Operation Free Goes to Copenhagen

Back in October Operation Free, a group of veterans of the wars of Iraq and Afghanistan, traveled through Pennsylvania as part of a cross-country bus tour in support of clean energy for national security.

This week Operation Free touched down in Copenhagen to attend the 15th United Nations Conference on Climate Change.

From their press release:

A delegation of US military veterans will travel to the climate conference in Copenhagen next week to highlight the national and global security threats posed by climate change and America’s dependence on foreign energy. These veterans bring personal stories and a front-lines perspective to the national security threat, a vital and oft-overlooked aspect of the ongoing negotiations. Most of the veterans served during the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Hailing from ten different states and three branches of the military, they will hold press events, meet with members of the US delegation, and relay their experiences as members of the US military to an international audience. The veterans will highlight that:

• Global action is necessary for global security because climate change makes the world a more dangerous place. In the parlance of the military, it is a threat multiplier, helping create safe havens and breeding grounds for terrorists when unstable countries collapse under the weight of the droughts, famines, and floods caused by climate change. Preventing climate change means protecting us and our allies from having to fight future conflicts.

• The world needs a united front in the face of this common threat. It is time for real teamwork, where every nation can be part of a win-win solution for everyone. America needs to set the right example, look to the future, and lead by example in the face of this global security threat.

• Depending on one or two sources of energy makes a nation vulnerable. Veterans know that it is dangerous to depend on unfriendly nations for the resources we need to run the economy. This is true of America, and of other nations. For example, in America, oil is a worry. In Europe, it is common to worry about natural gas supplies. It’s time for all nations to take control of our energy future.
The veterans hail from the following states: Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Maine, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, South Dakota, Virginia, and West Virginia.

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Operation Free also posted these photos from their trip to Copenhagen:



For more on Operation Free, visit their Web site at www.operationfree.net or follow them on Twitter @operationFREE

Al Gore says our best response to the attacks of the far right is "reality"

Former Vice President Al Gore addressed thousands of people across America tonight on a nationwide calling, calling each of us to action in the most critical week of the fight to secure energy independence and meaningful climate legislation thus far. I'm paraphrasing, but this is some of what Mr. Gore had to say tonight:

We need each of you to call your member of Congress. Let them know how important it is for the U.S. to finally act to curb the polluting emissions associated with global climate change. You won't believe how easy it is to call your member of Congress and tell them to vote YES on final passage of the American Clean Energy and Security Act

Friday the U.S. House of Representatives is expected to take up HR 2454 for final passage. It will take 218 votes to pass the landmark legislation, and the final score is not nearly as important as getting it done and sent to the U.S. Senate where a broad coalition will work to pass this bill for the President's signature before the world meets in Copenhagen.