Finally, Al is tapping into the power of advertising. The news just came out of a $300 million ad campaign on global warming set to start next week. The campaign is the product of the Alliance for Climate Protection, Al Gore‘s organization. According to 60 Minutes,
Some of the ads will feature unlikely alliances to drive home the message that people of all stripes are concerned about global warming. These include the Rev. Al Sharpton and the Rev. Pat Robertson, Toby Keith and the Dixie Chicks, and Nancy Pelosi and Newt Gingrich.
This seems just an awareness campaign to drive home the fact that global warming is to be taken seriously. Unless it is followed by a more action-oriented campaign, I doubt very much that it will do much to change people’s habits. Most people do not doubt the seriousness of global warming. The real problem lies more in how to move them to make changes.
La Marguerite 
Great!
This is great news, and I look forward to seeing the campaign.
I agree that this campaign, alone, will not be sufficient. But, given the understanding that must be conveyed, and given the changes necessary, every little bit helps.
It will be interesting to see whether this is mainly awareness-building and “importance-building” or whether it also includes some positive vision for the new future, some information about solutions, some mention of the important linkage between tackling global warming and creating green jobs, and so forth. But, of course, one campaign can’t do all things.
That said, this is welcome news. It will also set a more public and positive context, hopefully, for other initiatives.
Cheers.
Agree, Jeff. This is all part of throwing coins in the coffee cup, slowly slowly, over time, it all makes a difference. many years. IF it’s not too late….
Someone To Thank!
Hi everyone.
According to a recent NY Times article, Governor Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas recently vetoed a bill that would have revived two coal-fired power plant projects that would have produced “up to 11 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions.”
(See the article “Kansas Governor Vetoes Bill To Revive 2 Coal-Fired Plants”, by Felicity Barringer, in the Times.)
In my view, Governor Sebelius deserves A LOT of thanks and some moral support. The public phone number of the Governor’s office is 1-877-579-6757.
Also, FYI, the Governor’s home page is here: http://www.governor.ks.gov/
According to the home page, she has also established a group to reduce CO2.
Thank you Governor Sebelius!
Jeff Huggins
Los Gatos, California
A reporter friend writes: “just finished a 4-pt series on psychology of change for climate and came up with three basic principles climate safe living as solution. R.E.D.
Reduce.
Eliminate.
Demand. (as in demand changes)
should be published next wk. will give you a heads up.
Marguerite, I hope you’ve already contacted them and volunteered your talents…
You’re right, there is no shortage of things we could do…
The other morning I took a drive at dawn (unusual for me) and noticed a ton of lights burning in office towers. I doubt there were many people there working….likely the cleaning crew left the lights on. What about a multi-lingual campaign from the property owners telling the crews to turn off the lights and why it is important….The black balloons…maybe giving them a bonus if all the lights are off (after all the owner will pay less in energy costs).
I know 90% is a huge figure, but we need to start somewhere…and there is so much more we can do — and easily!!
[…] 29, 2008 by lamarguerite Ad Age released more information today on Al Gore’s advertising campaign, scheduled to start on April […]
Jeff, thanks for the link to Governor Sebelius’s site. This is encouraging. People are doing things, all over the place. Last night, I had dinner with a VC friend who shared with me some very exciting initiatives taking place in the solar/water sector, here in Silicon Valley. Policy, technology, national ad campaign, . . . There is a whole movement taking place.
Dan, I will be curious to read your friend’s take on the psychology of climate change.
Lynn, last night I tried out my new Flip Ultra camcorder and took a short video of all the lights on on the Stanford campus during the day. I will have it on YouTube later today . . .
[…] 31, 2008 by lamarguerite From the Washington Post, more details on the Alliance for Climate Protection’s $300 million “we” […]