Oct 24, 2023
In today's episode, our guest is Henk Rogers, and while he's not
the creator of Tetris, he has some fascinating stories associated
with the game, which you'll discover in this episode. However, we
mainly delve into the pressing issue of climate change. Many people
aren't fully aware of the situation and its implications, and Hank
sheds light on it. We discuss ideas and actions we can take
individually to address this challenge, offering insights that can
help you stay informed and potentially contribute to positive
change. We all want a better world for our children, and Hank's
perspective can guide us in that direction. Tune in with an open
mind, an open heart, and attentive ears for an insightful
episode!
[3:07] Why should I listen to you?
You should listen to me because I'm a key figure in Hawaii's
transition to 100% renewable energy. Hawaii is a global leader, and
even in the United States, we're at the forefront of achieving 100%
renewable energy for electricity. I've played a significant role in
making this transformation possible.
[3:43] Why has this become a passion of yours, and why
are you devoting your time and life to it?
I had a near-death experience. After selling my company in 2005,
just a month later, I found myself in the back of an ambulance due
to a heart attack, with 100% blockage of the Widowmaker artery. I
looked at the ceiling and thought, "You've got to be kidding me. I
haven't even spent any of the money from the sale." But the next
thought was, "No, I'm not going. I still have things to do." This
experience made me reevaluate my life's purpose. I came across a
newspaper article discussing the threat of coral extinction by the
end of the century due to ocean acidification caused by carbon
dioxide emissions. I decided I couldn't stand by and watch this
happen. So, my mission became clear: to eliminate the use of
carbon-based fuels.
[5:20] Why did you choose this specific cause to devote
your time and energy to, and what drives your passion for
it?
I have always had a global perspective, having lived in various
countries. When I look at the world, I don't see individual places
like Hawaii or San Francisco, even though I lived there for seven
years. I see the world as a whole. The issue of carbon-based fuels
is not something that can be solved by addressing it in just one
place; it needs to be tackled worldwide. Unfortunately, not many
people think on a global scale. Most individuals want to help
specific communities or address localized problems, like saving a
coral reef. These local efforts are essential for creating change
on a smaller scale. However, someone must consider these issues on
a global level. If I can and do think on this global scale, then it
becomes my responsibility because not many others are taking on
that part of the challenge.
[12:54] What are the major challenges and barriers
you've faced while working on a global scale and trying to get
buy-in from a large number of people?
The situation in Hawaii was as follows: when we began this journey,
Hawaii was importing $6 billion worth of oil, with $5 billion spent
on oil used for various purposes and another billion dollars
specifically for jet fuel. Among this, 30% was allocated to jet
fuel, 30% for ground transportation, and 40% for electricity,
totaling $2 billion for electricity and a billion dollars for
ground transportation. We aimed to halt this $3 billion expense.
Notably, the electric company in Hawaii was the largest
corporation, and when we introduced legislation to transition to
100% renewable energy, they were one of the main opponents, arguing
that it couldn't be accomplished. I recall being on a panel where I
stated our goal of achieving 100% renewable energy by 2045. A
fellow panelist, a university researcher, declared that, based on
his studies, it was impossible. I responded by taking the
microphone and acknowledging that I might not be as knowledgeable
as him, but we were determined to do it regardless. The prevailing
attitude often involves experts and industry insiders insisting it
can't be done. This perspective stems from a focus on slow,
incremental changes. However, we disrupted the utility's business
model to make the transition to renewables more profitable for
them, and the results speak for themselves. Hawaii's initial target
was 40% renewable energy by 2030, and we have already achieved that
goal.
[16:00] Are you primarily focused on finding better methods
or strategies for implementing renewable solutions, or is your
research more oriented toward encouraging people to adopt these
approaches?
At present, we're closely monitoring emerging research and the rise
of companies that develop the cutting-edge technologies we require.
Instead of creating these technologies ourselves, we search for
them. For example, let's consider our interest in hydrogen
production. To make hydrogen, we need an electrolyzer, a device
that utilizes water and electricity to generate hydrogen.
