For over 100 years, we have known that oil is the lifeblood of our economy and military. The lack of oil in both world war I and II was the downfall of the Germans. Both German and Japan attacks were motivated by the seizing of oil fields in the Middle East, Russia, and the South Pacific. Yet, for 100 years, we have not put any major concerted effort into solving the scientific problems. We invested heavily in the Manhattan Project in the 40s and the Space race in the 60s all the while our dependence on oil was growing and our production began to wane in the 70s. I am a photophysical chemist studying the dynamics of energy transfer for use in light harvesting devices with the hope of producing methods to photosynthesize fuels. I believe that renewable energy is vital to working class people and cheap renewable energy will transform the world. I am motivated to find an energy solution. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx