Don't Laugh: Can Saudi Arabia become the "Mecca" of Green?
Even the title sounds a bit out there. What, the Middle East, the world’s largest producer of oil, becoming a center for green technology, and renewable energy? Sounds crazy, doesn’t it? And yet, the sheer incongruity of it all may just be enough to make it work. In a world of increasing uncertainty, sometimes it is the unexpected that is to be expected.
Look at the world, and what do you see? A lot of good things, that’s for sure. Beauty surrounds us wherever we choose to look. But increasingly we are also facing a gathering perfect storm in the form of three types of threats: the Extremism, the Environment, and the Economy. We’ll call these the 3-E’s for short. Since these three threats are inter-related, and inextricably linked, like spaghetti and tomato sauce, it makes sense that a solution can be found which solves all three in one shot.
How are the 3-E’s related to one another? In all sorts of ways: Extremist ideologies prevent people from coming together to tackle environmental and economic problems. The degradation of the environment can spur extremist thinking and economic woes. A declining or unjust economy can become fertile ground for extremist thinking and can push people to further degrade the environment. And the list of inter-connections between the 3-E’s goes on and on.
Since the threats we face are closely connected, it makes sense that a solution can be found which addresses all three in one shot. What would such a solution look like? Well, at least part of the solution could be to revitalize the stagnant economies of the Middle East, and to neutralize some of the ideological extremism that is found there, by investing to create good paying jobs, jobs which are geared toward the protection of the environment. In short, invest in the Middle East to create jobs which protect the environment.
Conditions on the ground seem to be ripe for such a solution: Rising oil prices have made it possible for green technology and renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind power, and geothermal, to become competitive and even profitable. There is also, as we speak, a gathering consensus with respect to the threats we face, as a species, from Global Warming. It is becoming increasingly possible, for example, that by the year 2050, if we do nothing, the sea level may rise some 20 feet, thus flooding 60% of humanity. Or at least, the risk of such an outcome may be great enough to warrant decisive action now, even if we’re not completely sure. At the same time, the threat from ideological extremism has been perceived, experienced, and acknowledged, worldwide, and the world seems poised to adopt solutions which will curb such threats.
So how do we put together all of the pieces of a possible solution? Let’s start by focusing on what resources and motivations we have available to us as we speak. Oil producing countries, like Saudi Arabia, have untold billions to invest, but as yet have not invested their funds to create thriving economies, and are themselves beset by the threat posed by ideological extremists. Israel is on the cusp of cutting edge green technology, and is enjoying a thriving economy, but has not as yet come to enjoy the security that can only come from peace. America and other Western nations have plenty of public and private investment dollars, as well as business and technological expertise, but they feel insecure in a world threatened by extremist ideology, environmental harm, and economic uncertainty. The West may also be overwhelmed by the amount of investment that is will take to switch over to green, especially as it faces current economic realities on the ground.
So how do we make it all work? How do we move the immoveable? We start by convincing the world at large that change is in the air. And we do it not just by talking, but by creating facts on the ground which speak louder than words. We build a project, a special project that resonates with hope, a project for all to see, and for all to follow.
Start with a single solitary project in the West Bank, a very unique place in the Middle East, a place that resonates with symbolism. Use Israeli technology, Arab and Israeli management, Palestinian workers, and Saudi financing, to build a factory that produces a green energy product which is technologically significant in some innovative way. Promote the project around the world to attract more such funding, for more such projects, for more such jobs, for more such environmental protection, for more such neutralizing of extremism, using funds from the West, and from the Arab world as well. Pretty soon, if everything goes as it should—stranger things have happened—your project won’t just be a project anymore, but rather a movement for change. Your project will say to the world that a Vision of Hope could be made real if people simply choose to make it so, one project at a time.
