Bill Gates Calls for Innovation

by Mark Malek

In a recent article posted by Bill Gates, he noted that in order to reach certain goals for reduction of CO2, insulation is not the answer, but rather through innovation.  The goals referenced by Mr. Gates include a 30% reduction in CO2 by 2025 and an 80% reduction in CO2 by 2050.  As Mr. Gates points out, the 2050 goal is likely not attainable – not without major innovation.

The issue, as I see it, is that this is a global goal.  It is tough to have a global goal, however, if every country is not on board.  If that is the case, then we must look to the law of averages.  If only one of the major CO2 producing nations is not completely on board, then there is no way that the goal can really be attained.  That is, not unless the remaining countries take their CO2 production down to nearly 0%.  Unfortunately, there are some greenhouse gas emissions that we just cannot stop.  As noted in the article, this may include, for example, the decaying process, making fertilizer, etc.  So what does that mean for the USA?  I believe it means a major shift in our transportation and energy production industry.  It means that we will need a complete shift away from the archaic idea of burning fuel, i.e., petroleum, coal and even natural gas, in order to generate power.

I’ll let you know how many hate mails I get from the big oil companies!  I know it is not a popular opinion, but if these are to be realistic goals, then we do not need to focus research and development efforts on vehicles that get better gas mileage.  We need to focus those efforts on vehicles that do not use gasoline to run.  We need to focus other efforts on developing and enhancing new technologies to generate electricity, i.e., wind, solar and – dare I say, nuclear.

And now for the shameless intellectual property plug.  These technologies, in my humble opinion, will only be advanced through a more efficient patent system that rewards research efforts with the ability to profit from them.  This presents a perfect opportunity for the PTO to do some forward thinking and some strategic planning.  The PTO does not need to get caught with their pants down on this one.  I believe that the examining corps should be closely looked at to determine if there are enough examiners in place to handle what will surely be an inundation of patent applications in this technology field.  Also look to see if the Examiners have the tools necessary to carry out efficient examinations of these patents and reduce pendency periods.  This is not to say that other technology fields should be ignored.  To the contrary, I believe that the PTO should start putting plans in place now to increase the examining corps in technologies where the number of patent application filings will clearly increase, while simultaneously ensuring that other technology fields do not go ignored.