The Go Green Debate

“In order to solve the climate crisis, we have to solve the democracy crisis.” - Al Gore

At the closing session of the Technology, Entertainment and Design conference (TED) in Monterey, California on Saturday, March 1st, Al Gore delivered a speech insisting that the public become more active and insistent about the environmental problems we are facing in order to force politicians out of their complacency.

“As important as it is to change the light bulbs, it’s more important to change the laws.” - Al Gore

Rex Murphy talks about his “Point of View” of global warming on the CBC’s (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) flagship nightly news program, The National.

Katie Couric on Primary Questions asked ten leading presidential candidates whether or not global warming is a real and immediate threat.

Which presidential candidate has the best plan for our global warming and climate change problem? The answers are in with the Climate Cup 2008 tournament. Check out these videos that seed the hopefuls, and weigh the issues in this eco-friendly winner-take-all tournament.

Climate Cup 2008: Republicans

Climate Cup 2008: Democrats

The 11th Hour is a new documentary film narrated by Leonardo DiCaprio. The film examines the human relationship with earth from its earliest glimmers of innovation, to the challenges humanity faces in the present, to the possibilities of the future.

The 11th Hour is the last moment when change is possible. This film explores how we’ve arrived at this moment — how we live, how we impact the earth’s ecosystems, and what we can do to change our course.

The film features experts from all over the world, including former Soviet Prime Minister Mikhail Gorbachev, renowned scientist Stephen Hawking, former head of the CIA R. James Woolsey and sustainable design experts William McDonough and Bruce Mau in addition to over 50 leading scientists, thinkers and leaders who discuss the most important issues that face our planet & people.

Check Out The Trailer:

The U.S. population is growing faster then ever despite the lack of resources & the impact it has on the planet. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the U.S. population will hit 303.15 million on January 1, 2008. This is up 0.9 percent from last year. They also estimate that in 2008, the country will add one person every 13 seconds.

On October 19, 2007 John Edwards appeared on Real Time with Bill Maher where they discuss various environmental issues including ethanol.

Marlo Lewis & Dennis Avery talk about the problems with government subsidies for ethanol producers on CNBC’s Squawk Box.

What are the presidential candidates suggesting to reduce Americans’ environmentally destructive high level of animal product consumption? Check out this funny video where PB&J Girl and PB&J Boy have a suggestion to this global problem. (There is no audio, so no need to adjust your sound.)

Is your hometown one of the most eco-friendly cities of the world?
Grist reports the top 15 greenest cities of the world. They compiled a list of cities deserving recognition for making impressive strides toward eco-friendliness, and helping their residents live better, greener lives.

Top 15 Greenest Cities
1- Reykjavik, Iceland
2- Portland, Oregon, U.S.
3- Curitiba, Brazil
4- Malmö, Sweden
5- Vancouver, Canada
6- Copenhagen, Denmark
7- London, England
8- San Francisco, California, U.S.
9- Bahía de Caráquez, Ecuador
10- Sydney, Australia
11- Barcelona, Spain
12- Bogotá, Colombia
13- Bangkok, Thailand
14- Kampala, Uganda
15- Austin, Texas, U.S.

Runners-up
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Freiburg, Germany
Seattle, Washington, U.S.
Quebec City, Canada