Remarkably, a new company in Ohio has developed an advanced
electrolyzer. We decided to purchase their first unit, which we now
use at the ranch to produce hydrogen. Several other companies are
also experiencing significant growth. The key point here is that
people can visit our ranch and witness the future unfold. They can
learn about living off the grid, given that I exclusively drive
electric cars charged solely at the ranch. Consequently, we've
achieved complete off-grid living and gathered essential knowledge,
even if it means occasionally taking cold showers, which can be an
interesting experience.
[18:42] How are shifts to electric vehicles and
renewable energy impacting the automotive repair and mechanics
industry, given the ongoing global changes?
The world is in a constant state of flux, as it has always been.
Imagine humanity as passengers in a lifeboat, where there are holes
in the boat and most of us are diligently scooping out water to
keep it afloat. Surprisingly, there are individuals assigned the
task of drilling more holes in this lifeboat. This is not a job;
it's a crime against humanity and nature. Once we collectively
understand this, we must cease damaging the world we intend to pass
on to future generations. Considering you have three kids and I
have four, with eight grandchildren and another on the way, it's
vital to recognize that I'm the eldest of 15 siblings, which means
I have a multitude of nieces and nephews. This immense family
network makes me feel accountable, not just for them but for all
the children who will follow. It's our human responsibility to
safeguard the well-being of the next generation and the ones that
come after. If we neglect our duty and mistreat our planet, we will
witness severe consequences, not only in terms of the current wave
of migrants fleeing regions where food can no longer be grown but
also in the imminent deluge of people facing dire circumstances in
the coming two decades.
[25:45] How can we start discussions about climate
change and sustainability in suburban areas with limited focus on
these topics amid information overload and
distractions?
I'm determined to inspire individuals to make responsible choices
at a local level. For instance, I've personally embraced a
sustainable lifestyle by going off the grid, driving electric
vehicles, and choosing alternative means of transportation such as
cycling or using public transit. These seemingly small actions
accumulate and have a substantial impact. Empowering your community
to make conscious decisions is of paramount importance. When your
community decides to take a definitive step, the conversation
shifts from "Why should we do this?" to "How can we achieve this?"
The moment people start contemplating the "how," solutions start
emerging. Let's take, for example, the city of New York. We
initiated the plan to go 100% renewable energy, and once the
commitment was in place, everyone involved began brainstorming how
to make it happen. Astonishingly, just six months after passing
this mandate, the electric company publicly declared, "We've
figured it out, and we can achieve this by 2040." It's perplexing
that they hadn't explored this earlier, but the power lies in
making people think about it. When a city, like San Francisco,
declares its intent to transition to 100% renewable energy, it
sparks a chain reaction. All the entities contributing to the
city's electricity supply start brainstorming how to align with
this goal. That shift in mindset is precisely what we need.
[34:50] What are some practical steps someone like me
can take to contribute to sustainability and environmental efforts,
even on a local level, such as in their home or
community?
An effective approach to raising awareness involved elementary
school children, who went door-to-door to replace 300,000
incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient LED alternatives. LED
bulbs consume just about 10% of the electricity required by
incandescent bulbs. This easy swap significantly reduces household
energy consumption—a simple yet impactful change. I've personally
made eco-conscious adjustments, like eliminating beef from my diet.
While I enjoy a good burger, I've learned about beef's devastating
environmental effects. Cattle farming contributes to deforestation,
especially in the Amazon, as trees are cleared for grazing. Cattle
also emit methane as they digest their food, further exacerbating
environmental issues. In contrast, pigs and chickens have much
smaller environmental footprints, primarily feeding on waste,
making them a more sustainable dietary choice.
[44:33] What promise did God make to the world
when he created you?
I'm going to send you somebody who's going to help you fix
things
Key Quotes
[6:40-6:42] Ignorance is thinking you can't do something.
How to connect with Henk Rogers
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/henkrogers
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/HenkRogers
Twitter: https://twitter.com/henkrogers