AL Gore:"terrific and historic speech, by far the best address on climate by any president ever"

[cal04]

This was a terrific and historic speech, by far the best address on climate by any president ever.

I applaud the new measures announced by President Barack Obama this afternoon to help solve the climate crisis – particularly the decision to limit global warming pollution from existing as well as new power plants.

Following the important pledges he made in both his inaugural address and State of the Union speech earlier this year, and the historic gains in renewable energy and fuel efficiency that the President delivered in his first term, the policy changes he announced today represent important steps forward in the battle to halt catastrophic climate disruption. Most importantly, President Obama has directed the Environmental Protection Agency to establish regulations on the amount of global warming pollution existing fossil fuel plants can pour into our atmosphere.

This action – if followed by skillful and thorough execution of the plan – has the potential to fundamentally alter the course of our nation’s energy infrastructure development and help to promote a sustainable future. On the international front, this action will bolster U.S. credibility and moral authority in negotiations with other countries.

After the country’s hottest year on record, the record melting of the arctic ice cap and disruption of the Northern Hemisphere jet stream and storm track, a crippling drought and hundreds of billions of dollars worth of damage from climate-related extreme weather events over just the past two years, we are already paying the price of carbon pollution. It is clear that bold and comprehensive action is needed now.

President Obama’s proposals are in keeping with the current political reality; inaction and denial have consumed Congress. But the climate crisis requires a new political reality: one marked by a willingness to accept solutions commensurate with the challenge.

I hope the president will make this challenge a centerpiece of his leadership in his remaining three and a half years in office. The hard truth is that the maximum that now seems politically feasible still falls short of the minimum necessary to actually solve the climate crisis. Continued and constant use of the bully pulpit, determined follow-through on the steps announced today, and additional steps in the months ahead can change the political reality and build a bipartisan consensus for the broader changes that are needed urgently.

As President Obama said today, history will judge the present generation by our success or failure in meeting and surmounting this existential challenge.

So I urge the nation to follow President Obama’s lead and take the positive steps he announced today, but to keep fighting. We’ve got a lot more work to do.


http://blog.algore.com/2013/06/statement_on_president_obamas_1.html

[BeyondGeography]

1. Crickets

...Obama did something good? Nah.

[Uncle Joe]

3. You're mighty quick on the draw, three minutes after the thread started.

[temmer]

10. The military intelligence complex is the planet's biggest enemy

The planet will tolerate that climate change is not top news for a couple of weeks if we manage to dismantle NSAFBICIADHSDNI.

[temmer]

12. OK - let's the FBI finish up with the Keystone XL felons

but will they do it?

[temmer]

14. and the NSA should target the fracking felons

[NoOneMan]

28. Industrial civilization is the planet's biggest enemy

The MIC purpose is to allow the most powerful industrial economies to consolidate resources and accelerate their growth. Its a tool for destruction, but not the source of it.

[lastlib]

33. aka "KGWB"

(think "KGB" - "GWB" together.....)

[OnyxCollie]

18. Obama gives good speeches. nt

[Cha]

49. How would you know?

[xtraxritical]

55. Cogito ergo sum.

[Uncle Joe]

2. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, cal.

[Skidmore]

4. K&R

[Whisp]

5. k&r

[lapfog_1]

6. apparently everyone on DU

is so busy hating everything the President says or does that they are busy finding fault with word choice in a major speech on Climate.

And no endorsement by even Al Gore is going to change their opinions.

[AgingAmerican]

9. No, it won't change anyones opinion

of NSA or any of that rot. It might sway their opinion of him in regards to climate change though.

[NoOneMan]

26. It won't change mine

The bottom line is that almost every elected politicians' worldview and conception of reality really limits them from promoting real solutions that will avert the sixth extinction. Frankly, I question that if anyone really "gets" it if 1) they would even run for office and 2) if they would even be a viable candidate. In the end, the solutions to the problems of the 21st century are not going to be coming out of our elected politicians, who still see the world through 20th century paradigms. Theyll say all the right things to a moronic population to toe the line, keep order, and make sure their party remains in office--perhaps no fault of their own since they probably just don't "get" it anyway.

