美國民主黨全國黨代表大會於25日開議，伊利諾州民主黨參議員兼總統提名人歐巴馬於會中倡議一項結合能源計劃的新宣言，並已為民主黨所接受與進用。
該項計劃立旨實施一項全國經濟範圍內的碳限量管制與交易方案，目標在2050年以前減少80%的二氧化碳排放量。同時確保2012年之前，美國國內至少10%的電量供應來自再生能源，並在2025年以前將比例提高至25%。
此外，計劃除了將制定向石油大廠徵收「賣油暴利稅」，且將1,000美元的緊急能源費還歸於美國民眾。亦將在未來10年內透過策略性投資，於第二部門中投入1,500億美元，以達成打造清淨能源未來的目的，同時更可創造出500萬個就業機會。
「保育選民聯盟」（League of Conservation Voters）主席金恩（Gene Karpinski）肯定地表示，「歐巴馬的計劃描繪出再生能源擁有擺脫國內對石油的依賴的高度潛力、加強國家安全、對抗全球暖化，甚至可創造全國數百萬份職缺」。
環保人士另外亦讚賞歐巴馬推舉參議員拜登（Joe Biden）擔任其總統之路的副手。
歐巴馬表示，「相較於那些與石油大廠的暗自勾結，以及擅於扭曲事實並冷落美國人民意見的副總統，本人深信拜登將可為我們帶來事實的真相與矯治的方法」。
這番言論正是在數落現任副總統錢尼（Dick Cheney）。錢尼於2001年負責擬定布希政府能源策略時，被發現曾與石油公司鉅子秘密往來。另外歐巴馬亦批評共和黨的競選對手馬侃（John McCain），因為馬侃時常在公開場合以「說實話」（straight talk）的字眼向選民承諾。
來自德拉瓦州的拜登政治經歷豐富，迄今已任6屆參議員並主持參院外交委員會。2007年，拜登投下提高車輛燃料經濟標準的贊成票，並且主張撤除對石油公司的補貼。1986年，拜登率先在國會內，提出關於限制造成全球暖化的汙染之議案。
此外，拜登曾與共和黨參議員迪克（Dick Lugar）共同推案，要求布希政府讓美國返回全球對抗氣候變遷的圓桌上。拜登同意在2025年之前降低40%的石油使用量，並且也投下在極地野保區（ANWR）開採石油的反對票。
24日一場公眾活動中，全國廣播評論人金（Jim Hightower）協與馬里蘭州議員多娜（Donna Edwards）共同審視民主黨陣營在接下來四年可能帶來的機會與衝突。這些改變涵蓋：環境正義、氣候變遷、清淨能源與全球暖化、科技與民主。
At the opening of the Democratic National Convention today, the Democratic Party adopted a new platform that incorporates the energy plan put forward by Senator Barack Obama of Illinois, the presumptive presidential nominee.
The plan would implement an economy-wide cap-and-trade program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent by 2050. It would ensure 10 percent of U.S. electricity comes from renewable sources by 2012, and 25 percent by 2025.
It would enact a windfall profits tax on oil companies to provide a $1,000 emergency energy rebate to American families, and would help create five million new jobs by strategically investing $150 billion over the next 10 years to catalyze private efforts to build a clean energy future.
"Obama's plan recognizes the enormous potential of renewable energy to end our addiction to oil, strengthen our national security, fight global warming, and create millions of jobs across America," League of Conservation Voters President Gene Karpinski said.
Environmentalists are praising Obama's choice of Senator Joe Biden as his vice presidential running mate.
"Instead of secret energy task forces stacked with Big Oil and a vice president that twists the facts and shuts the American people out, I know that Joe Biden will give us some real straight talk," said Obama.
The comment slammed the current Vice President Dick Cheney, who held secret meetings with oil company executives in 2001 while drafting the Bush administration's energy strategy, and also backhanded Republican candidate Senator John McCain, who repeatedly has promised "straight talk."
Biden is a six term Senator from Delaware, who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. In 2007, Biden voted to strengthen vehicle fuel economy standards and to repeal subsidies to oil companies. In 1986, he introduced the first bill designed to limit global warming pollution.
He partnered with Republican Senator Dick Lugar to co-author and pass a resolution calling on the Bush administration to return to international negotiations to address climate change. Biden voted yes on reducing oil usage by 40 percent by 2025, and he voted to reject drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
On Sunday, in an event closed to the public, national radio commentator Jim Hightower and Maryland Congresswoman Donna Edwards took a look at what the Democratic campaign for change will mean over the next four years - the conflicts and the opportunities. They covered environmental justice; climate change, clean energy and global warming; technology and democracy.
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In my healing journey and learning to attain the breath awareness, I become aware of the reality that all the creatures of the world are breathing the same breath. Take action, here and now. From my physical being to the every corner of this out of balance's planet.
