Al Gore and the environment

Al Gore is the former Vice President of the United States (1993–2001), the 2000 Democratic Party presidential nominee, and the co-recipient of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. He has been involved with the environmental activist movement for a number of decades.

Childhood

Gore stated in an interview for the "New York Times" that his interest in environmentalism began when he was a teenager:

:As I was entering high school, my mother was reading "Silent Spring" and the dinner table conversation was about pesticides and the environment [...] The year I graduated from college the momentum was building for "Earth Day." After Vietnam, as I was entering divinity school, the Club of Rome report came out and the limits to growth was a main issue.cite web
url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=950DE3DF1430F937A25755C0A96F948260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=print
title=Greening of Democrats: An 80's Mix of Idealism And Shrewd Politics
accessdate= 2008-06-28
author=
last=DIONNE,
first=E. J.
authorlink=
coauthors=
date=June 14, 1989
work=
publisher= "New York Times"]

Politics

Congress

Gore has been involved with the environment for a number of decades. In 1976, after joining the United States House of Representatives, Gore held the "first congressional hearings on the climate change, and co-sponsor [ed] hearings on toxic waste and global warming."cite web
url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2007/oct/12/climatechange1
title= Timeline: Al Gore
accessdate= 2008-06-18
author=
last=Aldred
first=Jessica
authorlink=
coauthors=
date=October 12, 2007
work=
publisher="The Guardian"] cite web
url=http://www.thenation.com/doc/20060612/corn
title= Timeline: Al Gore
accessdate= 2008-06-28
author=
last=Corn
first=David
authorlink=
coauthors=
date=May 25, 2006
work=
publisher="The Nation"] He continued to speak on the topic throughout the 1980scite web
url=http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1670871,00.html
title= A Green Tipping Point
accessdate= 2008-06-28
author=
last= Walsh
first=Bryan
authorlink=
coauthors=
date=Oct. 12, 2007
work=
publisher="TIME"] and was known as one of the "Atari Democrats", later called the "Democrats' Greens, politicians who see issues like clean air, clean water and global warming as the key to future victories for their party."cite web
url=http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/generic/VP_Albert_Gore.htm
title=Albert A. Gore, Jr., 45th Vice President (1993–2001)
accessdate= 2008-06-22
author=
last=
first=
authorlink=
coauthors=
date=
work=
publisher=senate.gov]

In 1989, while still a Senator, Gore published an editorial in the "Washington Post", in which he argued

Humankind has suddenly entered into a brand new relationship with the planet Earth. The world's forests are being destroyed; an enormous hole is opening in the ozone layer. Living species are dying at an unprecedented rate. [ [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/12/AR2007101200827_pf.html Earth's Fate Is the No. 1 National Security Issue] ]

In 1990, Senator Gore presided over a three-day conference with legislators from over 42 countries which sought to create a "Global Marshall Plan," "under which industrial nations would help less developed countries grow economically while still protecting the environment." [ cite web |title = World's Legislators Urge 'Marshall Plan' For the Environment |url =http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CEED7173FF930A35756C0A966958260 |date = 03 May 1990 |accessdate = 2008-03-10 |work = |publisher = New York Times |author = PHILIP SHABECOFF]

"The Concord Monitor" says that Gore "was one of the first politicians to grasp the seriousness of climate change and to call for a reduction in emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouses gases. [ cite web |title = Oscar win was one more first for Al Gore |url = http://www.cmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070227/REPOSITORY/702270330/1027/OPINION01 |date = 27 February 2007 |accessdate = 2007-05-29 |work = Monitor editorial |publisher = Concord Monitor |author = Monitor staff]

Vice presidency

As Vice-President, Gore was involved in a number of initiatives related to the environment. He launched the GLOBE program on Earth Day 1994, an education and science activity that, according to Forbes magazine, "made extensive use of the Internet to increase student awareness of their environment". [ [http://www.forbes.com/facesinthenews/2006/09/21/gore-google-yahoo-face-cx_cn_0920autofacescan06.html "Gore really does get the web"] . Forbes. September 21, 2006.] In the late 1990s, Gore strongly pushed for the passage of the Kyoto Protocol, which called for reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. [cite news |url= http://web.archive.org/web/20001207090900/www.algore.com/speeches/speeches_kyoto_120897.html |title=Remarks By Al Gore, Climate Change Conference|accessdate=2006-09-01] [cite news|url= http://clinton5.nara.gov/WH/EOP/OVP/initiatives/environment.html |title=Vice President Gore: Strong Environmental Leadership for the New Millennium |accessdate=2006-09-01] He was opposed by the Senate, which passed unanimously (95-0) the Byrd-Hagel Resolution (S. Res. 98), [cite web|url=http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=105&session=1&vote=00205 |title= U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 105th Congress — 1st Session:S.Res. 98|date=1997-07-25 |accessdate=2007-01-31] which stated the sense of the Senate was that the United States should not be a signatory to any protocol that did not include binding targets and timetables for developing as well as industrialized nations or "would result in serious harm to the economy of the United States". [cite web|url=http://www.nationalcenter.org/KyotoSenate.html |title= Text of the Byrd-Hagel Resolution|date=1997-07-25 |accessdate=2006-11-05] On November 12 1998, Gore symbolically signed the protocol. Both Gore and Senator Joseph Lieberman indicated that the protocol would not be acted upon in the Senate until there was participation by the developing nations. [cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/1997/12/11/kyoto/ |date=1997-12-11 |title=Clinton Hails Global Warming Pact |work =All Politics |publisher =CNN |accessdate=2006-11-05] The Clinton Administration never submitted the protocol to the Senate for ratification. In 1998, Gore began promoting a NASA satellite that would provide a constant view of Earth, marking the first time such an image would have been made since The Blue Marble photo from the 1972 Apollo 17 mission. The "Triana" satellite would have been permanently mounted in the L₁ Lagrangian Point, 1.5 million km away. [ cite web|url=http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/1998/03/980317071006.htm |title=Earth-Viewing Satellite Would Focus On Educational, Scientific Benefits|accessdate=2007-02-25 |work=Science Daily] During this time, he also became associated with Digital Earth. [ cite web |url = http://www.isde5.org/history.htm |title = Digital Earth History |work = The 5th International Symposium on Digital Earth]

