World Wildlife Fund

WASHINGTON, July 17, 2008 – Former Vice President Al Gore today called upon the United States to embark on a path toward energy independence by committing to generate 100 percent of its electricity from clean, domestic, non-emitting energy sources, such as solar, wind and geothermal. Dr. Richard Moss, vice president for climate change at World Wildlife Fund (WWF), issued the following statement in response to the Gore vision:

“Vice President Gore has outlined a bold vision to make our country – indeed our planet – cleaner, more prosperous and more secure. The challenges we face have never been greater. Nor has our need for inspired leadership. His vision provides a means of addressing the deepening economic, security, and environmental crisis that threatens the very basis of our well-being.

“We can solve the climate crisis and make our country energy independent as long as we have the leadership and the will. At issue is not whether we can generate a full 100 percent of our electricity from renewable sources in exactly 10 years. At issue is whether we have the political will to enact in the next one to two years the policies and measures to set in motion the investments needed to put us on that path.

“The issues are too urgent and consequential to wait. We urge the President, the presidential candidates, and Congress to immediately convene an energy summit to agree on and enact needed legislation and measures to get started in realizing this objective.”

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NOTE TO EDITORS:
Vice President Gore’s speech is available online at http://www.wecansolveit.org/content/pages/304/.