Ward says the technology already exists to do all of this.

NPR: 'Future Home' Adds Ease to Living for Everyone

So if the environmental and economic upswing is so great, and the technology already exists, what needs to happen for the U.S. to harness its efficiency reserves?

FORBES: Log Baby Log: The Race to The Big New Resource Play You Haven't Heard Of

Gizmag has an involved description of how these various systems would work, but the crucial point is that the technology already exists, just at a lower scale.

FORBES: Connect

Airbus, which says the technology already exists to fly shorter and more precise routes, today unveils five revolutionary concepts to get passengers from A to B quicker, whilst helping the industry meet its target to halve CO2 emissions by 2050.

ENGADGET: blogger-avatar

The technology, called DSL, already exists to allow internet connections up to 100 times faster than existing modems, and BT has been testing it for some time.

BBC: BT forced to open network

Well, this technology already exists, in the form of Nest, a smart thermostat that can be controlled remotely through a mobile app.

FORBES: The Functional Web: Navigating The World Of Apps

The technology exists to drill deepwater wells safely, and the Dept. of Interior has already suggested a host of sensible safety improvements.

FORBES: Offshore Oil Czar Bromwich Falls Flat With Op-Ed Defending Permit Delays

This technology already exists today but internet bandwidth still needs to grow in certain parts of the world for it to become routine.

UNESCO: CULTURE