As the full impact of OPEC's recent round of petroleum price increases broadsides the US economy, and Internet stock investors suddenly discover that the term "new economy" is simply a synonym for the term "high-tech Ponzi scheme," perhaps we might revisit the discussion of where we can best put our investments.

However, as any of the thousands of books on investing are only too happy to tell you that before you invest you need to find a trend; a sure-fire wave that you can hop on and ride to financial freedom. For instance, many people now regret that they didn't buy Microsoft in 1981 because it became the biggest, longest wave in the huge history of the computer/software industry. Of course, now, as that wave breaks apart on Reno Beach, it is time to declare another trend.

A Trend You Can Bet Your Life On

Two words: Global Warming

Surely, you don't mean that thing that the Mobil op-ed ads in the New York Times say simply isn't happening?

Yup, Global Warming.

You don't mean that thing that's going to make me get rid of my SUV do you? (SEE: LET'S CELEBRATE)

Yup, Global Warming.

Global warming, the boogie man of the oil industry funded think tanks? The one that some claim will surely destroy the US economy if we act like it is real?

That’s the one.

We Didn't Know It Was That Bad...

Everything is pointing at a fundamental change in our economy in the next decade because we don't produce significant amounts of oil in the United States. Yes, global warming is a major environmental concern, but it disguises an economic truth that even the most hard-bitten non-environmentalist can understand: the U.S. controls only 2.2% of the world's oil supply.

So here’s our investment trend. Invest in U.S. energy independence. We suggest you consider investing in alternative energy, energy conservation, storm remediation techniques and energy storage technologies. They're all part of a trend that has everything a good economic trend should have:

• Lots of people shouting that it really isn't happening, so prices will stay low while you buy;

• Lots of major effects on the economy so that products that mitigate effects will have a ready, long-term market;

• Lots of media exposure. As the problem of higher prices for oil and the climate effects of global warming repeatedly find their way into our TV news programs and onto our newspaper's front pages, so will those technologies that offer solutions.

No matter what the professional nay-sayers claim, after the hottest (and one of the earliest) springs in the last 106 years, do you think there are many people who aren’t muttering to themselves that something weird is going on? (SEE:WEIRD WEATHER) The red lights are starting to flash on a quite a few mental dashboards. They certainly did for Bill Gates and other major investors who invested heavily in fuel cell technology in January and drove fuel cell stocks up four to eight times in just a couple months.

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