Monday, December 8, 2008

Obama, Gore set to meet tomorrow in Chicago

In the meeting tomorrow, I hope Gore makes it clear to Obama/Biden that clean coal is NOT an option to solve our energy crisis. Even better, I hope he explains to President-elect Obama that "clean coal" is actually an oxymoron. There is no such thing as clean coal. It does not exist. It is not a viable option for our energy strategy. Lay the smackdown, Gore. Go get 'em.

I don't expect Gore to take a position in the Obama administration, he's stated several times that he's a "recovering politician" and that he has no interest in becoming the "Climate Czar" or returning to politics. Nevertheless, I believe it's important for Gore to stay involved in the political debate surrounding global warming and energy policy. I mean, he did win an Oscar. Obviously, the man's a climate genius.

There are still 150 coal fired power plants on the drawing board in the U.S. If just one of those plants are built, it will completely "negate in just eight months, California’s recently passed legislation that would cut GHG emissions in new cars by 25 percent and SUVS by 18 percent starting in 2009."

If you don't believe me already, take a look at the Rainforest Action Network's Global Finance campaign, it has a bunch of details about the truth behind "clean coal."

Oh, and if Obama doesn't listen to Gore tomorrow, come with me to Washington, D.C. Feb 27-March 2 for Power Shift 2009, to help me (and the 10,000 other young people at the climate summit) make it crystal clear to our politicians: NO COAL.