Carol... I understand your point about alternative forms of energy, In fact we were using solar panels to heat domestic water on contracts thirty years ago .Im sure the technology has moved on a lot since then,but obviously the vested interests hold things back.
To my mind Capitalism has one obstacle after another to overcome if it is to remain successful in its exploitation of people and resources and energy is no longer the biggest problem.
Islam and its opposition to Western materialism is what worries America most ,as they require global markets to continue their expansion....But the ethical questions still remain.