The New Map: Energy, Climate, and the Clash of Nations

by Daniel Yergin

As one energy executive put it, if his company stopped producing oil tomorrow, that would not change consumption patterns. People would still be driving their cars, and another company would step in to fill all their gas tanks. In the absence of a carbon tax or significant incentives or higher gasoline taxes, how many consumers will willingly pay more for greener energy—such as buying an EV or a fuel cell vehicle, or choosing a greener yet pricier energy plan? Some will, some won’t.