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Gore in $300m climate campaign
01/04/2008 09:09 - (SA)
Nashville, Tennessee - Former US vice-president Al Gore has launched a three-year, multimillion dollar advocacy campaign calling for the US to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.
The Alliance for Climate Protection's "we" campaign will combine advertising, online organising and partnerships with grassroots groups to educate the public about global warming and urge solutions from elected officials.
A slick advertising campaign will equate the climate-change movement with other grand historic endeavours, like stopping fascism in Europe during World War II, overcoming segregation in the United States and putting the first man on the moon.
"We're trying to get a movement happening to switch public opinion so that our leaders feel, 'Wow! We really need to make this a top priority issue,"' Alliance CEO Cathy Zoi told The Associated Press on Monday.
The Alliance will initially spend $300m over three years, although Zoi said more could be spent in the future.
Energy independence, security too
Although Gore is a Democrat, prominent Republicans also serve on the alliance's board of directors.
"This is not only an environmental issue. It's an issue of energy independence and it's an issue of national security," said Lee Thomas, head of the Environmental Protection Agency under President Ronald Reagan. "We need to all come together on this and the time to move on it is now, not later."
Some of the money comes from Gore, who Zoi said contributed all his personal profits from the book and movie, An Inconvenient Truth, a $750 000 award from his share of the Nobel Peace Prize and a personal matching gift. She declined to provide the total amount.
"When politicians hear the American people calling loud and clear for change, they'll listen," Gore said in a statement. Gore's staff did not immediately respond to calls seeking further comment.
Many don't know what to do about climate change
Zoi says research suggests that many Americans are concerned about climate change but don't know what to do about it.
The "we" campaign website hopes to change that by offering ideas on conserving energy at home and work and guidance for those who want to do more, like writing to their elected officials.
"Some steps can be taken by individuals, but the biggest, most important decisions are going to be coming from government and corporate leaders," Zoi said. " ... We need to have people saying, 'We want you to take bold steps."'
The campaign is also working through partnerships with groups like the Girl Scouts. The group's 2.7 million members will take a climate action pledge and the Alliance will provide them with kits offering suggestions for projects they can do in their neighbourhoods.
www.wecansolveit.org
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