Al Gore's Nobel Lecture - "We must act."

[understandinglife]

The Nobel Lecture given by The Nobel Peace Prize Laureate 2007, Al Gore - Oslo, December 10, 2007

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Unexpectedly, that quest has brought me here. Even though I fear my words cannot match this moment, I pray what I am feeling in my heart will be communicated clearly enough that those who hear me will say, "We must act."

The distinguished scientists with whom it is the greatest honor of my life to share this award have laid before us a choice between two different futures - a choice that to my ears echoes the words of an ancient prophet: "Life or death, blessings or curses. Therefore, choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live."

We, the human species, are confronting a planetary emergency - a threat to the survival of our civilization that is gathering ominous and destructive potential even as we gather here. But there is hopeful news as well: we have the ability to solve this crisis and avoid the worst - though not all - of its consequences, if we act boldly, decisively and quickly.

However, despite a growing number of honorable exceptions, too many of the world's leaders are still best described in the words Winston Churchill applied to those who ignored Adolf Hitler's threat: "They go on in strange paradox, decided only to be undecided, resolved to be irresolute, adamant for drift, solid for fluidity, all powerful to be impotent."

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Link:

What will it take ....

[understandinglife]

1. "What were you thinking; why didn't you act?"

The great Norwegian playwright, Henrik Ibsen, wrote, "One of these days, the younger generation will come knocking at my door."

The future is knocking at our door right now. Make no mistake, the next generation will ask us one of two questions. Either they will ask: "What were you thinking; why didn't you act?"

Or they will ask instead: "How did you find the moral courage to rise and successfully resolve a crisis that so many said was impossible to solve?"

We have everything we need to get started, save perhaps political will,

Which, in_deed ...

[puebloknot]

8. "Why didn't you act?"

That question has been asked over and over and over, after WWII: Why didn't the Germans rise up and put an end to tyranny?

Now that question is before us over much more serious issues: Why didn't we act to save the very planet that sustains *all* life, without consideration of political or philosophical view.

[bleever]

2. Proud to give the first nomination.

What an impressive man, what a powerful vision.

Thanks for the post, UL. :hi:

[understandinglife]

3. Thank you ... and check this excellent post ...

As you know, I think Mr Gore must lead for the answer to be yes, globally. And, the most effective position for him to lead is as President of the United States - the next one!

:hi:

[AlGore-08.com]

4. Don't forget to sign Gore's petition demanding a new, meaningful climate treaty in 2010

http://www.climateprotect.org/standwithal

[ladjf]

5. The human race might be too dumb to survive. n/t

I believe that something environmental might be damaging our brains to the extent that a majority of the people are unable to think straight.

[Aristus]

6. After the events of 2007, it can probably be said that Al Gore is overqualified to be President.

Especially if you factor in the media-spawned sole remaining criterion for a Presidential candidate: that he be the kind of guy you want to sit down and have a beer with.

When I go to the polls, I'm not voting for a drinking buddy, I'm voting for a President. And it is abundantly clear that Al Gore has got way too much game to stoop to filling the now squalid little civil service position of POTUS.

[understandinglife]

7. R K Pachauri -- "Science tells us not only that the climate system is changing, ...

... but also that further warming and sea level rise is in store even if greenhouse gases were to be stabilized today. That is a consequence of the basic physics of the system. Social factors also contribute to our future, including the 'lock-in' due, for example, to today's power plants, transportation systems, and buildings, and their likely continuing emissions even as cleaner future infrastructure comes on line. So the challenge before us is not only a large one, it is also one in which every year of delay implies a commitment to greater climate change in the future.

Oslo, December 10, 2007

No escaping the consequences; merely a matter, now, of whether homo sapiens can avoid extinction.

[understandinglife]

9. Mr Gore, I look for a similar picture, from the steps of the US Capitol, Jan 2009.

Attribution: Foto: Sara Johannessen / SCANPIX

Be our next President, Mr Gore.

[lildreamer316]

10. AMEN. n/t

[Parche]

11. We must act

That is what I was told in Drama class..........:hi:

[understandinglife]

12. Report: "Political Interference with Climate Change Science under the Bush Administration."

http://oversight.house.gov/documents/20071210101633.pdf

Bush and the neoconsters are criminals of such vast scope it is truly difficult to grasp the magnitude of death and destruction they have caused and will continue to cause long after they are dead.

[Triana]

13. What it will take...

...GET RID of bu$hit and big oil - and his other cronies.

[understandinglife]

16. For starters ...

[RestoreGore]

14. So what are you doing to act?

[Kurovski]

15. K&R.

"This new consciousness requires expanding the possibilities inherent in all humanity. The innovators who will devise a new way to harness the sun's energy for pennies or invent an engine that's carbon negative may live in Lagos or Mumbai or Montevideo. We must ensure that entrepreneurs and inventors everywhere on the globe have the chance to change the world."

[DemReadingDU]

17. morning kick