In an auspicious presentation at the Aspen Ideas Festival, Friedman spells out in no uncertain terms the challenges mankind faces in the Energy Climate Era now underway in the 21st century.
- Energy and resource supply and demand.
- Petro-dictatorship.
- Biodiversity loss.
- Climate change.
- Energy poverty.
These five trends, which have met or passed their 'tipping points', will define humanity going forward. It was a tour-de-force clarion call.
"We are the first generation of human beings that are going to have to think like Noah," he said. "We are the first generation of humans who are going to have to think about saving the last two pairs."
Watch the videos of Friedman's speech.
Friedman throws down the challenge.
Al Gore 's speech (video) points to a solution.
The world is changing fast around us, and will not give us a second chance. We had better get started now.