Can We Save the Planet and Rescue the Economy at the Same Time? -- By Al Gore

[Dover]

Nov/Dec Issue

There are times in the history of our nation when our very way of life depends upon dispelling illusions and awakening to the challenge of a present danger. In such moments, we are called upon to move quickly and boldly to shake off complacency, throw aside old habits, and rise, clear-eyed and alert, to the necessity of big changes. Those who, for whatever reason, refuse to do their part must either be persuaded to join the effort or asked to step aside. This is such a moment. The survival of the United States as we know it is at risk. And even more—if more should be required—the future of human civilization is at stake.

..snip..

Of course there are those who will tell us this can't be done. Some are the defenders of the status quo, those with a vested interest in perpetuating the current system, no matter how high a price the rest of us will have to pay. But even those who reap the profits of the carbon age have to recognize the inevitability of its demise. As one opec oil minister observed, the Stone Age didn't end because of a shortage of stones.

We should speed up this transition by insisting that the price of carbon-based energy include the costs of the environmental damage it causes. I have long supported a sharp reduction in payroll taxes with the difference made up in CO2 taxes. We should tax what we burn, not what we earn. This is the single most important policy change we can make.

America's transition to renewable energy sources must also include adequate provisions to assist those Americans who would unfairly face hardship. We should guarantee good jobs in the fresh air and sunshine for any coal miner displaced by impacts on the coal industry.

To those who argue that we do not yet have the technology to accomplish these results: I ask them to come with me to meet the entrepreneurs who will drive this revolution. To those who say the costs are still too high: I ask them to remember that when demand for oil and coal increases, the price goes up. When demand for solar cells increases, the price often comes down. To those who say the challenge is not politically viable: I suggest they go before the American people and try to defend the status quo. Then bear witness to the people's appetite for change...>

http://www.motherjones.com/news/feature/2008/11/can-we-save-the-planet.html

[MelissaB]

1. K&R

Great article!

[kristopher]

2. You betcha! Drill baby drill

And then put a wind turbine tower in the hole.

[Nihil]

3. Good slogan (necessary for the masses with a short attention span):

> We should tax what we burn, not what we earn.

:thumbsup:

K & R

[The2ndWheel]

4. No

"the Stone Age didn't end because of a shortage of stones"

No it didn't. We've also never decreased our impact on the environment by increasing our ability to extract more energy from the environment.

"The survival of the United States as we know it is at risk."

The United States has never been sustainable, especially as we know it.

[Doodler71]

5. K&R

:dem: