Investing and Earth's Fate, x2

Last month we wrote how Socolow and Pacala's concept of C02 "stabilization wedges" also presents a powerful investment framework. Since civilization as we know it depends on stabilizing C02 production, and since humanity is girding for the challenge already, we would like to be fully invested in companies working toward each solution.

Socolow and Pacala propose seven C02 "stabilization wedges" (a reduction of a billion metrics tons of C02/year) are necessary to prevent dramatic changes to humanity's life on earth. Joseph Romm summarizes here on Grist.org why that actual number is 14 wedges. To us they represent a powerful investment framework:

Efficiency & Conservation:
Increased transport efficiency
Reducing miles traveled
Increased heating efficiency
Increased efficiency of electricity production

Fossil-Fuel-Based Strategies:
Fuel switching (coal to gas)
Fossil-based electricity with carbon capture & storage (CSS)
Coal synfuels with CCS
Fossil-based hydrogen fuel with CCS

Nuclear Energy:
Nuclear Electricity

Renewables and Biostorage:
Wind-generated electricity
Solar electricity
Wind-generated hydrogen fuel
Biofuels
Forest storage
Soil storage

And there are more possibilities, but this represents an outstanding list for investors wanting to participate in major secular trends and allocate capital to businesses working to sustain human life on earth.