Former Vice President Al Gore has thrown down the environmental gauntlet to future lawmakers and energy policy wonks by saying the United States must end its reliance on carbon-fuelled electricity within the next ten years.
Photo: Pollution.Credit: Senor Codo/Flickr
Speaking at an energy conference in Washington, Gore said the failure to switch to renewable fuels for energy sources could risk national security.
“The survival of the United States of America as we know it is at risk,” Gore said. “The future of human civilization is at stake.”
Likening the effort needed to the one called for by President John F. Kennedy when he challenged the country to put a man on the moon before the end of the 1960s, Gore said the problems facing the country were large but not insurmountable.
"I don't remember a time in our country when so many things seemed to be going so wrong simultaneously," outlined Gore before adding that: "the answer is to end our reliance on carbon-based fuels."
During his conference comments, he called for wind and solar power to be developed to power the nation's electrical system in place of fossil fuels. And, seeming to anticipate reactionary criticism and ridicule over his proposal, Gore insisted the goal was “achievable, affordable and transformative.”
“It represents a challenge to all Americans, in every walk of life -- to our political leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators, engineers, and to every citizen.”
Gore also revealed that he has held numerous discussions with both presidential nominees Barack Obama (D) and John McCain (R) on the issue of global warming and the problems facing the country.
ALJul 18th, 2008 - 03:19:03
Even if it was possible, how does spending trillions of dollars replacing an already domestic source of energy (electricity from coal) solve our foreign energy dependence? If electric powered vehicles are going to be this nation's future transportation, we will need to dramatically increase base load generation. And for those of you who don't know, wind and solar cannot supply base load.
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