What is RePower America and why should anyone with an eco-conscious mindset be aware of what the organization is doing? As a US Green Building Council LEED AP and flooring industry professional, I’m intimately acquainted with some of the latest data on carbon footprints, on-site renewable power, bio-diesel, and “albedo” (solar reflective properties of surfaces). Since buildings use more energy in the US than automobiles, it makes sense to pay attention and take action. I’ve chosen the field of flooring since it deals with both residential, commercial and government buildings in a unique “cross-over” way. I say this because some residential flooring products can be found in commercial and government buildings. The same can be said for commercial and government-oriented products being found at times in residences.
That said, let’s get back to the “why RePower America?” question.
Here is the neutral WikiPedia reference.
And here is an excerpt from the RePowerAmerica.org site:
“Launched in 2008 in a pioneering speech by Al Gore that hit the reset button on America’s clean energy goals, Repower America was first introduced as a bold plan to “repower” our country with 100% clean electricity and revitalize our national energy infrastructure. At its core, Repower America stands for the importance of investing in energy efficiency; clean, renewable and diversified energy sources; a unified national smart energy grid that connects these renewable energy sources to every part of the country; and clean car technology.
In his Repower America speech, Vice President Gore linked America’s current national security, economic and environmental crises to our dangerous over-reliance on carbon-based fuels. Reducing this dependence on foreign oil by investing in renewable energy sources here at home presents a solution common to all three problems. New clean energy jobs in a new clean energy future will repower America – creating millions of new jobs, hastening our economic recovery, strengthening our national security and preserving our planet for future generations. With a clean energy economy, everybody wins.
Building on this momentum, the Alliance for Climate Protection launched the Repower America campaign to galvanize the American public around a bold new clean energy plan and a revitalized national energy infrastructure that will:
- Jumpstart our economy and create millions of jobs;
- Help end our dependence on foreign oil;
- Reward innovation and job creation, not polluters; and
- Help solve the climate crisis.
Efforts to secure passage of comprehensive climate and clean energy legislation that supports Repower America’s objectives are conducted by the Alliance’s sister nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, the Climate Protection Action Fund.”
If you’ve caught Mr. Gore’s TED Talks sessions, you know what he’s about. If not, it’s worth a look and here are the links:
Al Gore’s TED Talks presentation on the latest climate trends.
Al Gore’s new thinking on the climate crisis.
“Averting the climate crisis”
For further information, this list is a sign that renewable energy is worth paying attention to.
List of groups and people who support 100% renewable energy
All the best,
Chris
Christopher Moline, LEED AP
Residential Group Manager
Commercial Carpets of America / Alexandria Carpet One
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