Survey: Al Gore's Moon Shot Speech- Is Anybody Listening?
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 07.18.08
It is a terrific, powerful barnburner of a speech that connected the economic, environmental and national security dots. Al Gore issues a challenge: to commit to producing 100 percent of our electricity from renewable energy and truly clean carbon-free sources within 10 years.
But will anyone take him up on it?
(Robot no-life spammers talking about "Algore" growing rich and lying about his private jet use in three...two...)
I particularly like the bit about "the stone age didn't end because of a lack of stones"
It's time for America to be innovative again. We need to lead the curve and right now there are tiny little countries doing much MUCH more then we are.
PS - We put a man on the moon and robots on Mars! Compared to that, wind and solar should be a walk in the park.
US might do it within 10 years AFTER the whole other world has done it. When will that happen, I don't know.
both a) AND b)... It may be too much, too fast, and too expensive, but that doesn't mean that it's not still a vision we can rally behind. Sure, we won't make it to 100% in ten years, but if we try to, we'll get a whole lot further than if we didn't.
There are currently enough solar power plant permits waiting for approval to power the entire state of California and then some. The market is driving in the right direction and has been for a few years now. Most large scale wind power manufacturers have 1-3 year waiting lists. This gas bag going around trying to make a name for himself is just irritating.
He will probably try to take credit for it when we do have a completely sustainable electric grid (after all he did invent the internet).
Well said, Erin.
Erin is right, a) is totally true: we can, the possibility is totally doable. But most likely, b) we won't, unless we manage to find some REALLY good government leadership.
why doesnt it bother people that int he 8 years he had as VP he didnt do anything for energy or the environmnet. so why all the sudden does he care
i believe al gore is totally wrong. for short term drill everywhere get cost of fuel back down where a person dont have to chose whether driving to the store or buying something to eat. how am i going to get to work? grand prairie texas has no mass transit, plus wife works where we live, taxi to dallas dart is 40.00, or 80.00 per day times 5 days a week, or 400.00 per week. with high fuel costs jobs are lost, but the dem party wants people to be dependent on government. so i see where he is coming from. Long term suport tax encentives for research into wind, solar none which are ready for totally taking over from oil. 100 years ago oil was just starting to be used, 100 years from now who knows what we will be useing, but will bet money what ever big al subjests will be a lost thought.