommorrow.

Ecosrights · 3 years ago

I find that a number of responses to this article are very blinkered and unfortunately typical of what many of us here in the UK think of the American attitude towards the environment. There is no question about the fact that lifestyles now - with fuel guzzling cars, lots of electronic equipment in the home and office, jetting all over the world on holiday etc - are having a significant impact on the rate at which the world climate is changing. On top of that we are running out of many of the natural resources we have become dependant upon - gas, coal etc - to such and extent that we HAVE to find alternatives and use them. We can't replace these resources quick enough.

The world's climate has changed a lot over the years, but in the past it has been natural and ecosystems have evolved to cope with it - this time we are forcing the change to take place much quicker preventing natural habitats from adapting, so we need to slow things back down to a more natural pace.

Kai · 3 years ago

A bit late - I would say - trying to sell California and VCs as a visionary in greentech. I live in Germany and we (and other European Countries) have seen a huge increase in Greentech in the last 10-12 years. Dozens of IPOs, solartech, wind and water energy, alternative fuel and more havelong become established. I have more than a dozen proposals and Businessplans on my desk, mostly with years and years of research on the projects and in later stages.
To anyone who wants to invest into cleantech and greentech: For once, Europe is far ahead of California (not talking about all of the US). If I was a US VC, I would quickly go and see what the others do, besides Brasil!

Josh Watts · 3 years ago

Ahh.. typical teen angst. Our generation didn't create this problem - we inherited it from the previous generation who inherited it from the previous generation and on and on. It's also debatable whether the problem actually exists.

California's recent legislation is merely the latest act of politicians tilting at windmills. Budget deficits, poor public education, terrible social services - apparently these very real problems affecting very real people and a very real economy are best left alone so the California legislature can tackle global warming and the perceived effects that may or may not occur.

Also, Mr. Doerr will probably help to lower carbon emissions more than any politician ever could by funding innovative energy companies looking to find cheap, renewable, and low-carbon energy sources. The marketplace will find a solution to this problem as it has most others because there is an economic incentive to solve it. While 80% of the American public may support efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions, I doubt that 80% of the American public are making economic decisions to implement their desires to lower greenhouse gas emissions. Asking government to take the lead on this is intellectually lazy and if the past is any guide, it will provide a tepid response that will actually accomplish nothing.

Typical American · 3 years ago

On Germany’s progressiveness, see today’s WSJ for an article on the “windfall costs” suffered by industry there.

If sanctimonious drivel could save the planet we’d be rescued by Californians.

The fact that the left has fallen well short of proving their case for man-made global warming is demonstrated by the fact that they simply won’t tolerate debate. A recent special edition of Scientific America devoted to climate change proclaimed “the debate on global warming is over.” (http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?chanID=sa006&a...). What a great technique for “winning” a “debate.”

As noted by another poster, 30 years ago the fear was global cooling. At that time, people were able to take the same cyclicality in global temperatures (http://www.sciencemag.org/content/vol293/issue5...) and extrapolate them into a problem politicians have to fix. Today it’s more frequent and severe hurricanes. Then it was more frequent and deadly tornadoes (http://denisdutton.com/cooling_world.htm).

The most famous article (Newsweek’s) didn’t actually make a direct link to human activity, but Time did the year earlier: “Man, too, may be somewhat responsible for the cooling trend. The University of Wisconsin's Reid A. Bryson and other climatologists suggest that dust and other particles released into the atmosphere as a result of farming and fuel burning may be blocking more and more sunlight from reaching and heating the surface of the earth.” (http://time-proxy.yaga.com/time/archive/printou...)

“The longer the planners delay, the more difficult will they find it to cope with climatic change once the results become grim reality.” Yes, that’s from 1975 in reference to cooling, but it sounds no different than what global warming proponents say today.

