Moment of Change: 80% by 2050

[be inspired]

Run time: 00:33 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxPul0tzCpI   Posted on YouTube: October 12, 2007 By YouTube Member: Views on YouTube: 0   Posted on DU: October 12, 2007 By DU Member: be inspired Views on DU: 628

 
#12 in the Moment of Change series. John Edwards was the first presidential candidate to commit to an 80% reduction in carbon emissions by the year 2050. The series will show John Edwards' ideas for transformational change, presented in clips of 2 minutes or less for the time-challenged.

More on John Edwards' global warming and energy plan here.

[Nederland]

1. I'm sorry

But "committing" to see something happen 42 years from now doesn't carry much weight with me. I'm far more interested in hearing what a candidate is going to do in their first 4 years as President, not idealitic predictions about what the country will look like long after they are dead.

[be inspired]

2. We have to get on track for that.

But the problem is, that's the amount that carbon needs to be reduced to avoid the worst effects of global warming, according to scientific predictions. So if the next president doesn't get us on track for that, it will be a much harder goal to reach. All the presidential candidates should be committing to this goal. Edwards committed to it back in March (this is a shorter version of a video that has been around for a while).

[ashlarah]

3. Edwards will do a lot to set in motion what is required

to see something happen 42 years from now. We will also see shorter term gains. Have you looked at Edwards' energy plan?

The Edwards Plan halts global warming, achieves energy independence and jumpstarts a new energy economy by:

Capping greenhouse gas pollution starting in 2010 with a cap-and-trade system, and reducing it by 15 percent by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050, as the latest science says is needed to avoid the worst impacts of global warming.

Leading the world to a new climate treaty that commits other countries—including developing nations—to reduce their pollution. Edwards will insist that developing countries join us in this effort, offering to share new clean energy technology and, if necessary, using trade agreements to require binding greenhouse reductions.

Creating a New Energy Economy Fund by auctioning off $10 billion in greenhouse pollution permits and repealing subsidies for big oil companies. The fund will support U.S. research and development in energy technology, help entrepreneurs start new businesses, invest in new carbon-capture and efficient automobile technology and help Americans conserve energy.

Meeting the demand for more electricity through efficiency for the next decade, instead of producing more electricity.

http://www.johnedwards.com/issues/energy/ These are things he will do in his first four years.

For more details:
http://www.johnedwards.com/issues/energy/new-energy-economy/

He can't wave a magic wand, but he will be a tough advocate for environmental standards that will be the model to follow throughout the world.