Currents

An Energy Newsletter for Local Governments

Nobel Laureate Al Gore to Keynote West Coast Green 2008

West Coast Green announced that Nobel Laureate, and former U.S. Vice-President, Al Gore will give the keynote address at this year’s conference, to be held September 25-27th, 2008, at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, CA. Gore’s keynote speech will be held on Saturday, September 27th, at 9:30 am.

“We are honored to welcome U.S. Vice-President Gore - one of the world’s most respected leaders to West Coast Green,” said Christi Graham, Founder and CEO of West Coast Green. "Addressing both the challenges and significant opportunities that humanity is facing requires significant innovation in technology, business, and building and we are extremely excited to hear Mr. Gore's timely exploration of the intersection of these industries."

Gore joins a prestigious lineup of keynote speakers that includes best-selling authors Sarah Susanka and David Suzuki, Hunter Lovins as well as leading scientists, economists, architects, builders, venture capitalists, strategists, chief executive officers and government officials. As the leading hub for innovation in building, design and technology – West Coast Green is host to ideas and opportunities designed to expand business, widen visions and stimulate thinking with the latest, best practices from industry leaders and visionaries.

Bridging the worlds of environmentalism, finance, technology and politics together, Mr. Gore is Ideally suited to speak to this audience of innovators striving to integrate green building practices and leading edge technology into the 21st century in a way that is both smart and sustainable.

Building materials and processes account for roughly a third of carbon emissions, while the electricity-use and industry taking place in buildings account for another third. With built space in the US projected to double over the next 40 years, and buildings lasting an average of 75 years, reforming the built environment is one of the central challenges of our time.

West Coast Green will bring together 14,000 individuals to educate, network and inspire the actions that will shape our collective future. It is a powerful forum for Mr. Gore’s message, and with thousands of first-time attendees expected, in many cases it will fall on fresh ears.
When accepting the Nobel Peace prize, Gore said: "By facing and removing the danger of the climate crisis, we have the opportunity to gain the moral authority and vision to vastly increase our own capacity to solve other crises that have been too long ignored...We must ensure that entrepreneurs and inventors everywhere on the globe have the chance to change the world."

Gore is expected to address how imperative it is for the building industry to “green” itself, and the important role that architects, engineers and homeowners play in this shift.  Gore’s personal story of dedicating his career to the environmental movement is also an inspiring message, empowering individuals to create unstoppable contagious positive change.
For more information, visit: http://www.westcoastgreen.com/

| Back | Next |