A New Energy Direction: Bold Local Solutions to a Global Problem
A Blueprint for Santa Barbara County

From the Introduction:
"Fossil fuels have played a pivotal role in the evolution of modern society – but are also the root cause of many of the most dire problems we face. Without the revolutionary development of technologies that run on fossil fuels, we would very likely still be living in an agricultural economy, with none of the benefits that we enjoy today in terms of transportation, medical advancements, sanitation, entertainment and other improvements to our lifestyle.

But a century of burning fossil fuels has taken its toll, and we can no longer rely on the fossilized energy found in oil, coal and gas to meet our needs. As with all technological advancements, if we are to enjoy their benefits we must also take responsibility for their use. The last decade has provided us with ample information that continued reliance on fossil fuels has very serious implications for our health, our economy, our national security, and the health of the natural systems on which we rely...

...We are already witnessing a massive national and global effort to bring new technologies on line to replace fossil fuels – such as wind, solar, geothermal, biomass, and wave power. All of these industries promise huge economic benefits for those seeking opportunities. As we transition from a high-carbon
economy to a low-carbon economy, the fossil fuel industries (oil, coal and natural gas companies) will certainly suffer, though they will continue to enjoy an economic bonanza for a number of years to come as commodity prices continue to rise.

However, if peak oil does arrive within the next decade, it is very likely that low-carbon industries will be the long-term winners. And with governments around the world awakening to the threats of climate change and energy dependence, the cost of doing business for the traditional fossil fuel industries will certainly rise
further as greenhouse gas emissions caps and carbon taxes are implemented...

We’ve completed an economic analysis for our county, finding, as mentioned above that our county as a whole will save over $1.5 billion each year by 2030 in a fossil free future. By 2020, our county will save $418 million each year – equivalent to $830 per person each year. It’s clear, then, that there is a good case for switching to energy efficiency and renewable energy in our county based on economics alone, regardless of the many environmental and security benefits that will also accrue."
- Community Environmental Council, A New Energy Direction