In 1993, Gorbachev founded Green Cross international, known in the U.S. as Global Green USA. Their white paper on Energy Shift lays out the case in simple terms:
The greatest energy security challenge facing humanity is the implementation of clean energy solutions for sustainable development. By exponentially increasing the generating capacity of clean energy sources around the globe, the G8 can work to mitigate Climate Change and provide energy to the world’s poorest people. Leveraging an unprecedented clean energy and energy efficiency deployment is the only way to achieve real, lasting energy security.Los Angeles and California have consistently led the way on environmental standards, persuading the rest of the United States by word and by deed. When the reso comes before full council, I hope we will continue that tradition by adding our voice to Global Green’s as they lobby the G8 for sustainable energy security.