How would you convince America and the West? You would say that the writing is on the wall with regard to Global Warming. You either change, or you’re all going down. And the economy is not in such great shape either. You need to create some good paying jobs, both here and abroad. But even if you go green, and even if you fix the economy, those things by themselves won’t be enough, not if you continue to have ideological extremists on your back. So the answer for America is to go for the complete package: Create good paying jobs here and the Middle East, jobs which will protect the environment, jobs which will help to neutralize ideological hate, and jobs which help to cure your economic woes.
How would you convince Israel? Israel is a coastline country, and if the sea level rises 20 feet, by 2050 no less, what will become of your country? It’s time to make something happen with regard to Global Warming and with regard to peace. Skirting around the issues with empty talk will not do. Use your technological prowess and your economic drive to help revitalize the stagnant economies of the Middle East. Help to design and build projects in the West Bank, and throughout the Middle East, which protect the environment, and which help quell the ideological fervor of extremist thinking. Your ultimate security rests in brokering a peace, a peace based on fulfilling mutual needs and creating mutual economic interdependence.
How would you convince Saudi Arabia and other nations of the Middle East? The current model that has been put in place will not hold. We all know that. Sooner or later, the oil will run out. And even before then, the West will be forced to find new sources of energy given the pressure of climate change. Global Warming weighs heavily on us all. Why not dare to dream the impossible, and to make the impossible come true? Why not create a new model, a model based on a Vision of Hope. Have the foresight and the courage to diversify your investments by becoming a big player in going green. Get in on the ground floor of the world wide demand for renewable energy. Convert oil profits into green profits, by creating jobs which protect the environment. Use good paying jobs to revitalize your economy, and to neutralize the hold of extremist thinking. Inspire a sense of hope in your people, and restore a sense of pride in the Arab world.
Is any of this possible? You’re asking me? In all honesty, no one can know for sure. But my sense is that there is no alternative. We either confront the threats we face head on, or we’re going down. It’s that simple, and everything we know and love hangs in the balance. Confronting all these three threats—the Extremists, the Environment, and the Economy—in one shot, makes a lot of sense, because: each threat is related to the other two, a solution for one can be part of a solution for all three, and a solution for one will not work unless it is tied to a solution for all three.
We find ourselves in a fix of immense proportions, a fix we’ve created for ourselves. We’re in a real pickle, so to speak. If we are to survive, and that is quickly becoming an open question, we will have to aspire to the wisdom of God, as we put together all of the pieces of a possible solution, not unlike how He has put together all of the pieces of His creation. Only then could it truly be said of us that we were created in “the image of God,” which is perhaps what He is waiting to see in us.
If you are at all interested, or if you have a rich Saudi uncle, please visit us at www.sellingavisionofhope.org
Join the Conversation
With most Saudis unaware of the threats the oil industry is inflicting on the society’s growth, for one, and since most of them see Oil as their Trump card, i think it’s hard to see Saudi Arabia leading anything that would take the spotlights away from it’s Main export.. Mainly because the government needs that oil, being it’s a money source that doesn’t require that much work (most technologies used in this industry are bought, more than created on the saudi soil), and also because the people want this oil to last out their generations so they’d have more money to spend..
I spoke about this issue before, and i posted my words in many Saudi forums, pleading for a thinking brain that would agree that we should start thinking for the future.. But with a government that is proud of having a small five-year plan to solve some problems, thinking ahead seems a bit big.. And the comments i got were mostly focusing on penalizing me for talking low about god’s gift to us, and how this is the only resource that is putting us up there with the big dogs..
I say, dream, it’s still for free.. But Saudi needs more than a small brink of light to guide society out of it’s ignorance of the problem.. It’s a kingdom where the average family has at LEAST 3 cars, And not seen as a luxury, but as a necessity.. And with the King’s cut down on the oil prices in the kingdom, people still see it as a winning card to consume that oil even more.. Why think of alternative energy when Oil when you can fill up your average car with fuel, to FULL, with an average of 25 SR, approx. 6 Dollars..? That’s the attitude many business men and citizens share of this crisis..
