Al Gore praised at French environmental top summit

[tocqueville]

(R-L) Former U.S. Vice President and 2007 Nobel Peace prize winner Al Gore, France's President Nicolas Sarkozy, Kenya's 2004 Nobel Peace Prize winner and environmentalist Wangari Maathai, and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso pose on the steps of the Elysee Palace in Paris October 25, 2007 on the last day of "Grenelle de l'Environnement" ecological talks.


The unprecedented environment talks produced about a dozen measures to be sent to parliament for a vote early next year. Parliament, dominated by Sarkozy's party, is likely to pass them, though activists fear lawmakers will try to water them down.

Gore called Sarkozy "a great friend of the people of this planet because you are providing leadership."

"We must realize that increases in global warming pollution anywhere now threaten the viability of human civilization everywhere."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071025/ap_on_re_eu/france_environment;_ylt=AvQQHhABSM3kFASwXuwfxedWbBAF

New French environment steps By The Associated Press
1 hour, 40 minutes ago

A look at the measures announced Thursday by President Nicolas Sarkozy to improve France's environmental reputation:

• CARS: Discounts for those who buy cars that use little gasoline, extra taxes for those whose cars are not fuel efficient.

• TRANSPORT: 1,200 miles of new train tracks, 900 miles of new tram tracks. Strict limits on new road construction.

• BUILDINGS: Make all new buildings "energy positive" by 2020, meaning they produce as much energy as they consume. Renovation of all public buildings to waste less energy.

• LIGHT BULBS: Ban on incandescent light bulbs starting in 2010.

• PESTICIDES: Slashing pesticide use by half within a decade "if possible."

• GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOODS: Temporary freeze on planting of genetically modified crops, though not the outright ban activists had wanted.

• ORGANIC FOOD: All cafeterias at schools and other public buildings will be required to offer organic food once a week.

• RENEWABLE ENERGY: Make more than 20 percent of France's energy supplies renewable by 2020.

• NUCLEAR ENERGY: Sarkozy remains staunch advocate, activists remain opposed.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071025/ap_on_re_eu/france_environment_list;_ylt=Avx5Uwp3wYGLbLxFty_WId5WbBAF

what's not mentioned above is :

- a carbon tax (tax on every product depending how much CO2 is used to produce and transport it)
- demand of a EU punitive tax on import of products from countries that haven't signed Kyoto (who could it be ?)

[Uncle Joe]

1. Thanks for the thread, tocqueville

Kicked and recommended.

[DesertRat]

2. 5th Rec and Kick!

[understandinglife]

3. GORE RECEIVES SPAIN'S HIGHEST AWARD

Al Gore is the recipient of the prestigious Prince of Asturias Award for International Cooperation, to be awarded by H.R.H. Prince Felipe of Spain on Oct. 26.

http://www.fundacionprincipedeasturias.org/ing

Mr Gore, please return to the US, go to the Lincoln Memorial, invite everyone to listen, and begin your campaign for President ... soon.

Thank you,
Bob

[LSparkle]

4. Bravo! I concur completely!

President Gore, your country is calling you! WE NEED TO WAKE UP!!!!

[malaise]

8. Ditto n/t

[Kurovski]

5. K&R. (nt)

[Swamp Rat]

6. Très bien

NeoGore is "The One!" :D

[malaise]

7. Saw a nice report on BBC

I was impressed with Sarkozy's new French environment steps.

K & R

[RestoreGore]

9. He so far surpasses a "president" of this status quo system

To run now would only be a step back for him. I see him influencing environmental policy globally, and also here with the position he now has as a global leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner.

[marlakay]

10. Gore meets with leaders of the world

more than Bush or Condi does...

I bet he is more respected too! I agree, come home after your award Friday Mr. Gore and join us in the battle for retaking our country back. We need you at the helm.

[Californian Dreamer]

11. Actually, I have a problem there

The ban on incandescent light bulbs, while it saves on energy, means currently only the florescent bulbs can be used. Some people, like a family member of mine, gets migraines just being around them, due to the rapid, usually imperceptible flashing they create. Even if he uses incandescents for himself, he has to deal with it everywhere he goes.

Not to say they shouldn't be limited, but it would be nice to have CFLs not be mandatory. I say we encourage LED technology, which should be more efficient anyways.