Interview with Dr. Woodrow Clark II

In this awesome first edition of “Science is Speaking!”, I interview the ambitious and inspirational Dr. Woodrow Clark II about sustainable energy, politics and what we need to do to put America back on the right track.

Dr. Clark earned three separate masters degrees from different universities and his Ph.D. at University of California, Berkeley. He was Senior Advisor on Renewable Energy, Emerging Technologies, and Finance to California Governor Gray Davis from 2000 to 2003. In 2007, Clark was a co-recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize due to his co-authorship and co-editorship for the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) from 1995-2000 in which he is still active today.

Q: There are so many types of renewable energy sources; solar, wind, biomass- it seems we could easily run America on sustainable energy! What’s the biggest obstacle to this goal right now?

A: Primarily public policy -- it is far too limited and "afraid" of change. See what the Europeans and Japanese are doing. I am and some scholars refer to this difference as The Third Industrial Revolution (renewable energy, storage and new technologies, smart girds and cities etc). That is the USA is still in The Second Industrial Revolution that is influenced and "controlled" by lobbyists for the oil & gas industry as well as auto (although that might change now, finally!)

Q: What steps does America need to take to emerge as a leader in what you describe as the 3rd Industrial Revolution of sustainable energy?

A: We need to get elected officials in office. The Obama Admin is a good example of that. In many ways the young voters today (under 40 who get the issues and DEMAND change) get what he is all about. It reminded me of the Anti - Vietnam War era. And makes sense as the National Election "skipped a generation". Some scholars refer to them as the New Millennium.

Q: In your UCLA lecture you discuss how politicians can be corrupted and even “bought off” by businesses like those involved in so called “Clean Coal” and Nuclear energy. Are you concerned that the scientific voice in America is overshadowed by corporate interests?

A: Absolutely. And there are signs in the Obama Admin that this is true even now. People who argue for "clean coal" are only delaying the need for society (globally) to get off the dependency on fossil fuels. They pollute and are the key cause to climate change. What we need are these government funds focused instead on renewable energy and making The Third Industrial Revolution real: in short it is "The Sequel to An Inconvenient Truth" We are doing just that here in LA at the Community Colleges.

Q: Let’s talk local- what’s the number one thing your average citizen can do to that will make a difference as we strive towards a sustainable future?

A: Aside from everyone being aware of the environment (turning off lights, computers and TVs etc) we all need to recycle and DEMAND that local programs are there to do it. That means participating in the local government and committees. Above all we need to vote, as they did in LA, for new programs that ensure our future as being off the dependency on fossil fuels. Here in LA, over 71% of the voters passed in the Nov 08 elections, 2 bond measures for making the the K-14 schools and colleges less dependent on fossil fuels by putting renewable power generation, LEED level buildings and infrastructures on campuses along with education, training and job creation. IT IS A POLITICAL MYTH that voters do NOT want to pay higher taxes. What they need now is correct and positive information about what the taxes are for --- climate change is front and center on ALL the surveys today.

Q: You’re a doctor, author, teacher, Nobel Prize Winner and more! What’s next for you?

A: An Academy Award for dramatic film that I am making on this topic along with Emmys for a TV/Cable series that will spring off of that. Another long story!