GORE LIKES INDIA’S NEW ENERGY POTENTIAL

Speaking in New Delhi at the kickoff for his Climate Project in India, Al Gore acknowledged the right of developing nations like India to strive for a higher living standard but urged Indians to build their 21st century lifestyle on 21st century energy sources. He said India should not imitate the U.S.

Gore: "My country is the largest source of pollution and most responsible for creating the problem…" But he reminded his audience, "…India is highly vulnerable to the climate change crisis…"

These bold statements strike right into the heart of the world’s main climate change controversy. Current U.S. leadership says it cannot participate in organized mandatory emissions reduction programs as long as emerging giants like India and China insist on unlimited growth.

India and China do not see the justice in forcing restricted growth on them and limiting their capacity to achieve more for their people. India spokesman: "[The U.N.’s call for developing nations to cut GhG emissions 20% between 2020 and 2050 fails to] address the key issues of equality and equity."

Gore might have a solution to the dilemma – but so might a new U.S. administration.

To begin, as Gore did, with the good news: India's per capita consumption is not the problem. (click to enlarge)

India can lead world in renewable energy: Al Gore
March 16, 2008 (AFP via Yahoo News)

WHO
Al Gore, former U.S. vice president, Nobel laureate and Academy Award winner; Rajendra Pachauri, chairman, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC); Manmohan Singh, India Prime Minister

Now the bad news: Thermal = coal. (click to enlarge)

WHAT
Gore spoke in New Delhi at the launch of The Climate Project in India, touting India’s New Energy potential.

WHEN
Gore spoke March 15, contrasting the dirty energy of the last century and clean, efficient 21st century energy technologies.

The graph may be green but the coal is black. Not a healthy direction to grow. (click to enlarge)

WHERE
The Climate Project, a non-profit supporting Gore’s fight against global climate change, is based in Nashville, TN.

WHY
- Rajendra Pachauri’s IPCC shared the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize with Gore for work on global climate change. Pachauri added to Gore’s remarks that the “daunting challenge” required global "…unprecedented understanding and knowledge…"
- The U.S. produces 20+% of world greenhouse gas (GhG) emissions, the most in the world. China is 2nd at 16% of world GhGs.
- India, producing 6% of world GhGs, is among the top 5 nations.
- India PM Singh has called for technology transfers to India from the developed world to facilitate India’s economic emergence through New Energy.

One set of choices would be great for India; another set would be sad for the world. (click to enlarge)

QUOTES
Gore: "India has proven its capability in sectors like information technology and can be a leader in the world in developing new renewable technologies to combat climate change…"