Y'all know that Al Gore returned to the Capitol to testify before both House and Senate subcommittees last week. Some of the particulars of what he had to say, however, may have gotten lost in all badgering by Senator Inhofe of Oklahoma.

Here's the 10-step plan Gore offered Congress (with my comments in parentheses):

1. Immediately freeze C02 emissions in the U.S. and target 90% reductions by 2050. (This is the most aggressive of Gore's proposal, exceeding the most ambitous and common goal of 80% carbon reductions by 10%!)
2. Set taxes on CO2 emissions.
3. Use a portion of carbon tax revenues to help low-income people make necessary adjustments to reduce their CO2 emissions.
4. Create a strong global treaty to take effect in 2010 (not 2012 as specified in Kyoto agreement).  Get China and India involved in the next treaty.
5. Congress should set a moratorium on any new coal plant not compatible with carbon capture and sequestration.
6. Create an "Electranet" to allow homeowners and businesses to generate power and sell electricity back into the grid at market rates.
7. Raise Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards.
8. Set a date for ban on incandescent light bulbs. (This may seem trivial to some folks, but could reduce electrical use significantly)
9. Create "Connie Mae," a carbon neutral mortgage association.  (This could help encourage energy-efficient building)
10. SEC should require disclosure of carbon emission in corporate reporting.

Of course, the likelihood of just one of Al's ideas finding its way through Congress intact is very slim, not to mention the whole kit and kaboodle. Nevertheless, Gore's testimony raised the bar a notch for those in Congress who would champion global warming legislation.

Carbon Neutral Journal's news is brought to you by High Country Linen Service.

Popularity: 24%