Al Gore did a fabulous job yesterday, of nailing down the three key environmental challenges facing our country.
First, is the interdependence between climate crisis, economy, and national security.
And it just so happens that the climate crisis is intertwined with the other two great challenges facing our nation: reviving our economy and strengthening our national security. The solutions to all three require us to end our dependence on carbon-based fuels.
Second, is the need to use a multi solutions approach, not forgetting to include conservation in the mix -I would love to think that Al read my earlier criticism . . . 🙂
Instead of letting lobbyists and polluters control our destiny, we need to invest in American innovation. Almost a hundred years ago, Thomas Edison said, “I’d put my money on the sun and solar energy. What a source of power! I hope we don’t have to wait until oil and coal run out before we tackle that.” We already have everything we need to use the sun, the wind, geothermal power, conservation and efficiency to solve the climate crisis—everything, that is, except a president who inspires us to believe, “Yes we can.”
Third, is exposing the hold of the big oil and coal interests on the Republican party, and on the media, and the risk we run if we elect another Republican president.
So how did this no-brainer become a brain-twister? Because the carbon fuels industry—big oil and coal—have a 50-year lease on the Republican Party and they are drilling it for everything it’s worth. And this same industry has spent a half a billion dollars this year alone trying to convince the public they are actually solving the problem, when they are in fact making it worse every single day.
Well said, Al!
La Marguerite 
I finally decided to write a comment on your blog. I just wanted to say good job. I really enjoy reading your posts.
Al Gore is a hero! I am always spellbound by his speeches. This speech was so bittersweet. I felt heartbreak– dammit, he should have been our president these past eight years! And I felt such admiration and pride, too, for all he’s doing for the health of the planet; his legacy is perhaps even greater and more important than had he been president. Life is strange that way.
Thank you for all your good work, Marguerite!
Bravo! BRAVO! I’m immersed in busy-ness this week so can’t say much more than that for now. But . . . BRAVO!
Oh, one question: What does LaMarguerite think about the Gov. of Alaska, at least from a climate/energy standpoint?
Cheers to all.
Susie, thanks for reminding us of the importance of casting the right ballot in November, and of mobilizing all our friends to vote. Every single vote counts.
Jeff, did that answer your question? – I will be writing a post about Mrs Palin . . .
Let’s see if middle America gets it. We so need to increase education standards so people can process this information correctly. I feel like ignorance is the great enemy.
Yes, Goeff. That’s where a well understood mass media campaign could bridge the gap. So far, it hasn’t happened. At least, not from the “we” end. That leaves the opportunity wide opened for such an initiative. I have been advocating for the formation of a coalition of volunteer media professionals to launch such a campaign.
[…] you Al Gore fans, Lamarguerite wrote a great article that sums up three of Al Gore’s points about the environmental […]