Our per capita emission rates are higher than anywhere else on the planet. Until we show the world we're serious about the issues, nobody else is going to take much action either. More than 1,000 different firms in the Northwest are leaders in developing energy efficient technology. Replacing fossil fuels is going to be the growth industry of the next century and the Northwest is the most active area for such technological development in the North America. One of the leading developers in fuel cell technology resides in the Northwest.
Fuel cells are highly energy-efficient replacements for the internal combustion engine.
They can run on gas, or on fuels other than gas that pollute less. Several companies involved in the development and manufacture of solar energy products are also based in the Northwest. If we start moving in the right direction, we are going to see these companies benefiting in a big way. And even if nothing was wrong with the climate, reducing emissions and increasing energy efficiency is still a money-making venture for the region. When you use energy less wastefully, you cut back on bills while putting out less pollution.