Environmental protection advocacy groups yesterday joined two Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislators in unveiling a plan to invite former US vice president Al Gore to Taiwan to promote awareness on global warming.
They also announced a plan to establish a non-profit organization called the Friends of Gore, Taiwan, which will be responsible for raising funds to pay for Gore's visit.
DPP Legislator Tien Chiu-chin (
It is more than likely that Gore could visit the country in September, given that he has scheduled events in Australia around that time, she said.
Gore is expected to deliver three lectures in Taiwan between Sept. 13 and Sept. 20 -- one in Taipei, one in Kaohsiung and the third in the form of a summit held in Yushan (玉山) -- and would be joined by prominent local political, business and civic figures, including President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁), Tien added.
"The reason we chose Yushan is because President Chen will have nowhere to go and will have to spend the whole day discussing the issue of global warming with Gore," Tien said. "Those who have seen An Inconvenient Truth probably look forward to having Gore visit Taiwan very much."
"We believe inviting Gore to give speeches here will have a major influence on Taiwanese policies on global warming and on educating the public about environmental issues," she said.
"I believe that Gore, who has gone from being a politician to becoming an advocate for environmental protection, serves as a model for Taiwanese politicians," Tien said.
Green Consumers' Foundation secretary-general Ho Chin-san (
Tien said the Friends of Gore, Taiwan, would use Gore's visit to address the issue of global warming by promoting the reduction of carbon emissions.
The Friends of Gore, Taiwan, will try to calculate how much carbon dioxide emissions are generated by Gore's stay in Taiwan, including the amount produced by transportation and hotel accommodation of everyone involved in the visit, she said.
The finer details of the plan remain under discussion, she added.
Gore's visit is expected to cost US$700,000, Tien said, adding that the Friends of Gore, Taiwan, aimed to raise US$1 million to cover expenses.
Nevertheless, she urged the corporate sector to help cover the expenses.
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