Clinton-Gore Raise Cash for Climate

Bill Clinton and Al Gore were back on stage together yesterday, stumping not for another term in office, but for creative solutions to the "climate crisis," as gore calls global warming. While Bill's focus is on how the private sector can help, Al is plugging away at his idea that a new world treaty is a critical piece of the puzzle.

He's said that the world needs to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions 50% by 2050, and that industrialized nations like the U.S. need to make the deepest cuts -- on the order of 90%. Bill held hands with Wal-Mart's top executive to show how one big company can throw its weight around.

Wal-Mart, having already influenced the world's retail market in fundamental ways with the goal of lowering consumer prices and sending its competition into the red, has turned some of its attention to energy efficiency and packaging reduction. It's saved itself millions and now is requiring certain suppliers to step up. Both strategies seem necessary: Innovation in the private sector, and inspiration from the top. What tack each initiative takes remains to be seen.

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