Energy Revolution Coming, Author Says In Ypsilanti ANN ARBOR, MI (Michigan Radio) - Pulitzer-prize winning columnist Thomas Friedman spoke about his new book in Ypsilanti on Wednesday. The best-seller is called Hot, Flat, and Crowded: Why We Need a Green Revolution - and How it Can Renew America.

Friedman says humans face perhaps their greatest intellectual challenge in the next few years. The world's population will explode from 6.2 billion to 9.2 billion in a short time. That will put increasing pressure on scarce energy resources. And climate change and the rise of the high-consuming middle class around the world will do the same.

Friedman says the next industrial revolution will be led by those who create new, cheap, clean and abundant sources of energy.

"This is the next great global industry," he said. "I know that as sure as I know I'm in Michigan. What I don't know is Michigan gonna lead this, is Minnesota,is America? or is Japan or India or China? It's still up for grabs."

Friedman says the country that develops the energy of the future will be the most secure, affluent and politically stable in the world. Friedman says America can and should be that country, but it won't happen without radical new leadership in Washington.

"Washington is brain dead right now!" he exclaimed, making his point further by mimicking a life support machine flatlining. "B-e-e-e-e-e-e-p!"

Friedman says the political system in the country is paralyzed by politicians' need to raise money and attend to a non-stop presidential campaign cycle. He says that prevents them from solving multi-generational problems such as Social Security, health care, and energy.

Friedman was asked after his talk what he would do if he were in charge of Michigan.

He said he'd make sure Michigan adopted the highest Renewable Portfolio Standard in the nation. An RPS sets a goal of a certain percentage of a state's electricity coming from renewables like wind and solar by a certain year.

Many states have adopted RPS's of 12 to 20 percent. Friedman says Michigan could lead the energy revolution by setting a goal of 30-percent electricity from renewable sources by 2020, and fifty percent by 2050.

The state legislature is currently debating a ten-percent goal.

Friedman says he would also ask Michigan's congressional delegation in Washington to stop getting in the way of a serious fuel economy standard for cars and trucks.

Friedman made fun of voters who are chanting "drill, baby, drill" in response to a call at rallies for John McCain to open up more off-shore drilling for oil. He said that's not a serious response to the energy crisis. Friedman said he'd make Michigan's motto, "innovate, baby, innovate."


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