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Branson makes 3bn climate pledge »
Posted by: jeremytoday 2 years agoVirgin boss Richard Branson has pledged to donate $3bn (£1.6bn) to fight global warming.
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Comments: 157
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Cabela
Sept. 21, 2006, 12:16 p.m.I think Branson is so cool. I love his totally casual approach to being a billionaire businessman. When I grow up to be a billionaire, I want to be just like him.
So? Don't consumers all win from this? So what if it *also* helps him?
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Eagle_Eye
Sept. 21, 2006, 12:19 p.m.I love this guy!!! Like Bill Gates, Ted Turner, these men are using their money to make a better world, unlike Cheney who is making a killing with Haliburton....may he roast in hell....God has already struck him 2x and he still is just as Greedy!! I am sure now that he didn't see his near death experience because it was all "black" just like hell....only the flames didn't get to him in time to make an impact....
It is wonderful to know that there are wealthy people like this that do care about the future and want a better world for the following generations. Hip, Hip, Hurray Sir Branson!!!
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oreooreo
Sept. 21, 2006, 12:23 p.m.Well better he waste his money on a phantom problem, then using it to support a phantom candidate.
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fars
Sept. 21, 2006, 12:25 p.m.Is is global warming or global "warning"?
there is a mistake up there!
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oreooreo
Sept. 21, 2006, 12:38 p.m.fars:
haven't seen you for a while, missed you?
See you haven't evolved past your spellchecking mentality. Nice to see things haven't changed.
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2Labs
Sept. 21, 2006, 12:39 p.m.Eagle Eye:
Your hatered is confounding. Is there something intrinsically evil about wealth? Would Branson be evil if he kept it for himself (Which he is)? He's simply investing in a technology/energy venture which he owns and we all know that when these investments succeed they suceed BIG!
I admire him too. He's smart!
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oreooreo
Sept. 21, 2006, 12:42 p.m.Revision:
Let me revise my remark above. I do believe searching for alternative energy sources is nobel,(thats for you Fars see I pointed out my own mispelling) but I was commenting that the man made global warming aspect is phantom at best.
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Webreader
Sept. 21, 2006, 12:48 p.m.Hey, this is one of the most common 'typos' in the media these days, but it works! Global WARMING is a global warning. We've been warned for nearly 50 years now, dating back at least to Rachel Carson's {Silent Spring}heyday. Bless Branson and Bill Clinton, et al.
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lfergie812
Sept. 21, 2006, 12:49 p.m.Now if only some of the others, with more money then they or their family will ever spend,would chip in.
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zman
Sept. 21, 2006, 12:51 p.m.Very good news. Many of our childrens children will be very thankful someone acted. Bravo Mr. Branson!
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2Labs
Sept. 21, 2006, 1:12 p.m.Yes rrrtx, he does. And as I'm sure you know in the process of generating all those billions in profits he has contributed significantly towards the global warming problem, assuming it exists. He's as tired of seeing his airline profits being hijacked by high oil prices as anybody else is. The difference is he has the wherewithal to attempt to do something about it. He wants to invest in alternative energy, wrap it in the cloack of altruism and turn the former president and his loyal fans into his cheerleadres. Hopefully in the end He'll reap bigger profits. Again, he's smart.
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khidrsahib
Sept. 21, 2006, 1:20 p.m.2labs
when the money made is by shotchanging employees and by the suffering of others it is evil. When you make money by overcharging the same country you profess to love as Cheney does. Well lets just say what comes around goes around.The true God that you all give lip service to because it is easier that following his principles WILL sort things out.
There are more important things than money.Alexander the Great was paraded around after death as he wished, with his empty hands displayed to illustrate that you cannot take it with you.Time would be better spent earning that which will stay with you!
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vor
Sept. 21, 2006, 1:20 p.m."2006-09-21 12:48:06 Webreader: Send Message
Hey, this is one of the most common 'typos' in the media these days, but it works! Global WARMING is a global warning. We've been warned for nearly 50 years now, dating back at least to Rachel Carson's {Silent Spring}heyday. Bless Branson and Bill Clinton, et al."
Your right, good reference on Rachel Carson. Yet the Right must be really confused by this. Especially Rush Limbaugh. Why would somebody donate billions to fight an issue that doesn't exist? They are so involved in finding ways to destroy the Earth and its inhabitants they aren't concerned about what the Earth will look like in fifty years. If they stay in power the rest of us probably won't have to worry either.
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joeblowe
Sept. 21, 2006, 1:21 p.m.Hey! What an amazing coincidence! I just happen to have a perfect and foolproof plan to totally eliminate global warming. And, it will only cost 3 billion dollars U.S. Soon as Richard sends me the money I'll start right in on it and save the world. Got to go check the mailbox...