I believe that Society in Saudi needs a leader, since they’re not big fans of creating their own differences, that is able to come up with a solution.. Some say Saudi’s are unable to change the system because they’re too restricted, but with these restrictions diminishing slowly, people still create their own obstacles to just sit and spend even some more.. If the government doesn’t take the lead in doing some change, or even try to make an appearance in any alternative-fuel convention around the world, things would stay like this for a long long time..
However, i hope am not bursting any bubbles here with this realistic view of my society, because i happen to be saudi and am 200% pro-change and reform.. But my only problem is that i’m just another citizen, so far..
Thank you for you amazing words, and your insights on this issue.. That’s all i can say for now.. That, and what i said above lol..
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Yours,
Lou..
I know what you mean, Lou. Most of the time I too feel like I’m just dreaming.
But let me ask you this: If reality starts looking like a nightmare, won’t it be up to the dreamers to wake us up?
At first glance, a lot of what we’re both saying may seen naive. But in reality, it may be even more naive to do nothing, and hope for the best.
I would like to believe that there is some economic validity to what you and I are proposing. It makes sense to diversify your investments. It’s a hedge against market forces which are beyond your control. I’m not saying that Saudi should forget about oil. What I am saying, is that they’re in a very good position to invest in green energy, even as they keep profiting from oil. In this way, they’ll have the best of both worlds: solid oil profits, and green profits as well. That way, whatever happens with oil prices, they’re still covered, because they had the vision to think green.
In addition, unlike what you say about oil production, which does not create too many local jobs, green production could create a lot of good paying jobs, and with that you could see the beginnings of a vibrant economy. It’s one thing to have oil income, it’s another thing altogether to have an economy, in which everyone has a place at the table, a stake in his or her future.
Once you have a thriving economy, and once people are busy working, and earning a decent living, there is less time or inclination for ideological nonsense. Extremist ideology threatens Saudi as much as anyone else.
In many ways, Saudi Arabia is a leader in the Arab world. I don’t discount her peace initiative for Israel and Palestine. But I believe that Saudi could enjoy a far greater influence by becoming a leader in green, by investing in good paying jobs, by helping to curb the hold of extremist thinking, and by taking measures to protect the planet.
With this kind of effort, Saudi will not be weakening herself, but as you suggest, will strengthen herself by preparing for and shaping the future. She will play a principal role in restoring Arab pride, which has always been an integral part of the Arab world, but which has been downplayed in recent years. It’s time, as you say, to kindle that light once again, and to restore a sense of hope in the hearts and minds of the people in the region. Doing that will consolidate Saudi political power, because such power will encompass the aspirations of the people.
No, it’s up for anyone who provokes, either himself or someone else, to pinch you and wake you up.. It’s the pinch that makes us snap back to reality and then know what to do next.. The dream can be an incentive, but not a purpose, nor a primary tool.. Sometimes Dreamland may seem too exciting to be around more than reality, causing to nothing but disappointment.. Balance between Dreams and Realism can really help solve a problem, hence why Some people are Dreamers, and some like to provoke Immediate action.. Not just wait until Shit hits the fan, and then rely on dreams to clean it up.. Action may be needed before anyone even thinks of turning that Fan on..
I am not so sure about that statement..
And about Saudi Investing in Green while still sucking the oil out.. Like i said, the citizens are not interested to go down that path, since the Oil industries are on the increase, their stock is on the rise, and they provide many job opportunities for the Youth.. Notice how the care for the environment doesn’t even slip in the Priority list.. Like i said, why would the people care? They don’t seem to care about it, being it’s as cheap as a McDonalds meal and in Abundance.. Neither does the government stress on that point, while it’s still providing more reasons for people to drive around.. And the constant media mainstream on how Saudi needs more Petroleum Engineers to keep this country rich..
