Race to Find Green Energy

The head of the UN section on the environment calls this "the green gold rush."

It should be no surprise that General Motors (GM Quote), maker of huge gas-guzzling trucks, is in free-fall while Toyota (TM Quote), maker of the hybrid, 45 mpg Prius, is flying high.

Green is the new green.

What form this new energy source will take is anyone's guess. Solar power is of course a hot topic (excuse the pun.) Wind energy and geothermal may be it, and don't discount the nuclear option. My pet theory (based on nothing but personal observation) is that marine power -- harnessing the energy of waves -- seems to be a no-brainer.

But whatever it is, the facts on the ground today are not that much different than when Getty struck oil. New market conditions and increased demand are making the need more acute for a plentiful energy source. Someone is going to figure it out and he who does, wins.

Let's only hope that this time we get a healthier energy source and one that we don't end up having to buy from people who are not always our friends.