The Energy Convergence - GineersNow The Energy Convergence - GineersNow | Page 31

“Instead of policy,” the engineer tells them, “we
could make current transportation systems
more efficient and slow the progress of
greenhouse gas release. Massive gas exchange
units that work on the same principal as trees
could be constructed to cycle carbon dioxide
into oxygen as the wind passes through them.
The same structures could double as wind
turbines or be lined with solar panels to reduce
dependence on oil and coal fired plants.” A few
bar stools down, the young woman nods in
agreement with the engineer.
While bragging with increasing volume and
decreasing pronunciation about their individual
skills and capabilities, they had quickly drained
their first round of drinks. The banker waves
at the old man and orders three citrus vodka
cocktails on his tab. The second round rapidly
expands their already oversized egos, throwing
fuel on the heated debate.
The lawyer starts raving about how
“International policies for building something
like that would have to be in place to ensure
the construction would go forward on schedule
and meet regulations. It would benefit the
international community but if conflict broke out
in the region it was built…” he rattled on with
self-righteous grandeur, until the banker butts in
to ask “Who’ll pay for such a huge construction
project? If we taxed emission we could use an
international pool to fund the project.”
Taking another careful sip from his glass as to
not dampen his thick mustache, the engineer
tells the men in suits “It doesn’t matter where
it’s built, as long as the conditions are prime for
the physics and science behind the machine
to work. If it works like it should and benefits
everyone, then it would be important for all
nations to preserve.”
From behind his gold-rimmed spectacles, the
banker reminds his friend the engineer, its
bankers that find investors for venture capital
projects, and without men like him pipe dreams
like giant gas sucking trees wouldn’t float.
He points out that if they were to side with
environmentalists, then Big Oil would back out,
and he adds, with an awkwardly close lean
toward the engineer in his dark denim jeans and
half buttoned dress shirt, bring their money out
with them.
“Big Oil would back it,” the engineer speaks
frankly, over his raving friends “because it would
fix their emissions issues. Hell, they’d install
one on every oil rig and that would decrease
ocean acidification as the gas was fixed into
water molecules circulated in machinery
installed on the rig’s base. They could suck
up emissions, slow sea level rise and reverse
ocean acidification. No taxes or policy needed,
just sell Big Oil on the idea and hand them the
schematics.”
The engineer allows the suits to banter and
debate amongst themselves as he quietly
slides down the bar next to the woman with
the empty glass. She is studying environmental
engineering at the local university and wants to
hear more about this oil rig idea. He orders her
another her mojito and asks if she’d like to see
the skyscraper being retrofitted for rooftop solar
with a massive crane four blocks up near his
hotel—there is a killer view from his room.
Ready to order third round, the banker and
the lawyer set their empty cocktail glasses on
the bar and look around for their friend; it’s the
engineer’s turn to buy. They turn to catch a
glimpse of the engineer as he slips out the door
while discussing the complexities of climate
change and sea level rise with a pretty young
woman by his side who turns and smiles back
at them.