I have recently been reading a ground-breaking book by James Burke and Robert Ornstein, called The Axemaker’s Gift. The premise of the book is that each technological breakthrough invokes the law of unintended consequences, a law that states that no-one can adequately foresee the future effects of any decision.

In the light of the recent oil spills and coal mine disasters, however, it is clear that old energy technologies are too hazardous to everyone. The Gulf oil spill of 2010, is, after a few days, affecting fishing as far away as Canada, and there is no telling what damage will be done to fishing, wildlife, and the economies of the Gulf coast and the Eastern seaboard (and this does not even include the damage to the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central and South America). Those who have been advocating for cleaner, safer energy for decades are now starting to look positively prescient.

I made the switch to renewable energy some years ago, buying all my electricity from a provider that offered a hundred per cent solar and wind power. By voting with my dollars, I have been supporting renewable energy, and whereas in 2005 there was only one energy company in my area offering a hundred per cent renewable energy, now there are five. In another five years, all the energy companies in my area might be offering all renewable options.

Yes, it may cost you a few tenths of a cent per kilowatt. But the 2010 Gulf oil spill was caused because British Petroleum did not want to install a valve costing half a million dollars, and ended up causing billions in damage, the extent of which may never truly be known, and which will be reflected in higher energy prices for years to come. We cannot afford to reward this kind of irresponsible corporate behaviour. Vote with your dollars and go green!