Comments on: Middle East Oil Barons See Green Oil Fields in Clean Technology

By: Nissim Dahan (Israel/USA)

Nissim Dahan (Israel/USA) — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 16:00:35 +0000

Karin, I would certainly be interested in getting the word out any way I can. I will study your website and get back to you soon. Thanks for your interest.

By: eric/canada

eric/canada — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 12:04:38 +0000

Fascinating post…I didn’t realize that investors in the Middle East were focusing on alternative energy. A prudent investor, however, does look towards the future and potential impacts that it will have. In this case, the ongoing improvements in hydrogen-cell technology look like they are about to explode (not literally, hopefully). The largest impediment to electricity replacing oil as the main commodity for transportation has always been the inability to store an electric charge of sufficient power for long periods of time. Looking at the various auto and engine manufacturers and designers, and the rapid strides they have made in fuel cell technology, I think that, within the next decade, there will be a “breakthrough” invention in a rechargable hydrogen cell battery that will be able to store the equivilant of a tank of gas in energy for up to a year with negligable loss in power. Such a battery, easily changeable and mass produced, will quickly replace the gas-burning culture that has been built up world-wide.
A canny investor would certainly benefit from investing in large scale alternative electricity generation now, if this scenario plays out

By: karin

karin — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 10:55:53 +0000

Dear Nissim,

I would love you to a guest post on Green Prophet about your vision. Would you be interested?
http://www.greenprophet.com

Maybe you could tell me more about your project. This could be something I could feature in a magazine article. Let me know. Karin

By: Nissim Dahan (Israel/USA)

Nissim Dahan (Israel/USA) — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 21:09:58 +0000

This is very interesting and very much in keeping with some of what I believe about the Middle East, as described in three of the related posts listed above: A Recipe for Peace Pie, Israel@60 A Light Unto The Nations?, and Don’t Laugh:Can Saudi Arabia become the “Mecca” of Green?

As you suggest, Karin, the move toward “green” in the Middle East can be analyzed on many levels. In one sense, it is a way of making money, by yielding high returns. In another sense, it is a way of protecting the environment, which is in everyone’s best interest.

But with respect to the Middle East, going “green” can accomplish even more good things. It can be used do create good paying jobs, which will help to neutralize extremist thinking. It can be a way of resoring Arab pride, because the Arab world has the funds to become the “Mecca” of green. It can be used to convert oil profits into green profits, and thus diversify Arab investments, so that people could make money on oil and on green at the same time. It can point to the possibility of peace, because nations in the region will have to cooperate when it comes to green technology and clean water, and with such cooperation, there is less inclination to fight one another, especially if people are making money in the process.

In short, there are many ways in which going green could become the hope for the Middle East. You will solve intractable regional problems, and global problems, at the same time, while making a money in the process. It could be a win/win situation for all concerned. Could it be that people will actually become so sensible? Time will only tell.