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@katiecouric: Al Gore

November 2, 2009 2:41 PM

Three years since the release of former Vice President Al Gore's Oscar-winning documentary "An Inconvenient Truth," Katie Couric asks Gore if we are moving in the right direction on climate change.

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by sticktotopick November 24, 2009 3:57 PM EST
There are multiple sides to this issue. The issue shouldnt be why we should go green, it should be why we shouldnt use up the earths natural resources. We have found an alternative, and that should be enough. Carbon does not ruin the environment, there have been reports of dramatically higher carbon emissions in the ozone. However, think of the oil you use in your car, suck that out and see how long your car lasts! The warming, which I dont believe in, could just be that the heat from the earths core is working its way to the surface easier through the gaping holes where it used to be controlled with oil. Also, think of how the continents move, oil is like a lubricant that would allow them to move gently and easily, take that away and you get a much different move, which could explain the more frequent earthquakes being experienced around the world. Lets try to stick to what is important here.
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by bellaanna-2009 November 16, 2009 7:52 PM EST
You gave "Big Al" a good name.........all that man is interested in is "Green M..O..N..E..Y........and he is full of lies and greed.
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by claydowner November 14, 2009 2:51 PM EST
If you disagree with Mr. Gore about global warming than you need to do more homework and get your facts straight because on this issue you are a fool. This problem of global warming is not just an environmental problem it is a huge national security problem of the highest order. Wake the hell up and smell the coffee you deniers of global warming because you are a total idiot if you do not think about this problem in terms of national security and economic security. We have lost 40,000 wounded and over 5,000 killed in Iraq a war of choice so we can drill for oil. The Iraq war is going to cost us $3 trillion in long term costs. Read Professor's Joe Stiglitz and Linda Bilmes book on the $3 Trillion War. Also you need to read "Beyond Oil", by Professor Kenneth S. Deffeyes, who talks about Geologist professor's Hubbert's prediction on world Peak Oil production. Hubbert accurately predicted American peak oil production at 3 billion barrels per year in 1970 back in the 1950's. Today oil production has declined every year since 1970 to about 2 billion barrels in 2006. Hubbert also predicted world Peak Oil will occur sometime during the first decade of the 21st Century. So far it looks like we may very well be on an dramatic decline in the ability to find more cheap oil. T. Boone Pickens has said it will be harder to keep up the production of 85 million barrels per day presently in the long run. We are running out of cheap oil. As demand increases and supplies contract get used to oil going up in price and then staying there.

The present costs of our oil dependency are huge. We spent $450 billion in 2008 that was added to our huge trade deficit but this does not include the huge military costs associated with securing our long vulnerable oil supply lines. Something on the order of two-thirds of the Pentagon's $650 billion budget (do not forget supplemental bills in Congress sometimes not added to the budget) is directly tied to the Middle East. Remember, if Israel attacks Iran, or some other serious development like a coup de tat in Saudi Arabia happens oil would go to $300 per barrel. We import 70% of our energy from unstable parts of the world. These developments, or other plausible developments, would help destroy America's economy.

The status quo of fossil fuel use must be stopped. We can not afford to keep importing 70% of our fuel from OPEC countries. We need an Apollo to the Moon program or a Manhattan Project to get rid of imported OPEC oil forever. Remember, every single veteran that has suffered burns, an amputated limb, confinement for life in a wheel chair, or who has died or suffers from Brain trauma or PTSD has done so that an American back here can fill up their gas guzzling SUV. Americans should be ashamed of themselves for allowing this to happen. We are better people than this. Now it is time to prove it by eliminating imported OPEC oil forever so we can bring our troops home for good from the Middle East.
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by acornworker November 7, 2009 3:01 PM EST
The latest news: Al Gore wants people to perform acts of civil disobediance to protest global warming. Is there no end to the nonsense that Al Gore will spew? http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/nov/07/al-gore-interview-climate-change
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by Virgil-1 November 5, 2009 3:22 PM EST
Another money making idea from changing times.Make up lies and sell books.
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by TalMD November 5, 2009 9:45 AM EST
Happy that at least BBC has the guts to corner the father of internet. Thank you Mr. Jeremy Paxman. Kudos & Keep up the good work going.
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by TalMD November 5, 2009 9:38 AM EST
If the Father of internet, Nobel laureate, is on the mission for 30 years. Why was his utility bill $30,000? Did his child (the internet) leak this out? He sure would not be proud of his child. Why can't he fly a solar/wind powered plane instead of jet fueled Gulfstream? Why can't he live in a solar tent rather than the 20 room mansion?
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by TalMD November 5, 2009 9:11 AM EST
Please check this out ...http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/newsnight/8341908.stm
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by tooolnut November 4, 2009 8:18 PM EST
Absolute sustainability cannot be achieved, based on the second law of thermodynamics. We can only slow down the process of our own inevitable demise as living and thinking beings.

Has anyone thought of proving whether or not solar and wind energy alone is sufficient to sustain itself? Is it enough energy to power the foundries that produce the metals for the wind turbine tower infrastructure, the solar cells, the semiconductors in the associated electronics, etc.; sufficient energy to power the chemical factories that produce and recycle the batteries; all the essential ingredients for making it happen and maintain it, because all these things eventually wear out or break down, and need to be replaced? Of course, the more renewable energy sources you have, the more the demand on maintenance.

It would be intersting to see to what degree it can be self-sustaining. Recall that we have so far failed to demonstrate self-sustainability in the closed systems of the Biosphere programs, closed except to the external power from the sun.

Please, let's put this question to Al Gore and his scientists.
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by OregonJames November 4, 2009 7:22 AM EST
Whether you believe in global warming or not, it is time for our nation to wean itself from dirty fossil fuels and move on to new clean energy production and consumption. Nobody can deny that living in a clean environment is better than living in pollution. Oil and coal are dirty fuels. Additionally, our addiction for oil makes our nation weak, broke, and dependent upon tyrants for our fix. It also puts us in direct competition with China, our national bank, and everyone knows, the one with the money is the one in charge. It is time for us to break our addiction and once again become leaders in the world.
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