Environmental Bloggers, Unite

The Netroots Nation conference, a gathering of nearly 2,000 left-leaning bloggers and political organizers, draws some heavy political hitters.

According to an AP report, seven Democratic presidential candidates attended last year's conference — including Illinois Sen. Barack Obama — to get the support of the bloggers, who are considered to have a good amount of influence.

This year, former Vice President Al Gore made a surprise appearance Saturday at the conference, and he emphasized the need for activists to mobilize for global climate protection. He talked about his hope to see the nation's electricity come from renewable sources like wind, solar and geothermal in 10 years.

Gore said the seriousness of the climate problem is related to the economic and security crises of U.S. dependence on foreign oil, according to the article.

He compared the Republican strategy to combat rising oil prices with more drilling to the idea of curing a hangover with another drink. (Trust us, it's ridiculous.)

Gore said he is trying to enlist 10 million grassroots environmental activists and asked the online organizers for help.

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