Below is Al Gore’s speech that he gave January 29, 2009 at the Senate panel on climate change that was organized by Senator Kerry. Sentences are put into bold by MW.

We are here today to talk about how we as Americans and how the United States of America as part of the global community should address the dangerous and growing threat of the climate crisis.

We have arrived at a moment of decision. Our home – Earth – is in grave danger. What is at risk of being destroyed is not the planet itself, of course, but the conditions that have made it hospitable for human beings.

Moreover, we must face up to this urgent and unprecedented threat to the existence of our civilization at a time when our country must simultaneously solve two other worsening crises. Our economy is in its deepest recession since the 1930s. And our national security is endangered by a vicious terrorist network and the complex challenge of ending the war in Iraq honorably while winning the military and political struggle in Afghanistan.

As we search for solutions to all three of these challenges, it is becoming clearer that they are linked by a common thread – our dangerous over-reliance on carbon-based fuels. (more…)

After 2 years of planning, IRENA’s founding conference will be held today in Bonn, Germany.

Irena - the International Renewable Energy Agency - will be the driving force for promoting renewable energies in all UN countries. The first time in human history, renewable energies will be the focus of an international governmental agency. The founding of this new agency gives the urgency of the energy and climate crisis a new face - the face of hope and possibilities, and the face of trust and cooperation. It will help bridge the gap between rich and poor countries, as IRENA is going to offer support to both industrialized and developing nations.

Its main tasks will be (more…)

A new research report was just published, “Saving Energy at Home and on the Road: A survey of Americans’ energy saving behaviors, intentions, motivations, and barriers.” The report is based on a nationally representative survey of more than 2,000 Americans conducted in October and November.

In short, the study found that many Americans are ready, willing and able to save energy at home and when they travel. (more…)

Reprinted with permission from e360 Yale Environment

Environmentalists offer the president-elect their advice on the priorities he should set for his administration.

Yale Environment 360 asked a wide-ranging group of environmental activists, scientists, and thinkers to answer the following question: If you were advising Barack Obama, what would you tell him are the most important environmental and energy initiatives that he should launch during his first 100 days?

Although the respondents — including entrepreneur Paul Hawken, Rajendra Pachauri of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, activist Van Jones, and green investing leader Mindy Lubber — represent a broad range of interests, they were largely in agreement on how best to solve the current economic and environmental challenges. Basically, they agree that weaning the country off fossil fuels and onto renewable sources of energy is the single best way to rebuild the U.S. economy; that Obama must use all the tools at his disposal — from invoking the Clean Air Act for regulating greenhouse gas emissions to persuading the new Congress to put a price on carbon — to tackle climate change and spur the move to alternative energy; that under an Obama administration the United States must lead in forging a new global climate change treaty; and that, given the rapidity of global warming, Obama must be made fully aware of the “scary” scientific facts — as environmentalist Bill McKibben puts it — and move with a sense of urgency. (more…)

Finally! The EPA is showing leadership in environmental protection at a scale appropriate for this important federal US agency.

In a move that signals the start of the our clean energy future,  the Environmental Protection Agency’s Environmental Appeals Board (EAB) ruled today EPA had no valid reason for refusing to limit carbon dioxide emissions from new coal-fired power plants.  The decision means that all new and proposed coal plants nationwide must go back and address their carbon dioxide emissions.

“Today’s decision opens the way for meaningful action to fight global warming and is a major step in bringing about a clean energy economy,” said Joanne Spalding, Sierra Club Senior Attorney who argued the case. “This is one more sign that we must begin repowering,  refueling and rebuilding America.” (more…)

You would like to see your commitment and efforts in sustainable energy recognized at European level and have a chance of being rewarded during a prestigious ceremony in the presence of high-ranking EC’s Officials? Join the Sustainable Energy Europe Award Competition now and become an ambassador of European excellence in sustainable energy. (more…)

Scientists mimic essence of plants’ energy storage system. However, this discovery seems to be not quite as amazing as described, as is described on The Oil Drum.

In a revolutionary leap that could transform solar power from a marginal, boutique alternative into a mainstream energy source, MIT researchers have overcome a major barrier to large-scale solar power: storing energy for use when the sun doesn’t shine.

Until now, solar power has been a daytime-only energy source, because storing extra solar energy for later use is prohibitively expensive and grossly inefficient. With today’s announcement, MIT researchers have hit upon a simple, inexpensive, highly efficient process for storing solar energy. (more…)

On July 24, in just 5 days, Barack Obama will meet Angela Merkel in Berlin. Let’s take this meeting as a historical chance to encourage both of them to step forward courageously and independently of the pressure from fossil fuel industries to develop an electricity future based on 100% renewables as Al Gore recently suggested.

We do not have time to wait for the world. What is needed are courageous steps of a few countries to show the world that 100% renewables ARE possible. (more…)

Al Gore’s speech today is way too important to try to rephrase it in my own words. Please take the time to read it yourself - and see how it might apply to your own country. Al Gore is giving us great material to pressure politicians all over the world for immediate actions to end coal. You can also watch the entire speech on YouTube.

Ladies and gentlemen:

There are times in the history of our nation when our very way of life depends upon dispelling illusions and awakening to the challenge of a present danger. In such moments, we are called upon to move quickly and boldly to shake off complacency, throw aside old habits and rise, clear-eyed and alert, to the necessity of big changes. Those who, for whatever reason, refuse to do their part must either be persuaded to join the effort or asked to step aside. This is such a moment. The survival of the United States of America as we know it is at risk. And even more - if more should be required - the future of human civilization is at stake. (more…)

Efforts to harness the energy potential of Earth’s ocean winds could soon gain an important new tool: global satellite maps from NASA. Scientists have been creating maps using nearly a decade of data from NASA’s QuikSCAT satellite that reveal ocean areas where winds could produce energy.

The new maps have many potential uses including planning the location of offshore wind farms to convert wind energy into electric energy. (more…)