To spur such action, the public sector should offer funds or guarantees, which, though risky, could offer huge benefits. US government funding of research into hydraulic fracturing – the technology now driving the surge in America’s oil and gas production – dates back to the 1970s.
当然，私人部门参与的需要不止在于投资。私人部门也更适合研发限制化石燃料需求的新生产方法。要刺激这方面的行动，公共部门应该提供资金或担保&mdash;&mdash;尽管风险高，但能带来巨额回报。美国政府对液压致裂法研究的资金支持可以追溯到20世纪70年代。如今，液压致裂技术正在推动美国油气产量大幅增长。