How many jobs could we generate
By designing, building, and installing a Solar Power System based in Space? Never mind the maintenance requirements, which would also be huge. And now they're imagining 3D printers in space. Printing out trusses to support slowly unwinding solar blankets. If the technology to beam the power to the surface isn't perfected yet, isn't it feasible to reflect sunlight to the surface for gathering? 24/7?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space-based_solar_power
http://www.geek.com/news/geek-answers-why-dont-we-collect-solar-power-in-space-1578017/
http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/alternative_energy/2013/03/solar_power_in_space_ray_guns_will_beam_it_back_to_earth.html
Hell, if we're printing pallets of money to place in bank vaults (at a fee), or build weapons, then cost is no object right? And at some point the whole project pays for itself, and we go to a fully powered net gain situation.
The Environment isn't going to stand much more abuse. And there are those who say the tipping point has been reached, and surpassed.
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