Sometimes a good analogy simplifies and helps in our understanding of complex processes and change.
For example, the massive changes now happening in energy supply and use and the impact of these changes on our life and society.
Is the energy revolution sustaining the caterpillar? Is it creating a caterpillar with wings? Or ideally, are we creating a beautiful, energy efficient butterfly?
It can be fun to put any energy related discussion into one of these categories. For example, fossil fuel industries are caterpillars (mis information creators at scale), with occasional showings of very small wings ( Carbon Capture and Sequestration, Hydrogen, (98%+ of which is presently made from methane using super heated steam ). Solar and wind energy are our proven butterflies.
Where to put politicians, media barons, lobby groups, incumbent materials operators is where the real fun begins. Who funds them? Who owns them, What does the source have to gain (or lose?) How much revenue will government gain or lose? How much popularity will be gained or lost. A long list I know, but start with who is paying their salary!
The fossil fuel energy caterpillar is rapidly going through metamorphosis to being a beautiful butterfly, (And we hope not a caterpillar growing wings!)
And so we can use this analogy to help our own understanding and perhaps when explaining to others what is happening to our world that is in throws of an energy revolution and how solar, wind and hydro power can be our ``butterfly`` outcome goal.
The energy that makes materials. The energy used in transport. The energy for heating and light. The energy for transport, for food, for plastics, for pharmaceuticals.. the list goes on.
Although not at the forefront of our minds energy used for just about everything which sustains our human The existing fossil fuel caterpillar using its molecules is morphing into solar, wind, hydro electrical butterfly using electrons to meet almost all humankinds future needs.
Electrical energy is not merely a caterpillar with wings. It is a butterfly; a thing of beauty, it is agile - an new entity with new and almost unimaginable capabilities when compared to the caterpillar. (Horse to Car / Lorry/ Train/ Shipping - another example)
The metamorphosis to the butterfly is a massive change. Not only is it providing clean and sustainable energy, but energy that many see as being close to being free. This in turn will change our lifestyles, improve living standard, reduce poverty, famine and drought. Improve medicines and reduce illness particularly in less developed countries.
Bring on the butterfly. Leave the caterpillar. Don´t be succoured by any caterpillar with wings argument. Solar and Wind fly high and free.
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