Bernie Sanders: Climate & Energy Statements At Last Night’s Speech (Video)

9 years ago Zachary Shahan 23 Comments


Bernie Sanders gave a long speech in Amherst, Massachusetts, last night. Below are key climate and energy statements he made there, which you can watch if you jump to this spot in the YouTube video. My comments are in brackets after each quote.

  • “I am a member of the Senate Committee on the Environment and the Senate Committee on Energy.” [Already, that shows us Bernie’s passion for addressing environmental and energy crises, imho.]
  • “I have talked to scientists all over this world and throughout our country, and here is the simple truth: The debate is over. Climate change is real. It is caused by human activity. It is already devastating many parts of our country and the world.” [Obvious, but strongly said and excellent messaging.]
  • “We have a moral responsibility, moral responsibility, in terms of the planet that we leave to our kids and our grandchildren… to take on the fossil fuel industry.” [Again, excellent messaging.]
  • “To work with China, Russia, India, and countries all over the world, and say we are going to transform our energy system away from fossil fuel to energy efficiency, wind, solar, and other sustainable energies.” [Nice diplomatic statement, and perfect order for cost-effective climate solutions in the energy sector.]

It wasn’t a huge segment, but it’s exactly what should be said when/if Bernie takes the bully pulpit, and I have no doubt Bernie would do what he could to use executive power to help transition us to clean energy and energy conservation.

Even in Congress, as an Independent working in the midst of a very obstructionist system, Bernie has solely sponsored a handful of successful bills and amendments to improve energy efficiency and use of renewable energy, as well as to stop subsidizing fossil fuels.

 

In the comments of the Bernie vs Hillary vs ?? article I wrote the other day, someone noted that we shouldn’t vote based on 1 or 2 issues. I fully agree with that, but didn’t bother to bring in other topics since they aren’t my professional focus and recognized area of expertise. But to broaden the discussion here for those who are interested in a broader discussion, below are tweets I sent out today and yesterday regarding other highlights from Bernie’s speech last night as well as other matters (proceed only if you are interested in tweets about progressive issues beyond energy and the environment)…

https://twitter.com/RiversDecas/status/701966896539815936

[I’m proud to say that Cornel West spoke at my college graduation. He’s one of the premier societal thought leaders of the past few generations, imho.]

https://twitter.com/GoodsJolly/status/700871580327383040

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Zachary Shahan

Zach is tryin' to help society help itself one word at a time. He spends most of his time here on CleanTechnica as its director, chief editor, and CEO. Zach is recognized globally as an electric vehicle, solar energy, and energy storage expert. He has presented about electric vehicles and renewable energy at conferences in India, the UAE, Ukraine, Poland, Germany, the Netherlands, the USA, Canada, and Curaçao.

Zachary Shahan has 8267 posts and counting. See all posts by Zachary Shahan