Al Gore takes Climate Crisis Challenge to CongressIn his testimony before the U.S. House of Representatives, Vice President Al Gore reached out to members of Congress in a bi-partisan manner and provided a 10 point strategy plan to combat global warming. “There is a sense of hope that this US Congress will rise and present meaningful solutions to this crisis.” With 516,000 signatures on a petition signed just days before, Gore made his first appearance in the Capitol since his departure in 2001 and was welcomed by both parties, “welcome home.”
Citing scientific data and information from his book and film An Inconvenient Truth, Gore pleaded Congress to make a cut in emissions of 90% in order to cut global warming pollution.
“I promise you, the day will come, that our children and grandchildren will look back on us and ask what in God’s name were they doing…what was wrong with them?...Or they’ll ask another question, how did they rise above?”
In an emotional plea, Gore asked Congress to choose the latter and rise above this climate crisis by taking immediate action. Gore expressed concern over the 70 million tons of global warming pollution that is dumped into the atmosphere every day and how the Earth is literally shaking because of what’s happening in Greenland and other places due to glacier movement due to melting. Gore also acknowledged that methane is 23% more powerful than CO2 and that all pollution gases need to be dealt with.
In a bold 10 point strategy, Gore laid out the following innovative solutions:
1- Freeze CO2 emissions and then make immediate reductions
2- Use tax code to reduce taxes on employment and production and make up the difference with pollution tax.
3- Earmark a portion of those tax revenues for lower income groups for assistance in transition.
4- Come up with a strong global treaty and move the next meeting date up to 2010.
5- Put a Moratorium on coal-fired power plants
6- The creation of an Electronet that allows private homeowners to sell their excess electricity from self-produced wind and solar sources.
7- Raise CAFE standards
8- Use regulatory power that includes CFL bulbs and dimmers.
9- Creation of Connie Mae to set aside costs for green home improvement.
10- Required emissions reports from corporations.
Gore further stressed that the European cap and trade is succeeding continent wide, and that although there are some nations that are behind their goals, there are many that are ahead of schedule. He also announced the launching of a global TV, radio, and internet ad campaign to bring attention to the crisis. This campaign will begin on 7/7/07, with the LIVE EARTH festivals www.liveearth.org.
While some Republicans welcomed Gore, many attacked him by trying to censor and silence his testimony. Republican Representative Ralph Hall (TX) called the environmental concerns an “attack on energy.” Other Republicans like Representative Barton (also from Texas) admitted he considers oil and gas profits more important than the environment. Energy and Air Quality Committee member Dennis Hastert, in an ironic statement of obvious conflict of interest said, “We need to use more coal.”
Learn about the following:
Greenhouse Gases: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6662932
Melting Mountains: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6903014
Images of Greenland: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9827949/displaymode/1107/s/2/
Warming Signals: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16913964/displaymode/1107/s/2/
Energy Map of US: http://www.msnbc.com/modules/eoe/energy.asp
Greenest Cars: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17006933/
Read the MSNBC report at: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17718399/
Meanwhile, 2008 candidate John Edwards is also focusing on the climate crisis:http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17707331/
