Posted on 09/21/2006 10:53:59 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
NEW YORK - British business mogul Richard Branson on Thursday pledged to invest about $3 billion over the next decade to combat global warming and promote alternative energy, saying that it was critical to protect the environment for future generations.
Branson, the billionaire behind the multi-platform Virgin brand, said the money would come from 100 percent of the profits generated by his transportation sectors — trains and airline companies. It will be invested in efforts to find renewable, sustainable energy sources in an effort to wean the world off oil and coal.
The so-called "rebel billionaire" — wearing a dress coat with no tie and denim pants — made the announcement on the second day of the Clinton Global Initiative, an annual conference of business, political and nonprofit leaders hosted by former President Clinton.
"Our generation has inherited an incredibly beautiful world from our parents and they from their parents," Branson said at a news conference, with Clinton at his side. "We must not be the generation responsible for irreversibly damaging the environment. We must hand it over to our children in as near pristine a condition as we were lent it from our parents."
Clinton praised Branson, calling him one of the "most interesting," "creative" and "genuinely committed" people he had ever known.
Branson said he was inspired to contribute after a meeting with Al Gore, who served as Clinton's vice president and has been highly visible in raising awareness about global warming and environmental issues. Gore was scheduled to speak Thursday afternoon.
Branson's commitment assured that the Clinton Global Initiative conference would surpass its goal of matching last year's efforts. By early Thursday afternoon, initiative organizers said they had 114 commitments amounting to $5.7 billion. In 2005, the conference resulted in $2.5 billion in pledges.
About 50 current and former world leaders were expected to attend the summit, which is in its second year.
On Thursday morning, Afghan President Hamid Karzai joined Jordanian Queen Rania Al-Abdullah, and Archbishop Desmond Tutu for a panel discussion on managing diversity in a globalized world.
All stressed the importance of cultural exchange and education.
Karzai said the West had, at times, exhibited a "lack of morality when it applies to dealing with the rest of the world" because it often did not realize how its intervention or lack thereof would affect itself.
He noted that he had urged Western governments for years before the Sept. 11 attacks to help the people of Afghanistan. "But no attention was paid because you in the West were not hurt," Karzai said. "It was only us and that didn't matter, and that is wrong. Seriously."
Asked about the furor caused by Pope Benedict XVI's recent speech that quoted a medieval figure referring to Islam as violent, Tutu stressed the commonalities among all religions, but added: "I think that the pope probably wishes he hadn't said what he said and has tried to apologize. But it shows how very difficult it is to say sorry. ... To say sorry in public is one of the most difficult things."
The initiative began Wednesday with a slew of world figures, from first lady Laura Bush unveiling a plan to bring clean drinking water to Africa and Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf stressing the importance of Palestinian peace.
The conference brings together government, business and nonprofit sectors in an effort to spur action on poverty, health care, global warming and religious/ethnic conflict.
Bill Clinton, left, listens as Richard Branson, right, speaks to the media after announcing his commitment to the Clinton Global Initiative Thursday Sept. 21, 2006 in New York. Branson, the billionaire behind the multi-platform Virgin brand, said he would invest about $3 billion to combat global warming over the next decade. (AP Photo/Tina Fineberg)
Or does he leave a carbon footprint the size of Godzilla...?
Former US President Bill Clinton(L) and Sir Richard Branson hold a signed committment letter after Branson announced that he would invest some three billion USD to combat global warming at the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting in New York.(AFP/Nicholas Roberts)
"So does Mr. Branson personally practice what he preaches?"
Yes, his airline is actually exclusively fuelled by his own inflated sense of self importance.
I'm sure Branson flew in to NY on his private plane. I can't stand rich people that want to tell me what to drive. If I can afford a gas guzzling Hemi, I'll drive a gas guzzling Hemi. If they would just shut their mouths they would save the ozone layer. Of course, if we killed all the cows on the planet that would help too. I think I'll have a steak!
Too little too late. His planes have already destroyed the atmosphere.
Bwahahaha! Maybe he drives an El Camino that runs on vegetable oil, like Darryl Hannah!
So Dickey Doo is going the way of albore. Anything for a far-left demoncRAT cause.
Well, I'll be impressed if he practices what he preaches.
Such a reasonably smart businessman and such a reasonably poor investment/donation.
It will be interesting to see the money trail of this doonation and the long term effects it has on the lifestyles of Bubba and the rest of the Global warming gonads.
I respect Darryl Hannah much more than I respect Branson....this is so ridiculous, I want to puke. At least Hannah practices what she preaches.
I'll be impressed if he spends $3M on alternative fuels and not study of global warming...
Good point. Good intentions won't heat a home or fuel a car.
Clinton: "Just write the check over to aaaaaaahhhh me and I'll aaaaaahhhhhh make sure it goes where it's most needed. Like for, you know aaaaaaahhhh the children and all that... That's Clinton. 'C'...'L'...'I'... 'Clinton' right right... Oh aaaaaaahhhh. me-me-make sure you write 'William' on it too...Definitely write 'William'..."
I initially thought this was a pledge by the residents of Branson, Missouri -- Mel Tillis and Yakov Smirnoff leading the global fight against climate change. I almost wish I hadn't clicked and found out the true story.
OK Branson - first thing we want you to do is put catalytic converters on all those jets of yours....
What say you?
Ping. I'm waiting for the flood of liberal protests over Branson's donation of his billions for nothing, rather than for medical treatment for millions of children in Africa or medical research that could save millions of lives. Fortunately I'm not holding my breath. This obviously is a stellar example of someone with more money than brains. Bill Clinton isn't looking very well these days, is he?
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