Or Saudi could simply change it’s name from a Person’s name to a normal country’s name, turn into a Caliphate country and Give people most of the rights that were banished under the false claims of the ill understanding of religion..
The connection here is that, You laid a great theory that could work, i laid another one that could work.. It’s more of a Solution A and Solution B.. However, looking at the society from the inside, you’d see that Green Peace is the least of our worries, or at least the government’s.. Maybe because it would kill our main source in our national and international economy and politics,or maybe because its on some ancient scroll that we should Spend the oil to buy more cars, more real estate, or like in Jeddah, build even more and more malls, hosting more foreign brands to give the Saudi even more reasons to drug themselves shopping, to stray them away from what truly matters..
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Yours,
Lou..
Very profound, Lou. In a way, very descriptive of the U.S. as well.
I think I understand where you’re coming from. You don’t really disagree with some of what I have to say, you just think it’s not going to happen. And I would respond by saying: That’s exactly why it has to happen.
Yes, people in your country and my country are busy shopping in their shopping malls. And filling up our gas tanks has become second nature. We cannot imagine it being any different.
And yet, something sinister is gnawing at our insides. We sense that something is not right with the world, even as we indulge ourselves in the lap of luxury.
Global Warming, even though still a bit murky, is making itself known to the public mind. The injustice of poverty, although it has always been around, is beginning to feel a little less comfortable, even to the most comfortable among us. And ideological extremism seems poised to strike once again, like a deadly snake.
Things are not quite as rosy as they seem on the pink marble walls of our shopping malls.
I understand the problem. The problem is that for now it is a threat we face, not a crisis. And like you suggest, people respond to crises, not to vague threats.
And yet, the impending risk of crisis is so great, and so potentially devastating, that we may well have to treat the threat, as a crisis. Take Global Warming, for example. We don’t really understand all the ins and outs of the threat. But the threat is so pronounced, and so deadly in its implications, that we are well advised to treat the threat as if it were reality, because the reality, if and when it comes, would be too hard to bear.
I don’t know how we’re going to pull it off, Lou. But somehow we will have to find a way to awaken the imaginations that have been lulled to sleep in our shopping malls. People will have to imagine the worst, before the worst has happened, and become convinced to bring out the best that humanity has to offer. It is a challenge that has probably never been met in the annals of human history. But the stakes are so great, that we have no choice but to try.
As much as people need that reality check i spoke about, your dreams can work pretty well in pushing them towards the change..
The steaks are getting higher, and we’re the ones who’re raising the bars and pushing all the buttons.. Self-destructiveness is in our nature, in our chromosomes, but i think it’s still a matter of choice.. I believe in provoking the right choice, and you’re drawing the pretty pictures around that path.. I can’t say am completely right, nor can you say such a thing, but i guess it’s all about really BEING there when things get serious..
We’re trying.. I guess one hand can’t do what two can do, and like we say in Arabia, One hand can’t clap alone..
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Hoping we’d never need to resort to civil disobedience, because the hatred stuffed into the subconscious of the average citizen is enough to nuke a complete city off the map.. Believe me, especially here in this “peaceful” kingdom..
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Yours,
Lou..
Lou, see if you see a pattern, in this two-minute history of the universe:
1. 13.7 billion years ago, the universe comes into existence with a Big Bang.
2. 4.5 billion years ago, the planet earth comes into existence.
3. 2 million years ago, our species shows up, and for 99% of our stay here, we were relatively peaceful hunter/gatherers.
4. 11,000 years ago we decide to become “civilized,” with agriculture and small villages, but now, unlike before, we have the incentive to kill and steal, and to take from others what we want for oursleves, and to act less than “civil” with one another.
5. For most of the last 2000 years, almost everyone was poor, and the population was small, less than 250,000,000.
6. In the last 150 years, with the advent of the Industrial Revolution, a great deal of wealth was created, mostly in the West, and the population shot way up, to over 6 billion today.