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Mat347
Sept. 21, 2006, 1:30 p.m.Hey, I thought this guy was supposed to step down from Virgin and give it to the winner of his reality TV show...anyway..I like the guy as well....but there already IS a way to get "free" non-polluting energy. The Earth is a huge magnet, all we have to do is either get a space tether(should be possible with carbon nano-tubes) or beam the energy back to earth via microwave(could be dangerous). A recent space mission proved that a simple conductor(they used copper wire) can easily harness the energy...it actually EXCEEDED their expectations by ~300%.
If I had the resources this guy did...I would get this project rolling.
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Bobola
Sept. 21, 2006, 1:32 p.m.As usual great philantropists first appropriate profits that were generated by their employees and should be rightfully divided between them and then spent such funds on projects that are either irrelevant or which try to solve problems to which creation their own companies contributed. The basic cause of global warming are human activities and related damage to the biosphere. Unless we are able to limit growth of human population technological progress will be just prolonging inevitable results of our existence. Of course, we could do less damage to the environment e.g. by limiting use of SUVs or ending senseless move of goods thanks to the global trade. We could also stop deforestation of vast areas by returning to older building technologies. However I just do not see it happen. Too much business and self interests would be affected.
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Eagle_Eye
Sept. 21, 2006, 1:40 p.m.2 Labs: you need glasses, reread my post:
((It is wonderful to know that there are wealthy people like this that do care about the future and want a better world for the following generations. Hip, Hip, Hurray Sir Branson!!!))
duhhh
I also gave tribute to Bill Gates and Ted Turner who also are giving away billions! I have alot against wealthy people like Cheney that do nothing to help this world...I think an apology is do....
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progressive-bum
Sept. 21, 2006, 1:42 p.m.Bravo, Sir Branson! So what if he's in it to ultimately reap the benefits of alternative energy sources? He proves that capitalism can have a conscience; more power to him!
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2Labs
Sept. 21, 2006, 1:46 p.m.khidrsahib: First I think you are making some very broad assumptions about Vice President Cheney that I highly doubt you can support. Secondly can you clarify what you are saying in this quote? "The true God that you all give lip service to because it is easier that following his principles WILL sort things out." It appears that you acknowledge that our God, I assume you mean a christian God, is the true god, yet by you label I might make the mistake of assuming you are muslim. This doesn't seem to jive for me and I don't want to presume.
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2Labs
Sept. 21, 2006, 1:53 p.m.Sorry Eagle Eye I don't see an apology forthcoming. My point is that you seem to judge these people as evil or not based on weather they reinvest it in income producing ways or give it to causes of which you approve. Again I ask, would you consider Mr. Branson Evil if he did not pledge future profits to himself as he did. Please keep in mind that the story says he will donate future profits. If there are no profits he gives up nothingl. But because he is giving up profits he is morelikely to generate them because his chearleaders, like yourself are more likely to use his products and services when the choice comes. Put on your business cap for a moment if you have one. Of course it probably has horns on it.
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jkbella
Sept. 21, 2006, 2:06 p.m.I have a favorite expression: It is not a meal unless everybody eats! In this case, in any order that pleases you who want to quibble about who eats more or first:
Earth and the people who live on it, America, England, The East, the West, Branson, Clinton, the Economy. Who have I forgotten? Oh, the people who will not eat with gusto-
The Middle East.
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Eagle_Eye
Sept. 21, 2006, 2:14 p.m.2Labs: I have no doubt that Sir Branson will see much profit in the future because he is a wonderful business man..therefore there will be much more money to help the needs of the world. God will bless him with lot's of money....but you acccused me of being hateful against wealthy people when I only singled out Cheney.....I love being wealthy!!!! Allows me to be a full time volunteer for my God and country the past 30 years!! Now go pick up your pay check from the Republican party.
Since you have no profile I have no idea who or what you are. My profile clearly states I am a woman doing God's work and I have a halo...the horns are yours....
Webreader: Racheal Carson's book "Silent Spring" opened my eyes up 20 years ago so that I could do the work I do. God Bless her and all the people that care about the earth.
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Eagle_Eye
Sept. 21, 2006, 2:21 p.m.froggy57: I read your post's regarding running for President the other day, LOL, you have my and hubby's votes!!
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2Labs
Sept. 21, 2006, 2:28 p.m.Eagle Eye:
At your prompting, I read your bio. How nice for you. It appears even more to me that you are flying with your eyes wide shut. First, it appears that you believed everything that they taught you in school, then you red a nice little book and know you believe everything that the nice little book told you and you redirected your life. It really doesn't matter I suppose as long as your happy and are pursuing your goals.
Do you wish to expound on how the BIG Oil and Chemical companies handicapped you? If they were little oil and chemical companies would they have crippled you any less?
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