College of Business Administration

1) Examples of clean technology include solar, wind, and hydrogen. Why are these technologies not implemented on a larger scale? What recommendations might you offer to expedite adoption of such technologies?

2) Does the general public know about cleaner technologies and the need for them? If not, what might be done to insure more widespread knowledge of these technologies? If so, how come they are not practiced?

3) The American Oil and Natural Gas Industry web page states, “The ideal energy source--cheap, plentiful, and pollution-free-- may prove unattainable in our lifetime.” How would you respond to this statement?

4) “When an environmentalist visited Chevron’s facilities in Papua New Guinea, he was surprised to find a greater abundance of endangered species thriving inside the oil field boundaries than outside.” What feelings did Chevron’s web page entitled “Global Citizenship” evoke from you?

5) Considering the results of 1) the banning of CFC’s and 2) the hydrogen initiative in Iceland, how does the below quote change your attitude towards the responsibility of businesses and their market influences?

“without a reorientation of corporate R&D practices toward more environmentally sensitive criteria, public funds will not be sufficient to shift the trajectories of corporate technology development. Thus, a better understanding of how corporate R&D and innovation operate and how they may be influenced in ‘cleaner’ directions, remains a priority.”

6) Some critiques say that we need innovation through waste minimization and dematerialization. Given that innovations are market driven--a claim which might be challenged--, is there a market? Where and why? Why not?

7) Do oil costs have to increase as they did in the 70s in order to stimulate the use of renewable power? To what extent should the US deploy renewable energy--or offer economic incentives--to improve the environmental profile of an ‘electricity generation’ (i.e., solar, geothermal, wind) to hedge for future fuel price volatility?

8) Even though alternative forms of energy cost more, are there "social cost" or "social benefits" that are not accounted for? What are they?

9) Are clean technologies promoted/mentioned/sponsored by the media? The companies that produce it? The local state and governments?

10) Can oil giants and green energy mix? What are the long-term prospects for oil giants which ignore the finite nature of fossil fuel reserves, as well as the changing public consciousness around issues of 'green' energy?

11) Why does the government not give more substantial incentives for the use of clean technology (i.e., higher tax rebates, tax-breaks, refunds)?

12) From Scientific America in 1990: “As the Soviet Union, the US, and other non-OPEC nations deplete their oil reserves, the geo-politics of energy will once again focus on the Middle East.” Discuss the connection between fossil fuel usage and the interest of Americans in wars in the Middle East.

13) What will it take to wake people up? Will there have to be additional attacks/bombings of major American cities from countries that are starving and/or blinded by religion?

14) What have you done to shape energy policies and overall corporate culture at your work site towards cleaner practices?

15) As students, what have you done to shape energy policy at your school site towards cleaner practices?