[AgingAmerican]

45. Obama is a man of contradictions

He makes these speeches, then renames "Drill baby drill" to "All of the above" and implements it. Capitalism and solutions do not go hand in hand.

[carolinayellowdog]

13. why drag divisiveness into this thread?

especially with words like "everyone" and "hating"-- this is good news and should be accepted as such.

[ProSense]

15. Why

"why drag divisiveness into this thread?

especially with words like "everyone" and "hating"-- this is good news and should be accepted as such."


... "drag divisiveness" onto this board: http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=3090454

[freshwest]

46. Well, being a thread monitor is not a job for everyone.

MEOW!!

[ljm2002]

23. And where is your post agreeing with Al Gore on this?

Oh that's right: nowhere. Your only post in this thread is to chastise DUers for not doing ... the same thing you're not doing.

Idiotic.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

32. He can't win. If he doesn't say anything on climate change or "fill in the blank" issue...

...they complain that he is inadequately using the bully pulpit.

So, he gives a speech on climate change which outlines a plan and policy and STILL it's not good enough.

What chu gon' do?

[pampango]

34. Well said. Thanks. Plus when it comes to getting this plan/policy enacted into law,

there will be the question of whether he sticks to a "pure" plan (likely to be filibustered in the Senate or defeated in the House) or amends his "pure" plan to get something good, but imperfect, enacted into law and be accused of selling out.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

39. ...or my favorite charge "caving". The American people put the obstructionists in Congress.

The president is forced to work with intransigent people, hellbent on destroying his presidency and his legacy.

[jimlup]

52. You most of us are capable of reasoning ourselves

and we realize that all-or-none thinking is flawed. We can dislike some of the President's policies while simultaneously supporting others. It really isn't rocket science. It is called "thinking for yourself."

[great white snark]

8. K&R

[NOVA_Dem]

16. Seems like a boilerplate statement from Gore.

PO has always been good with words...it's the DEEDS where we need some improvement. I think he's trying pretty up his choice to eventually approve the Keystone Pipeline.

[ProSense]

17. Kick! n/t

[nineteen50]

19. Talk is cheep

corporate payback is deep. I will wait and see.

[Iliyah]

20. Good speech

good cause!

[n2doc]

21. Isn't Al a racist Hater who got tossed under the bus last week?

I can't keep track.


I do agree that it was a nice speech. Obama can give wonderful speeches when the occasion moves him.

[DevonRex]

37. bless your little heart

[n2doc]

41. And Bless you too!

[DevonRex]

44. I haven't sneezed yet.

I'm fixin' to though. My cat's in my lap.

[dionysus]

61. they try so very hard, don't they? to see the tiny fists flailing...

bless them for they try so hard.

care for a truffle?

[JI7]

51. he is continously tossed under the bus by the Nader whores

[ljm2002]

22. Glad to hear that Al Gore thinks the plan is a good one...

...I have not read it yet but am very hopeful and VERY glad that President Obama is directly addressing this issue.

K&R

[mhatrw]

24. Only if you don't include his own addresses. n/t

[Zoeisright]

48. What the fuck is that supposed to mean?

Oh, that sad right wing snark about Mr. Gore can't possibly be an environmentalist because he owns large houses? What a fucking stupid statement.

[frylock]

59. i took it to mean that Al Gore was our duly elected President in 2000

[octoberlib]

25. It was an excellent speech. Kudos! nt

[Lebam in LA]

27. His speeches are always good

or great even. His actions leave me deflated

[Cha]

50. Oh, like these actions?...

Obama Administration Record on the Environment

“Our attitude is if you take something out of the Earth, you have a responsibility to give a little bit back to the Earth. So these are the right steps to take for our environment. But they’re also the right steps to take for our country. They help spur the economy. They create jobs by putting more Americans back to work in tourism and recreation. They help inspire a new generation of scientists to learn how the world works. They help Americans stay healthier by making it easier to spend time outside.”