7. In the last 20 years, the world has developed technologically to make a Global economy possible, by which everyone on earth could be given a place at the table, a stake in his or her future.
Lou, is it my imagination, or do you also see a pattern here?
For me at least, history seems to be heading toward some sort of culmination of world events. Things are coming to a head so to speak. We’re quickly approaching a grand “choice” or sorts, and like you suggest, we’re being given that choice.
Will we use our technological skills to come together as part of a Global Economy in which everyone on earth has a place at the table, a stake in his or her future?
Or will we instead allow our technology to be used against us, with the resulting degradation of the environment, and with the mad rush to war, which can only bring to bear a fruit salad of death, destruction, and despair?
Like you say, Lou, we do tend to be destructive, just for the hell of it, but we do have a choice as well. For people like you and me, who see with clarity the outcome of the choice we are about to make, it is incument to make our voices heard, and to make our opinions known, even if we don’t quite know what the hell we’re talking about. But maybe, like you say, to provoke enough attention, so that wiser minds will prevail.
Like you say, we don’t have all the answers, and we can never be sure that we’re absolutely right, but the writing is on the wall: We either start making sense of our lives, or we’re going down. It’s as simple as that. It always has been. And everything we know and love hangs in the balance.
Well said and nicely laid out, Nissim..
As much as i agree with you that the world is indeed heading towards a certain Grand Choice, but are WE the one’s holding the buttons to push it?
So far, people with influence are majority running after greed.. Ideals need to be purified and united under one ideology for the whole world to find the same shelter.. And with each calling people to be under his flag, you’d always be overwhelmed by the many boats you can ride.. Though all rivers head to one ocean, some of these rivers may run dry before they reach that ocean.. Many may choose to divert their course, and many might settle to having their own Pond/lake..
All i can finally add to this conversation, is in this life time, man has changed.. From the Primitive alpha-male that we once were, serving a certain purpose, to the neo-human that we are now.. The options given have changed how our brain cells function, may not have altered our instinct though, but it sure created Individuality in thought.. If we can’t purify the flag where all stands under, or at least unify the purpose of why we should stand like you and I are, then i’d say we’re as good as fantasy novels..
Hopefully, the gong will be heard when the time comes..
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Yours,
Lou..
Yeap, it’s pretty much up to us, Lou. You and me both, what can I say? We could use some help, but if nobody shows up, it’s still up to us.
See, I told you you’re the one. You’ve been given a glimpse of the truth. That’s why you’re the one. We do need one ideology, in order to come together. If everyone keeps believing the same BS he wants to believe,then we’re going nowhere fast. But if we begin to believe what makes sense, what we can call An Ideology of Common Sense, then there’s a basis for coming together as one, united in purpose, and committed to the salvation of man.
But tell me, Lou, how do we know what makes sense?
And Lou spoke,
There you go again, Lou, right on point. All rivers head to one ocean, which I interpret to mean that there are common sense principles which are universal, and which were put in our minds, by our Creator, to take us all to the same place,to the same “ocean.”
I’ll suggest, with your kind permission, Lou, three such principles.
The Golden Mean, “The truth is usually somewhere in the middle between two extremes. The Golden Mean would have us moderate our views by using Common Sense as our Ideology.
The Golden Rule, “Treat others as you would have them treat you.” The Golden Rule would have us treat each other well by investing in one another to create jobs which protect the environment.
The Greatest Good, “Do what brings the greatest happiness to the greatest number.” The Greatest Good would have us maximize justice by organizing ourselves around a Vision of Hope.
Put it all together, and as Thomas Jefferson might have put it, “We find this truth to be self-evident, Ideology plus Investment equals Hope, and with Hope, all things are possible, even the impossible dream of peace.
And I like how you cap things off, Lou:
For whom does the bell toll, Lou? It tolls for thee.
You two should get married
Some of our thoughts blend well together. I guess that is a marriage of sorts. A marriage of the minds; something we could all do well to consider for ourselves.