I’m sure many, including Mr. Doerr, are well-meaning in their passion for this issue. The risk is that these well intentioned citizens because useful idiots for a group of people whose higher purpose is curtailing global capitalism.

steve · 3 years ago

Mr. Doerr, would you support...?

* $100/hour federal "alternative energy initiative" tax on private jet usage

* $2/square foot/year same tax on private residences larger than, say, 3000 square feet

* $5/square foot/year same tax on private second (not primary) residences

* $10/hour same tax on car service and limo usage

* $100/fare same tax on business and first class air travel

* $1000/year same tax on any household/family with more cars than licensed drivers

* $1000/foot/year same tax on recreational (non-commercial) boats larger than say, 20 feet length

etc...

I applaud efforts like Mr. Doerr's, but a few simple "consumption" taxes on the lifestyles of the truly affluent would not only fund a Manhattan project seaach for efficient non-carbon energy sources, but also convince the average American that folks like Mr. Doerr aren't hypocrites.

Ross · 3 years ago

Why do the naysayers have to even bother with the flame postings... go waste our time elsewhere.

There is major work to be done in this world to clean up the negative effects that we've been inflicting on this world from the time of the industrial revolution forward.
The good thing is that, unhindered, progress and new technologies will bring us the solutions we need.
Mr. Doerr, keep up the good work. I'm glad that yourself and others like Mr. Kosla are taking a lead in making SV the new Green Valley .

And yes, Germany and Japan have pulled ahead of the US in adoption of clean technologies, but that is not a reason for us to not be doing it stateside as well. American innovation can accomplish this.

It's truly a blessing that we're living in this time, where we have so much possibility to create a positive impact on this planet. Smile, think openly, and share ideas for growth.

-R

Ann Onimus · 3 years ago

Ross, naysayers go elsewhere? Is that how you discuss an issue, by dismissing anyone with a different opinion? Cool. Islamic militants GO ELSEWHERE! This whole thing is a way of taxing fuel to make greentech look more efficient. If you can't compete on a level playing field, tilt the playing field. And what better way than through taxing the competition. That is weak. Make Greentech cost-effective, how about that? Hey, why not go nuclear like France? It sure cuts down on grenhouse gases.

James Ross · 3 years ago

Clearly, Doerr fabricated this statement of his daughter...to further his own agenda and use 'green' to clear his name from the Internet=largest-wealth-creation thing. I guess in terms of fabrication, he's learned a thing from his limited partner Colin Powell. I would prefer a new generation to pick up on these environmental issues.

John · 3 years ago

who will believe the madeup stories of his daughter :-) VC intentions of hyping of alternate energy seems to be very coordinated. Vindo Khosla is also doing his part in creating the hype... seems like they realized that cannot now get the 20x returns from their tech investments so trying to create hype around clean tech, i am sure someof them will be really rich if these hype succeeds

Matt Marshall · 3 years ago

Folks, I'm a little dismayed at these comments. It's a little much to assume John made up this quote. I mean, come on, think about it -- he has to live with his daughter. Also, how do you know she knows next to nothing about all this? Constructive debate will get us a lot further ahead...

Kyle Shank · 3 years ago

This thread is pretty ridiculous. I love how the internet turns adults into 5 year olds.

I'm 21 and this age group definitely cares about global warming.

Peter Midwin · 3 years ago

I salute Mr. Doerr for taking the lead and investing in alternative fuel companies. Sure, we live in a capitalistic society and he stands to profit from his investments. So what? At least he is doing something about this growing problem.

KC · 3 years ago

All I say is, go see Al Gore's movie "An Inconvenient Truth" and then see how you really feel about global warming.

Retief · 3 years ago

Ann Onimus, Acid rain is not an example that supports your scepticism. Acid rain is not disolving our hats right now because regulations of the emmissions of the chemicals that cause acid rain caused those emmissions to decline. This history makes pretty much the opposite of the point you're pushing.