-President Barack Obama, February 16, 2011

Since taking office, President Obama has fought to protect the air we breathe, water we drink, and land that supports and sustains us. From saving lives by cleaning up air pollution to restoring ecosystems including the Chesapeake Bay and the Everglades, the Obama Administration is tackling our nation’s environmental challenges. The Obama Administration’s record supporting a healthier environment includes:

Improving Public Health by Limiting Harmful Pollution

Much More..
http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/docs/environment_record.pdf

[dkf]

29. "this action will bolster U.S. credibility and moral authority in negotiations with other countries"

Sigh.

[limpyhobbler]

30. meh. History will judge his actions more so than his words.

Talking the talk =/= walking the walk.

Words - deeds = bullshit.

Anyways he doesn't really propose the kinds of solutions we need. We need to mobilize all resources now, to make a transition to a sustainable way of life. Something on the scale of what we did during World War II.

Oil, coal, and gas exports are still accelerating. We're becoming a carbon footprint exporter.

Obama doesn't talk about the kind of big changes we really need, and fast, if we want to continue any kind of decent living on this planet.

[ProSense]

31. Yes,

"meh. History will judge his actions more so than his words."

...it will.

Is Obama the ‘environmental president’?
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022807236

This new plan adds to that.

[sulphurdunn]

35. Is the Pope a Protestant?

[Major Hogwash]

58. Jesus! That would be a hellova change!

I just hope that you're not hoping for that.

<--- He's saying "Obama!!"

[sulphurdunn]

62. Naw,

he wouldn't make a good televangelist.

[hatrack]

42. Today, in year 5 of his presidency, the rollout and the outline of the policy

One more year for EPA to set specific enforcement standards, rules and regulations, in consultation with stakeholders and following public comment period.

One more year after that for the final rules to go into effect.

So, in short, more than six full years between inauguration and the implementation of a federal climate policy (that is, a policy other than business as usual mixed with greenwashing).

Six years we didn't have to fart around in, six years during which global carbon emissions continued to grow, six years marked by the lowest Arctic sea ice extent on record and the lowest Arctic sea ice volume on record, six years during which global atmospheric CO2 content touched 400, and by the end of which period, will settle above 400, and will never fall below it during the lifetimes of anyone on this website.

Don't get me wrong - there's some good ideas in the outline (which I've flown through once) and at least he's trying. But we're already pushing year 4.5 in the absence of meaningful action, and we didn't have all that much time left to deal with this to start with.

[ProSense]

47. Well,

"Today, in year 5 of his presidency, the rollout and the outline of the policy...Six years we didn't have to fart around in, six years during which global carbon emissions continued to grow, six years marked by the lowest Arctic sea ice extent on record and the lowest Arctic sea ice volume on record, six years during which global atmospheric CO2 content touched 400, and by the end of which period, will settle above 400, and will never fall below it during the lifetimes of anyone on this website."

...interesting math, but I have to disagree on the "fart around" claim.

Lisa Jackson to Leave EPA: Earthjustice Statement

Statement from Earthjustice Vice President of Litigation Patti Goldman:

“America owes Lisa Jackson a debt of gratitude for her work to protect the public's health from polluters and their allies in Congress. For her efforts to clean up pollution and better protect the environment and public health, she faced a steady barrage from members of Congress and the industrial polluters who back them. Her detractors are the same people who told us taking lead out of gasoline in the 1970's would break the economy and that taking acid out of acid rain in the 1990's would ruin the country. In both cases, the environment and economy were strengthened and this is the approach Lisa Jackson took. There is a lot of unfinished business started by Jackson that the next EPA director will need to attend to. Whoever it is, they'll need the support of the President and they'll need to be ready for a non-stop barrage of attacks from the chemical, industrial and fossil fuel industries and their allies in Congress.

