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In a recent speech, Al Gore issued a challenge to the United States similar to one issued by JFK many years ago. But instead of saying that America could put a man on the moon in 10 years, Al Gore challenges policymakers and the American public to adopt policies and practices that will allow us use 100% carbon-free energy in the next ten years.
You can watch the entire video of Al Gore's Carbon-Free challenge, and sign the corresponding petition if you wish.
I would love to think that we could do this, and as usual Gore makes a compelling argument for why we need to do it (to improve national security, improve the economy--renewable energy has the potential to create a lot of jobs in a whole new industry--, and of course to protect the environment and slow down global warming).
But even more compelling are the ways he suggests we can do it. A number I've heard before that he quotes here is that we could, as a nation, reduce our energy consumption by 30% by efficiency alone! That's huge. It means turning off lights, switching to CFLs, and buying more efficient appliances, which so many folks are already doing. He also mentions improvements to the aging energy grid--another place for potentially huge increases in efficiency.
As with so many noble causes, what Gore is calling for is a major cultural shift away from dirty energy and toward clean. I want so badly to believe this is possible, but I'm just not sure if we are committed enough and whether companies and the government are interested enough to make it happen. What do you think?
