I believe that as energy prices spiral out of control, innovative companies will meet growing consumer demand for alternatives. Money talks, and more and more companies will start listening as we vote with our pocketbooks looking for ways to trim our energy costs.

Given the stranglehold “Big Oil” has on the global economy with our addiction to its sweet, sweet crude, it may seem counterintuitive or naïve to think the paradigm will radically change any time soon. But we’re already starting to see small shifts with hybrids, biodiesel, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, electric cars, plug-in hybrids, Prius hackers, and companies such as Whole Foods turning to wind and solar energy to offset their carbon footprints.

Last night’s episode of “Modern Marvels” on renewable energy on the History Channel reminded me that we humans are innovative and dynamic animals indeed. The episode was a welcomed break from the typical doomsday programming about the environment and mega natural disasters the channel has been airing lately. The show featured several potentially disruptive technologies, including:

 - The world’s first air-powered car, which is planned for production starting at around $7,000 for the short-range model.

  - The first commercial solar tower, which harnesses concentrated sunlight reflected from a field of mirrors to boil water and turn steam turbines to generate electricity.

  - A planned solar tower to be built in Australia by EnviroMission, which will use giant greenhouses with a central chimney to harness rising hot air to turn turbines. When constructed, the chimney will be the tallest structure on earth and help to power Sydney and Melbourne. Click here to view a Discovery Channel segment on the project.

  - Planktos, a U.S. firm that fertilizes plankton blooms with iron to promote growth, helping to trap greenhouse gases for up to 1,000 years. Although very controversial, the approach is fascinating.

The economics involved mean early innovations such as these need the initial nudge from public funding to get off the ground. But I’m optimistic that the combination of sound policy and market forces can help turn the tide of environmental destruction we’ve inflicted upon ourselves. If California can filter out rocket fuel and a myriad of other nasty contaminants from its groundwater to make it safe for public consumption, just imagine what’s possible if we put our minds to it?

Rest assured entrepreneurs the world over are working on an answer. Capitalism, arguably the root cause of the rampant over-consumption that got us here in the first place, may very well be what saves us in the end. Perhaps this reflects a cynical view of human nature, but I believe that ultimately financial incentives – not altruism – will save us. Let’s just hope it happens before it’s too late.

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