Michael Short · 3 years ago

Global warming and climate change is not passing issue-of-the-month and I can assure Ms. Doerr that there are some extraordinarily talented and dedicated people around the world working very hard on the issue. Remember Acid Rain and the hole in the ozone layer? The reason that it is not now in the public consciousness is that other committed people took steps about 15 years ago to find a solution. As a result, there has been a significant reduction in sulfur dioxide emissions on the East Coast harmful emissions and after a successful international treaty banning the manufacture and use of certain chemicals, we now have an ozone layer that is healing itself. It proves that we can together effect global change.

The young Ms. Doerr does ask exactly the right question, “What are you going to do to fix it?”

Well, right now, thousands of scientists from a wide range of disciplines backed up by some of the world’s most powerful computers are gathering evidence, keeping their collective fingers on the pulse of our ailing planet, developing refined predictions, and defining possible solutions. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which represents an extraordinary successful international collaborative effort, is ensuring that the best minds we have in the world are working on the problem.

On the policy side, California’s bipartisan Global Warning Solutions Act, the Chicago Climate Exchange, the Carbon Disclosure Project, and the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiate are all first steps in the right direction. On the International scale, we have the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and several United Nations agencies working in collaboration to insure that developing countries, such as China, India, and Brazil, have access to the latest low-emission technologies. We now have carbon emissions allowances being regularly traded in Europe-wide program.

More and more state environmental agencies also are examining the problems of global warming and beginning to develop public education programs and policy initiatives. You may think that progress is a bit slow right now, but more and more people are paying attention and getting involved. Eventually, we will also see a much stronger role for the Federal Government.

There has also been an ever larger number on not-for-profit agencies, such as the one I work for, the Clean Air Conservancy, that are getting actively involved in the policy debate, providing technical and guidance to decision-makers in business and government, providing resources to the public, and getting the issue of global warming into our schools.

Please let Ms. Doerr know that we are working on it, but I also think we need to ask everyone that question just one more time, “What are YOU doing to fix it?” Despite all the good work of a great many people, we know that the only real way to halt the destructive progress of climate change is for each of us to change the way we live. It doesn’t require big changes or sacrifices, but we all need to be smarter and more concerned consumers. And in our every day lives and in everything we do, we need make personal choices that are more “climate-friendly”.

In the next few years, we will see a rapid spread of market-based “cap-and-trade” incentives that will fuel an explosion of “climate friendly” technologies. There will also be an ever growing number of businesses, including some of the world’s largest, that will be committed to reducing greenhouse gases by changing their products and the way they do business. This is already beginning to happen. To take direct action, you can now get directly involved in the emerging markets in greenhouse gas emission reduction credits. By buying and permanently “retiring” some of these emission credits, you can actually make permanent reductions in greenhouse gases, reward those that are committed to reducing their emissions, and make those that do not reduce eventually pay more.

Michael Short
Program Director
The Clean Air Conservancy

A VC Consultant and Hypocrite · 2 years ago

The problem is that Mr. Doerr is an obsequious hypocrite in this subject. Note how the many responses above include a good number of environmentally concerned minds who condemn Doerr while others rush to defend "his efforts".

This is, interestingly, why "corporate social responsibility" and "socially responsible investing" do not work.

It amazes me, no it saddens me, that we are forever trying to reinvent some system to circumvent democratic governance instead of fixing the system democratic system itself.

A question to you who stand and redden your palms at the late-life boomer-guilt doerrs of the world: "Do you really want to see a technocratic society where the rich and powerful set all social policy?" I know, the cynically uninformed knee jerk reaction is "we already have that system today". No. If you thought this you are at best ignorant. We have a democratic system that isn't working because people aren't participating.

Global warming, along with any and all other environmental, human rights, quality of life, fairness of labor, worker safety and discrimination issues can _only_ be solved by GOVERNMENT, not by a bunch of "gee I feel guilty now that I'm too rich" baby boomers.

Or you can all just run around with this polyannish theater. It is, at least, entertaining (like German Opera).

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