The Slow Art of Energy Change: Why Real Progress Is Steady, Not Spectacular

Every generation dreams of a revolution—an energy miracle that will sweep away the old and usher in the new. But look closer, and you’ll see that real change comes in waves, not tsunamis. The shift from wood to coal, coal to oil, and oil to gas took decades, even centuries. Each step required new infrastructure, new habits, and new policies. The same is true today as we move toward renewables and greater efficiency.

Incremental progress is not glamorous, but it is powerful. Every better engine, every smarter policy, every cultural shift adds up. The lesson? Celebrate small wins, keep moving forward, and remember that the future is built, not wished into being.