Al Gore Calls for “Civil Disobedience” to Stop Construction of New Coal-Fired Power Plants
New York, September 24, 2008- Mr. Gore’s attack on coal was clear and forceful. “Clean coal is like healthy cigarettes – it does not exist,” he said. But Gore also added that if we can sequester coal, than okay. But since the technology does not exist right now, we shouldn’t be pretending it is a solution.
Addressing attendees at the Clinton Global Initiative, Gore called on the young people in the United States to reject new coal-fired power plants. “It’s time for civil disobedience to stop the construction of new coal plants,” implored the former Vice-President.
After introductory remarks by former President Bill Clinton, Mayor of New York Michael Bloomberg, and cyclist Lance Armstrong, Al Gore launched a familiar-sounding polemic against carbon-based fuels with an intensified focus on the dishonest – and perhaps illegal – actions of the “carbon lobby.” Al Gore joined the discussion begun by the high-profile collection of heads of state, corporate leaders, and one very well-behaved rockstar/activist.
Joining Clinton on stage was former Vice-President Al Gore; the Queen of Jordan Rania Al-Abdullah; the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Coca-Cola, E. Neville Isdell; the President of Liberia, Ellent Johnson-Sirleaf, and Bono.
Gore takes on big carbon
Gore said for the carbon lobby to be trying to convince their stockholders that renewable energy is risky business and that climate change is a hoax, they are purporting a type of stock fraud that should be addressed by attorneys general across the country.
In terms of the regulatory and legislative actions that would move us towards de-carbonizing our energy infrastructure, Gore reiterated his support for a carbon tax that would move us away from an income tax. “Tax what we burn, not what we earn,” said Gore, to resounding applause.
When pushed by President Clinton to elaborate the quickest and most cost-effective way to utilize our vast renewable resources, Gore said that we need to start with expanding what he calls the “electranet.” A focus on expanding our renewable capacity would be centered on growing a smart grid – including an underground transmission infrastructure – that could and should be coupled with an expansion of this country’s lagging broadband infrastructure.
“This should be the number one infrastructure program in this country,” said Gore.
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Image credit: Tim Hurst
Al Gore is a dumb-ass.
Why don’t we all stand in front of his private plane so he can’t take off or disconnect power to his house?
Al Gore is an idiot.
23,000 people die in the UK every year as a result of the cold. It’s called Excess Winter Death, look it up. We have barely any gas left, and oil is quickly becoming unaffordable.
“Al Gore Calls for People To Buy Technology He Has Invested In. Environmentlist Idiots Think It’s Great”
On a less sarcastic note, this has nothing to do with global warming and everything to do with politics.
Does no-one else findn it suspicious that Global Warming became the world’s Number One Priority shortly after the Unocal Affair in 2005?
Wake up, people.
Where are you people coming from? Excess Winter Death?
Metyu, you contradict yourself. You may think that Gore is an idiot, but if we barely have any gas left, and oil is quickly becoming unaffordable, wtf do you suggest we do?
Bloomberg said today he’s glad oil prices are high, otherwise people might forget these lessons we’ve learned.
As for me, I’ve learned that Dem politicians conspire to keep oil prices artificially high, then gloat about it. Can’t believe there are any still being elected.
talk about harming the working family. Poor guy’s just trying to go to work and feed the kids and has to double his gasoline budget just in the two years the Dems have run congress?
Nobody knows how much oil AMerica has, but that’s because Dems have blocked even electronic exploration of key areas for decades. But it’s for sure we have more than the Saudis, and more than a lot of other countries too. This ’shortage’ and ’supply crunch’ is ENTIRELY artificial and entirely the Dems’ fault.
Hurricane came through the Gulf two weeks ago, over a dozen production platforms knocked down. ANyone hear of any spills? Anyone? Anyone?
modern technology prevents that. California SEEPS more oil into the water than was EVER spilled there, and the seepage could be stopped by strategically tapping the area to relieve the pressure.
They don’t care about the environment, only about political power. They don’t care about the poor, only about controlling you and your money.
“Where are you people coming from? Excess Winter Death?”
Much hysteria is brought up (here in the UK) about the excess sunmmer deaths of 2003, around 2000. It is claimed that global warming will make this more regular. But proponents tend to ignore that winter deaths are ten times higher.
http://www.statistics.gov.uk/cci/nugget.asp?id=574
“if we barely have any gas left, and oil is quickly becoming unaffordable, wtf do you suggest we do?”
I suggest we use our supplies of coal. I suggest that we discourage activists from civil disobedience. I suggest we get a grip here in the UK and let the experts get on with it.
I suggest we stop listening to Al Gore’s nonsense.
I’d suggest those with ears consider adapting to warming( obviously, it’s on the way) cooler winters
are only tempory. we have a challange to face? those who fail will likely perish, basicly trying to change
the dirrection of civilization is wasted energy.
you’l always have scoffers,
it’s likely that many will not surrvive ..
change is on the way .
I guess his little brattyness cant get over losing or at least being unable to steal the 2000 election what a sniveling patheic idiot a rich liberal demacratic spoiled brat he should have his two undeserved awards taken away
Al Gore is such an ignoramus, it’s surprising he came as close as he did to the presidency. How does he not know that civil disobedience is directed at the state, not private companies? When protesting the actions of a private company, a boycott is in effect. They are completely different, and in Gore’s ever widening attempts to blur the line between government and the private sector, he is spreading his abundant ignorance.
“Government is, at best, a necessary evil; at worst, an intolerable one”-Thomas Paine
Al Gore is intolerable.
Al Gore is informed, gutsy, energetic and dedicated – as are those who take up this call for civil disobedience in the face of dirty coal plants. (And as of now, *all* coal-fired plants are dirty to varying degrees.) You have my respect and gratitude. Thanks for putting the whole world ahead of your individual convenience.