Al Gore lays down green challenge to America

Former Vice President Al Gore, seeking to shake up an energy debate that is focused mostly on drilling, challenged the United States to shift its entire electricity sector to carbon-free wind, solar and geothermal power within 10 years, and use that power to fuel a new fleet of electric vehicles.

link: Al Gore lays down green challenge to America (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/07/18/MN2711QRVL.DTL)

I would have to say to Al............lead by example

I'm more concerned about the message vs. the messenger, it's important to keep this issue at the forefront:

Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, Democratic presidential candidate: "I strongly agree with Vice President Gore that we cannot drill our way to energy independence, but must fast-track investments in renewable sources of energy like solar power, wind power and advanced biofuels, and those are the investments I will make as president."

Arizona Sen. John McCain, Republican presidential candidate, on Gore's goals for more wind and solar power: "There may be some aspects of climate change that he and I are in disagreement (on)," but "if the vice president says it's doable, I believe it's doable."

T. Boone Pickens, Texas oilman and wind-power booster: "Former Vice President Al Gore put forward a framework of a plan that is focused on global warming and climate issues. ... My plan is aimed squarely at breaking the stranglehold that foreign oil has on our country. We import 70 percent of our oil, and that number is growing larger every year. Vice President Gore's plan does not address this enormous problem."

Jim Owen, spokesman for Edison Electric Institute: "We cannot do the job with renewables and energy efficiency alone. We have to have a balanced energy portfolio that includes all those things in even higher percentages, but also has to include nuclear. And we frankly think that nuclear should be increased."

Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif.: "The vice president's main effort is to mobilize the American people behind meaningful action and less talk about global warming."

Gene Karpinski, League of Conservation Voters president: "It's a very aggressive, bold, comprehensive proposal, and it's great to challenge the politicians to go where they need to go."

Former Rep. Bob Barr, Libertarian presidential candidate: "None of us can walk away from this issue without agreeing with him that we do have a very serious problem, and it's only going to get worse unless we do something about it. ... I hope to be a part of that, and I would like to see the free market take the lead, not the government."

Rep. Jay Inslee, D-Wash.: "It pointed out that the only way we have a chance to drive down oil prices is if we become free of the slavery of oil. If we can give Americans choices of electrical cars or ... biodiesel cars, then and only then do we have a chance of dealing with this cost issue. That is why $4-a-gallon gas is not an enemy of action, it's an ally of action."

IMO, we need to promote a more balanced portfolio of energy sources in this country (as has already been touted in your article). Naturally, that would relieve some, and hopefully enough of the dependence on petroleum. Diversity, I believe is the answer. If any one thing goes South, we have the other sources to fall back on. It should allow us to back off from foreign suppliers, and use our own production. The appropriate technology in the appropriate places, as not everything will work everywhere.
AND, T. Boone Pickens is not an idiot. I have some info someone emailed me, but it is lengthy and I have not read it yet.
For what it's worth, I am investigating alternatives for myself (as in converting my vehicles I currently have).
Possibly, the bio-diesel, Hydrogen, and Propane assist to determine if it's just smoke and mirrors, or has some merit.

I would have to say to Al............lead by example


So is he announcing that he's painting his private jet green...or one of his houses that use more energy than most towns?

So is he announcing that he's painting his private jet green...or one of his houses that use more energy than most towns?

You guys are totally right. Let's just ignore this issue because Gore's house uses a lot of energy and keep powering the country with fossil fuels.

You guys are totally right. Let's just ignore this issue because Gore's house uses a lot of energy and keep powering the country with fossil fuels.

Word. Kind of retarded to discredit Gore on that basis. He's a user of energy just like the rest of us. But more than anything, he's preaching on the SOURCE of the energy to meet our demand, not preaching that we all live in caves.

Just curious, have you guys done anything at home to be more green?

I've swapped out nearly all of my light bulbs for compact fluorescents. I noticed a difference in my electric bill right away. My wife and I are also more conscious of keeping unnecessary lights off. I also keep my heat and a/c running strong with yearly tune ups and frequent changes of the air filter. And I installed a programmable thermostat when I first moved in.

Just curious, have you guys done anything at home to be more green?

I've swapped out nearly all of my light bulbs for compact fluorescents. I noticed a difference in my electric bill right away. My wife and I are also more conscious of keeping unnecessary lights off. I also keep my heat and a/c running strong with yearly tune ups and frequent changes of the air filter. And I installed a programmable thermostat when I first moved in.

Well, I say I'm going to do a lot of that stuff, particularly switching out my light bulbs, but admittedly have not. Um, I use reusable grocery bags though.

well, the drilling in alaska they're talking about has NOTHING there... just barren ice, so i don't think that's a big deal... i'm not sure about the florida or california offshore stuff though.

and going green isn't a bad idea, but plug in electric cars use batteries, like hybrids do, which create a bigger environmental impact than driving a 13mpg hummer around all day. batteries are NOT eco-friendly.

the first step is a better battery, which really hasn't change in over 3000 years. they just figured out those nano-fiber channel deals though, so expediting that would prove a huge boost towards both reducing energy costs and reducing environmental impact.