Al Gore and Cisco's John Chambers get green together

ORLANDO -- Politicians need to get involved quickly to fight against global warming, and unified communications can help in the effort, attendees at VoiceCon Orlando 2008 were told at a teleconferenced keynote today.

Cisco CEO John Chambers and former Vice President Al Gore teamed to discuss environmental issues and possible technological solutions during the session, speaking from Cisco telepresence rooms in San Jose, and Nashville, Tenn., respectively.

The discussion was moderated by a journalist in London and hosted at the show by Cisco's chief marketing officer Sue Bostrom, with others viewing it in the Netherlands and Dubai.

The point was that dispersed groups can meet without flying to the same place, thus not contributing to carbon-dioxide pollution that is the cause of climate change, although Bostrom noted she had to fly to Orlando to attend. "I wonder why I'm the one who had to travel, John," she joked with her boss. "I know the answer to that, and I'm OK with it."

Chambers and Bostrom outlined Cisco's efforts to cut carbon emissions in the way it runs the company and also in the power consumption of its products. The company has what it calls the Eco Board, a group of employees charged with finding new ways to cut emissions. Chambers said the company cut its carbon footprint 20% and saved $150 million after it was challenged by the Clinton administration to do so.

Gore said that U.S. leadership on the issue is necessary to solving it, and he expected that would change when President Bush leaves the White House next January because all the possible presidential candidates are more on board with fighting climate change.

Chambers said businesses seemed to be taking more concrete steps than government, but he agreed that leadership from the United States and China - two of the biggest polluter - would be a big step toward solving the problem. "In Silicon Valley we can make dreams come true," Chambers said, "but you can't do it without government leaders."

"Most business leaders are way ahead of political leaders," Gore said, "because a business leader looks at his own company and asks how it can cut down on carbon dioxide emissions."

Gore says government policy changes and treaties are needed to launch effective measures against global warming. He advocated in the United States revamping the tax system to reduce income taxes for individuals and businesses and make up lost revenue with a carbon tax. "It's a revenue neutral approach that discourages what we want less of and encourages what we want more of," Gore said. "All of our choices would be instantly clarified if we put a cost on carbon."

Chambers said investment tax credits and other incentives are needed to help start-ups working on the problem.

Both Gore and Chambers said they were optimistic that the problem can be solved, but the effort has to start soon.

"It's time to set goals," Chambers said.

Gore referred to an African proverb that says if you want to travel quickly, travel alone. If you want to travel far, travel together. "We need to travel far quickly," he said.