“After 17 years of Earthjustice litigation it was Lisa Jackson who finally regulated mercury and other toxic pollutants coming from power plants. After a decade of litigation from Earthjustice and others, it was Lisa Jackson who supported and implemented regulations aimed at curbing greenhouse gases. After more than a decade of Earthjustice litigation it was Lisa Jackson who finally implemented the first regulation of mercury from cement kilns all over the country.”

http://earthjustice.org/news/press/2012/lisa-jackson-to-leave-epa-earthjustice-statement

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022807236

[Orsino]

36. "Historic" and "by far the best"...

...are not necessarily the same thing as "terrific."

Show me the tar sands!

[okaawhatever]

38. Way to Go Mr. President. I've got your back. Now let's see if other dems andf

progressives follow suit.

[muriel_volestrangler]

40. Commentary by others

(posting here because this thread is getting by far the most recs of the climate threads):

Nicholas Stern, chair of the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment at London School of Economics and Political Science, said:

President Obama's speech was very clear on the scale of dangers posed by climate change and the responsibility of the United States and other countries to act. Recent experience shows that the United States can cut emissions and grow. The United States, with its technology and entrepreneurship, can lead this new low-carbon growth story. The president was right to place great emphasis on standards for cleaner power plants, accelerating renewables, energy efficiency standards in buildings, vehicles and appliances, and the importance of leadership by the public sector in implementing these standards. The president recognised as well the role of natural gas, but also saw it in a medium-term role and as bridge to cleaner technologies.
...

Jessy Tolkan, board member, 350.org and former executive director of Energy Action Coalition.

I've waited four years and 158 days to hear the president give this kind of speech on climate change. This is the kind of leadership my generation expected when we first elected, and then re-elected President Obama to office. This speech has been a long- and hard-time coming, but the president's plan outlines meaningful action that begins to meet our global and moral responsibility to address climate change. It's refreshing to see this second-term president finally step into his administrative powers and take the reigns in this fight.
...

Van Jones, co-founder Rebuild the Dream and former White House green jobs advisor, said:

I think there was an important development on the Keystone pipeline, and I think it's worth spending some time reading the tea leaves on that. I think the president gave a very encouraging wink and a nod to environmentalists on this issue. I think that if I were the head of TransCanada, I would have my head in my hands, and that if I were (climate activist) Bill McKibben I would have my fist in the air after that speech.
...

Bob Ward, policy and communications director at the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment at London School of Economics and Political Science, said:

President Obama's excellent speech laid out very clearly the choice that the American people face. A high-carbon economy and unmanaged global warming will create increasing risks from rising sea levels and changes in extreme weather, fundamentally undermining the prospects for future prosperity. But investing in a transition to a low-carbon economy offers a more secure and sustainable source of growth.
...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/blog/2013/jun/25/obama-climate-speech-expert-verdict

[grntuscarora]

43. For many, KXL is the cliffhanger.

So kill the Pipeline, Mr. President, then I'll know you're truly serious and I'll wave my pompoms.

Next, we can discuss fracking.


[IMG][/IMG]

[blkmusclmachine]

53. ACTIONS, not words.

And the WH has a well-established reputation of slick speeches, then total capitulation.

[Nanjing to Seoul]

54. Kill the Keystone Pipeline, reign in the industries like Koch Industries

and get the industrial sympathizers out of the regulatory agencies, replacing them with scientists and those with knowledge of the industries they are supposed to watchdog. . .then, and only then, President Obama, will I believe your speeches are worth praise. Words are cheap, sir.

[SHRED]

56. When he approves KXL these will be hollow words

[Scurrilous]

57. K & R

[malaise]

60. K & R

GObama!

[Admiral Loinpresser]

63. Fantastic news.

I hope he finally carries through on this. If he does, it will certainly change my view of him.