Tommy Norris spoke like a man who believed he had the world figured out. His words were sharp, simple, and filled with conviction. But conviction is not the same as truth. Facts are quiet things, and they stand long after a man’s voice is gone. Let’s weigh his words against them.
Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.
-George Bernard Shaw
The Rant and What you Need to Know
It started as a debate between old friends, the kind that drifts from good-natured ribbing to something heavier. My friend, a man with a sharp mind but a weary view of the world, pointed me to a scene from the show Landman. He said it summed up his feelings about green energy—skepticism, futility, and the weight of tradition too heavy to lift. In the scene, Billy Bob Thornton’s character named Tommy Norris delivers a fiery rant, tearing into wind turbines, solar panels, electric grids, and the very idea of moving beyond oil. My friend spoke of it like gospel. I, though, saw it for what it was: a story meant to stir emotions, not an argument rooted in fact.
Fact vs. Fiction
“In its 20-year lifespan, it [wind turbine] won’t offset the carbon footprint of making it.”
This is not true. A wind turbine pays its debt in the first year. Maybe two. After that, it turns clean energy out of the sky for decades. The wind doesn’t run out, and the turbine doesn’t complain. It stands and spins, doing its work long after the shouting stops.
Resource: Life cycle assessment of two different 2 MW class wind turbines – ScienceDirect
“And don’t get me started on solar panels and the lithium in your Tesla battery.”
Solar panels need sunlight, and they need time. But they pay their dues. Three years of clear skies and they’re in the green. The same with batteries—they may come from mines, but they also come with the power to replace the oil drum. It’s not perfect, but nothing ever is. The question is whether it works better. And it does.
The average carbon payback period for solar panels is 2.1 years.
The average new Electric Vehicle produces an astounding 50% less greenhouse gas emissions of an equivalent vehicle burning gasoline or diesel.
Resource: Energy and Carbon Payback Times for Modern U.S. Utility Photovoltaic Systems, Driving Cleaner | Union of Concerned Scientists
“If the whole world decided to go electric tomorrow, we don’t have the transmission lines.”
That’s true, in part. The grid is old. The wires sag in the sun, and storms knock them down. But no one is flipping a switch tomorrow. Progress isn’t a light bulb—it’s a slow, steady fire. The grid is being built stronger, smarter, and faster. And for every wire that fails, a rooftop panel might mean no wire is needed at all.
“We have a 120-year petroleum-based infrastructure… It’s in everything.”
He’s right about that. Oil has touched every part of our lives. It built the roads, the cities, the cars, and even the rackets and lipsticks. But that doesn’t mean it owns the future. New things take time to grow. Bioplastics are already here. So are new ways to reuse the old. Oil may have been the beginning, but it doesn’t have to be the end.
Resource: Bioplastic – Wikipedia
“The thing that’s gonna kill us all is running out [of petroleum] before we find an alternative.”
No, the thing that will kill us is not stopping soon enough. The world is hotter than it should be. The ice is melting. The seas are rising. And the air carries the weight of our old mistakes. There are alternatives—cleaner ones, safer ones. They are here now, and they work. What kills us won’t be running out of oil. It will be running out of time.
Still doubting the viability of renewable energy? Check out these renewable energy success stories and if you’re interested in how your country is making progress towards sustainability head here: Sustainable Development Report Rankings 2024
Uruguay
Uruguay generates 94.5% of its electricity from renewable sources. While older hydropower plants form part of the energy mix, recent significant investments in wind, biomass, and solar have increased these sources’ share to 55% of total energy generation. This far surpasses the global average of 12% and Europe’s average of about 20%.
Costa Rica
Earlier this year, Costa Rica went an impressive 94 consecutive days without relying on fossil fuels for electricity, using a mix of 78% hydropower, 12% geothermal energy, and 10% wind power. The government aims for 100% renewable electricity by 2021, although the transportation sector remains heavily reliant on fossil fuels.
Iceland
Iceland benefits from its volcanic geology, which enables it to use geothermal energy for 85% of its heating needs. Combined with hydropower, this has allowed Iceland to generate 100% of its electricity renewably, making it the largest green energy producer per capita worldwide.
Paraguay
Paraguay derives 90% of its electricity from the massive Itaipu hydropower dam, a key driver of the country’s energy production.
Lesotho
Lesotho generates all its electricity from a series of cascading dams, which produce enough surplus energy to export power to neighboring South Africa.
Bhutan
Bhutan’s hydropower resources produce an electricity surplus that generates over 40% of its export revenue. However, the country’s reliance on hydropower poses challenges; during the dry season, Bhutan has to import electricity from India.
The Danger of Relying on Entertainment or Social Media for Information
Tommy Norris is a character in a story. His job is to speak in a way that makes people listen, not in a way that makes them think. That’s the difference between a man’s rant and the quiet truth. If you let yourself believe every loud voice, you’ll be led astray. Stories are fine for the campfire, but facts are what guide the way forward.
Final Thoughts
The work ahead is daunting, but let’s begin with belief. Optimism doesn’t mean naivety—it means asking, “How could it work?” instead of dismissing it with, “It won’t.” The green energy he mocks may very well be the key to saving us all—if we give it a chance to prove itself. There will be noise, there will be doubt, but don’t let them cloud your purpose. Keep your eyes fixed on the horizon, your hands steady on the wheel, and your resolve rooted in hope.
To my friend to whom I value and love with all my heart: Make room for optimism. It can take you to unexpected places – if you let it.
Stay Green my Green Villagers
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