The pace is quickening. The momentum is building. Full page ads in the New York Times regularly propose bold initiatives for alternative fuel sources. The pain of outrageous oil prices is waking up the public to the urgent need for inexpensive alternative energy. Although there’s less public interest in the environmental catastrophe we are facing from fossil fuel pollution, individuals and the business world are poised to embrace dramatic action to ease the crunching economic burden of rising fuel costs. So we have a rare opportunity to seize the moment to develop new technologies while saving the planet from possible destruction. We need an "Energy Manhattan Project” and we need it now.

Al Gore’s moving speech on July 17th in Constitution Hall in Washington D.C urging John McCain, Barack Obama and Congress to embrace a crash program to get 100% of our nation's electricity from renewable and clean energy sources within 10 years has roused Move On, the national political action group, to circulate a nationwide petition demanding that Congress act on Al Gore’s proposal. As of this writing “Move On” has accumulated over 150,000 signatures. Undoubtedly they will ultimately gather millions of backers. Who wouldn’t want cheaper alternative fuel and conservation measures to lower the price at the pumps?

Will this strategy work and finally prod Congress to crank out a serious energy policy? Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi thinks so. She said that if sufficient numbers demand action Congress will get behind the proposal. This sounds encouraging. But reading between the lines, Pelosi’s statement is depressing and screams out: “keep The ‘Energy Manhattan Project’ out of the hands of Congress.”

On the heels of “An Inconvenient Truth” and the continuous flow of scientific data and warnings on the catastrophe we are facing, if members of Congress need an electrical cattle prod of signatures to wake them up from their slumber to take action on avoiding a planetary disaster, they are the wrong body to sheperd the “Energy Manhattan Project.” Their lethargy suggests that the project placed in their hands will fall victim to special interests, lobbying pressures, pork barrel concessions, and a never ending list of hanky-panky maneuvers that will deflate the program and steer it off course. Most likely it would be limited to existing alternative technologies and would not explore “out of the box’" thinking. It will not fulfill Al Gore’s vision. As I stated in an earlier article, “in the politicized and monetized legislative arena the ‘Energy Manhattan Project’ would get mired down, watered down or hijacked, if not vaporized.”

The title of Lee Iacocca’s book says it all: “Where Have All The Leaders Gone?” Congress doesn’t need more information or petitions. It needs leadership. Are our representatives so far out touch with reality that they need signatures to act on one of the greatest crises of our times? Is Congress telling us that without the signatures the public might balk at a bold meaningful energy policy to reduce dependence on foreign oil, bring down fuel prices, and introduce clean alternative energy sources? Make no mistake about it, what Nancy Pelosi is really revealing about the congressional club that she knows well is that Congress is riddled with self-interest and special interests. At best they will grudgingly introduce limp measures that offer a few bare bones to quell the public outcry for action while they do business as usual.

That’s’ why Al Gore—a true leader who is here, not gone—should initiate the “Energy Manhattan Project” outside of government. Al Gore uniquely has the credibility, understanding, compassion, commitment, and trust to do it right. And why not make it a planetary project? Get support and contributions from governments, especially the non-oil producing nations ((but restrict them from management), foundations, philanthropists, and just ordinary citizens across the globe who want to participate in a one world energy project to insure the longevity of the planet and a proud legacy for future generations The “Planetary Energy Project” might just ignite a long sought after one world vision and unity.—globalization that will serve everyone.

If I may be so bold Al Gore: This project is your destiny and legacy. Carry the torch and they will follow. Don’t give away your dream!
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In case you missed my last three Columns on the Energy Manhattan Project:

Let’s Launch and Energy Manhattan Project Now: Open Letter To Lee Iacocca

The Suicide Bombing Of Science

Two Weapons Of Mass Destruction That Threaten Us: Ignorance And Inaction

(My recently published book "Escape Your Own Prison: Why We Need Spirituality and Psychology to be Truly Free" is published by Rowman and Littlefield (Oct. 2007) and is now available at Amazon.com,Barnes & Noble.com and other major book outlets.)
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Bernard Starr, Ph.D., formerly professor of developmental and educational psychology at the City University of New York, now teaches “Spirituality and Psychology in Film” at Marymount Manhattan College. In addition to his work in radio (“The Longevity Report”), he is a longtime contributor of commentary and opinion articles to numerous major publications. He is also the President of the Association for Spirituality and Psychotherapy and is the main United Nations representative for the Institute of Global Education that founded the Mucherla Global School in Mucherla, India. © Copyright 2008 by Bernard Starr.