Gristmill Blog has a great synopsis of Gore's testimony [View All]

[Shoelace]

just up for those who can't watch or missed the hearing in which our next President testified before Congress. Pretty good rundown on Gore's main points with some humor thrown in for good measure.

snips

Gore is explaining basic science. Again. Like Barton could learn if he just read the damn IPCC report. Damn, Gore knows this stuff forwards and backwards. Poor Barton. So outclassed.

Gore now addressing hurricanes. Acknowledged no connection to frequency. Acknowledged no particular storm is "caused" by warming. Time runs out.

Boucher: we're planning a GHG control measure. We're evaluating alternatives. What advice do you have? Nice question! C'mon, Al, push for the carbon tax! Wait, Boucher's still talking. He said Europe's carbon trading system is flawed. He asks what they did wrong. What could they do better? Is cap-and-trade something we should consider?

Gore: I do recommend cap-and-trade. The European system is in fact working. They're going to meet their Europe-wide target. They just adopted tougher binding targets last week. Here's what they did wrong: they miscalculated their base year. And their start-up period was way too long. But they've adjusted both those, fixed them. This is the No. 1 issue over there, and it's bipartisan.

It's a difficult challenge for the U.S. But if the U.S. joins trading, global markets will get much more efficient.

A note on Gore's demeanor: he seems completely serene and confident. Pitch perfect so far.

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Hastert: 50% of our energy is coal. We have the potential to drill and mine, drill and mine! We can't keep up with our energy needs without drilling and mining. How do we meet growth? Mostly individual investment. Blah blah. Is there a question? Nuclear rules, blah blah. Yucca Mountain, blah blah. Droning ... where's my coffee ... "I think there are answers." Yes, but is there a %$#! question? As we increase regulation and cut CO2 emissions, we lose jobs.

Gore: Let me be brief . On the choice between taxes and investment: I don't think we should raise taxes, I think we should shift them from individuals and small businesses to polluters. Often, reducing pollution is a road to finding more competitive industry.

etc - fun blog this!
http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2007/3/21/64353/7250/?sourece=daily