Crossposting the following diary originally written by NatureGal and posted at The Gore Portal
Al Gore wants to do more than make a movie and write a book. He wants to build a grassroots movement representing all types of Americans who will rise up and demand that their leaders do something meaningful about global warming. The way he wants to get it done is with his new organization, the Alliance for Climate Protection.
In an article at
Grist magazine, Gore talked about the group and what role he will play within it. Gore envisions an organization that builds up a grassroots movement among average citizens while also funding national media campaigns that educates the masses.
At this point, Gore says the leadership of the group includes Brent Scowcroft, national-security adviser to presidents George H.W. Bush and Gerald Ford; Carol Browner, head of the U.S. EPA under Bill Clinton; Lee Thomas, EPA chief under Ronald Reagan; Larry Schweiger, president of the National Wildlife Federation; and Teddy Roosevelt IV, venture capitalist and great-grandson of Teddy Roosevelt.
Gore will not be involved in the governance of the group as he does not want his political background to create a perceived political bias in the organization. According to Gore, they hope the group will reach out to "NASCAR fans, churchgoers, labor-union members, small businessmen, engineers, hunters, sportsmen, corporate leaders, you name it."
Alliance board members have said they plan to use print and television ads but also online media including blogging, e-video, and viral marketing. They also plan a response to the Competitive Enterprise Institute anti-Gore ads that will air in numerous markets at the same time Gore's movie and book are grabbing headlines.
As for funding, Gore said he and Tipper will try to be the largest donors to the organization. As has been reported, he has donated the $250,000 advance from his book. Also Paramount Classics (the distributor of "An Inconvenient Truth") is donating 5% of the domestic gross, and has guaranteed a minimum donation of $500,000. Gore is seeking additional large donations from George Soros, Ted Turner, and Steve Jobs.
Grist reports that 60% of the Alliance's funding will go towards national and local media projects, with the rest going to grassroots groups and institutions that are working to educate the public.
The group will officially launch in the coming weeks.
End of NatureGal's post.
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I think that we can help jump start the grassroots movement that Gore envisions, by taking the following steps right away.
Pledges to see Gore's movie can be made here, and interested folks can register here to participate in the discussion at the blog. A wealth of information on global warming is available at this newscientist.com site. Please help spread the word by informing friends and family about Gore's campaign to ameliorate and avert global warming, and posting this information on your websites and weblogs. The following button can also be posted on your sites:
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