EcoGeek - Technology for the Environment - Eighty Year Old Saved Us $800 Billion

Refrigerators used to consume 2000 kilowatt-hours per day, now they use 450 kwh. Windows used to let in every ounce of heat that hit them, now the reflect the majority of infra-red light. Light bulbs used to be made of white-hot tungsten, now they're made of cool fluorescent gasses.

All of these innovations, added together, have saved the America $800 billion dollars since the 1950's. All of these innovations were contributed to or created by the laboratory of one man: Dr. Arthur Rosenfeld, an 80 year old particle physicist, who has worked on the physics and policy of energy efficiency in the United States for longer than just about anyone. From 90% efficient motors to low-emissivity windows to compact flourescent light bulbs, Rosenfeld worked on it all. In 1975, during the first oil crisis, he persuaded the U.S. government to create (and place him in charge of) the Center for Building Science, quite possibly making him the world's first EcoGeek. In the next thirty years, hundreds of innovations would spring from the Center for Building Science (now called the Environmental Energy Technologies Division,) every one devoted to decreasing the amount of energy wasted in the world.

Not only are we in an $800 billion debt to him, that number is growing by more each year. By 2010, we will owe him over a trillion dollars. If anyone thinks that energy efficiency is bad for buisness, we need look no further than that number. And, on top of it, the environmental benefits of Rosenfeld's innovations are incalculable.

Rosenfeld won the Enrico Fermi award, the US Department of Energy's highest honor, this year. He took home $375,000, not a great return on $800 billion. But Rosenfeld says the recognition and gratitude from the community was his real reward. Dr. Rosenfeld, you have our recognition, and our sincerest gratitude.

Via VOA and The US Department of Energy