The Challenges Ahead

First, the good news: we're making progress. President-elect Obama has committed to make the climate crisis a top priority of his new administration. He has spoken of the urgent need to Repower America. He has chosen an energy and environmental leadership team with the experience and know-how to lead from Washington.

Now the bad news: the entrenched special interests will work tirelessly to stymie the progress the new administration is seeking to make. If the past is any indicator, they will invest hundreds of millions of dollars lobbying and advertising to stop policies that will protect the planet from the ravages of climate change. Turning the ship of Washington will require the voices of change to be louder than the advocates for the status quo.

Now is clearly the time for decisive steps to Repower America with 100% clean electricity within ten years. With your support, our campaign will be ready to act when the new Congress and the Obama team begin work on January 21st. Will you help us make the most of this opportunity?

Please make a tax-deductible year-end gift by December 31st to make 2009 the key year in repowering America.

The truth is, the first 100 days of the new administration will be critical. And we aim to be busy.

Our Repower America campaign will be driving home the message that the solutions are within our reach -- that halting climate change means creating millions of jobs.

Our Reality campaign will underscore that coal isn't 'clean' until it captures and safely stores its carbon pollution.

These campaigns are big -- and they must be: we need national paid advertising, online organizing, grassroots partnerships with new and powerful constituencies like labor, the faith communities and university students.

As you have heard me say, there is a common thread linking the nation's major economic, security and climate challenges: our addiction to carbon based fuels. There is also a common solution: a wholesale shift to truly clean sources of energy. If undertaken immediately this shift can be the country's ticket out of economic malaise. As you know, an effort of this scale during these pressing times will require all voices to influence the debate.

This is why we need to speak up more forcefully than ever. I know you've invested a lot so far. Can you spare a little more?

Click here to make a year-end donation to support our 2009 campaign by December 31st:
http://www.wecansolveit.org/2009

It's been a few short months since we launched the We Campaign in April, and we are now more than 2 million strong. This is great progress. I believe the momentum is on our side.

With your help, we will hit the ground running in January. I have the hope and optimism that 2009 will bring the change that we worked so hard for this past year. We can indeed Repower America.

Thank you so much. Wishing you and yours a very Happy New Year,

Al Gore - www.wecansolveit.org