We don't need to settle to have green fun.

This weekend I enjoyed time at the Go-Kart track with my boys. Unlike karting when I was younger, today's karting adventure was CO2 neutral, making me think. My hobbies and activities don't need to diminish as they go green. 

In a past article, I have shared my journey on a solar/wind-powered ski lift. Imagine going to the mountain in a four-wheel-drive EV then making a cruiser run on a freshly groomed corduroy run. The snowcat working through the night grooming the piste is a PistenBully 600E + snow groomer, making alpine skiing possible with minimal CO2 impact. Even the lodge where I warm up and get lunch leverages green energy to heat and cook for the thousands of guests. The food service sources food locally where possible and when items are shipped, they come on a green hydrogen-powered ship. From the port, a 100% electric eCascadia truck delivers the goods to a distribution center. From the distribution center to the restaurant, an eM2 box truck makes the local delivery. By now, you might be thinking this tree-hugging guy is picking corner cases to make a point, and this won't work for me. So let's continue to explore my first-world hobbies and their transition to green energy without minimize the experience.

In warmer months, I spend time boating. Although sailing would seem green out of the box, many internal combustion engines come into play. The first intersection is transportation to the water. Instead of an EV (car), I take an e-bike. Every summer, I worry about my beach body, and biking downhill to the boat provides the illusion of exercise, but vanity only goes so far when it comes to propelling myself home after eight hours in the sun. The e-bike provides the extra oomph to make it up the hills. Next, I climb into the inflatable dinghy. I could use oars, but what would the jet setters sitting at the yacht club think of me? So instead, I choose to use a Torqeedo electric dinghy motor to speed out to the boat. Although a sailboat, I still need an engine to navigate the intercoastal waterway to open water, and here I rely on my Oceanvolt electric motor. The quiet motor enables an atmosphere to discuss the day's pending race and strategize with the crew as we proceed to the racecourse. And yes, the committee boat is e-powered as well, making the day CO2 neutral.

A first-world lifestyle is achievable without sacrificing much. In a few cases, the new tech makes things better. For example, an F150 Lightning pickup truck with acceleration like a supercar is better than the legacy version. Yes, there is a chance one's auto insurance will go up, but reducing CO2 is achievable even for those not wanting to sacrifice.  

My favorite problems are first-world problems, and the infrastructure available today has us on the cusp of massive CO2 reductions without sacrificing. No single element or e-device works in isolation. The infrastructure behind the scenes must support the transition or the examples above remain corner cases. For instance, I must have confidence the energy used to support each element above is genuinely green. The karts above must use green power to achieve the benefit desired.

Fortunately, the technology offering the prerequisite foundation for mainstream sustainable energy is advancing at a tremendous pace. As a result, every element of the energy industry is undergoing a transformation enabling a sustainable future. I believe we are past the days of greenwashing and token programs. Legislation, technological innovation, and profitable business models have the world at a tipping point. Today's energy industry disruption is analogous to the transformation we witnessed in telecom, only this time, the stakes are higher. Founders, investors, and industry incumbents are driving innovating at a head-spinning pace. Silicon Valley techies and VCs have energy on their collective radar. Every element of the energy industry offers the opportunity to become the next Silicon Valley unicorn. 

Legacy companies know they must change to remain relevant. Pressure from shareholders and others is accelerating the pace of change. Last week's judgment from the Hague against Royal Dutch Shell to cut emissions by 45% only highlights the importance of acting fast. We have the tools and desire to make the transition. The only question is how quickly the transition will go.