2001 - present

Generation Investment Management

In 2004, Gore co-launched Generation Investment Management, a company for which he serves as Chair. The company was "a new London fund management firm that plans to create environment-friendly portfolios. Generation Investment will manage assets of institutional investors, such as pension funds, foundations and endowments, as well as those of 'high net worth individuals,' from offices in London and Washington, D.C."cite web
url=http://www.sptimes.com/2004/11/10/news_pf/Business/Business_Today.shtml
title=Business Today
accessdate= 2008-06-18
author=
last=
first=
authorlink=
coauthors=
date=10 Nov 2004
work=
publisher="St. Petersburg Times"]

Gore was later criticized by two bloggers who argue that he maintains carbon neutrality by purchasing carbon credits from GIM.cite web
url= http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=54528
title= THE HEAT IS ON: Gore's 'carbon offsets' paid to firm he owns
accessdate= 2008-07-18
author=
last=
first=
authorlink=
coauthors=
date= March 02, 2007
work=
publisher= worldnetdaily.com] In response to the bloggers´ accusation, a spokesman for GIM stated that "Gore is not profiting from his crusade against global warming" and that Gore does not purchase carbon credits from Generation. Instead, Generation purchases carbon credits from third party providers such as the Carbon Neutral Company to offset the personal emissions of all employees and their families, including Gore's. He also stated that Generation does not sell carbon credits, nor does it develop them--rather, they voluntarily purchase credits from others on behalf of employees.cite web
url=http://www.generationim.com/news/memberships.html
title= Memberships and Initiatives
accessdate= 2008-07-18
author=
last=
first=
authorlink=
coauthors=
date=
work=
publisher= generationim.com]

We can solve it

Gore and The Alliance for Climate Protection created the "We Can Solve It" organization, a web-based program with multiple advertisements on television focused on spreading awareness for global warming and petitioning for the press putting more attention on the crisis, the government doing more to help the environment, and their ultimate goal is the end to global warming. Although focused mostly upon the United States, and Americans, it is an international petition and effort. It already has over one million signatures. [http://www.wecansolveit.org/]

Lectures and conferences

In recent years, Gore has remained busy traveling the world speaking and participating in events mainly aimed towards global warming awareness and prevention. [cite video | title = Al Gore - speech at ENBW Part 2 | medium = internet video | url = http://www.webcastr.com/videos/informational/al-gore-speech-at-enbw-part-2.html] His keynote presentation on global warming has received standing ovations, and he has presented it at least 1,000 times according to his monologue in "An Inconvenient Truth". His speaking fee is $100,000. [ [http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2007/0717071gore1.html Al Gore, $100,000 Man] July 17, 2007] Gore is a vocal proponent of carbon neutrality, buying a carbon offset each time he travels by aircraft. [cite news |url= http://www.guardian.co.uk/climatechange/story/0,,1786438,00.html |title=Born Again |publisher=Guardian Unlimited |date=2006-05-31] Gore and his family drive hybrid vehicles. [cite news|url= http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0606/13/lkl.01.html |title=Larry King Live — Interview with Al Gore |publisher=CNN |date=2006-06-13] In "An Inconvenient Truth" Gore calls for people to conserve energy.

In 2007, Al Gore was the main non-official representative for the United States in the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Bali, which is a series of discussions that plans to continue where the Kyoto Protocol left off when it expires in 2012. [cite news|url=http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071216144144.htm |date=2007-12-17 |title=UN Climate Convention in Bali |publisher =Science Daily |accessdate=2008-01-10] He used a famous World War II poem written by Pastor Martin Niemöller to describe how the international community is eerily accomplishing nothing in the face of the greatest crisis in human history. [cite news|url=http://www.undispatch.com/archives/2007/12/al_gores_bali_s.php|title=Al Gore's Speech in Bali|date=2007-12-13|accessdate=2008-01-08] He ended the speech using his famous tag line: "However, political will is a renewable resource." [cite news|url=http://www.internationalrelations.house.gov/press_display.asp?id=465|title=Committee on Foreign Affairs|date=2007-12-13|accessdate=2008-01-08]

During Global Warming Awareness Month, on February 9, 2007, Al Gore and Richard Branson announced the "Virgin Earth Challenge", a competition offering a $25 million prize for the first person or organization to produce a viable design that results in the removal of atmospheric greenhouse gases. [ [http://www.virginearth.com/ Virgin Earth Challenge official web site] . Al Gore is listed as a judge.]

A public lecture at University of Toronto on February 21, 2007, on the topic of global warming, led to a crash of the ticket sales website within minutes of opening. [ [http://www.thestar.com/article/179465 "An Inconvenient Rush: Thousands out of luck as Gore talk sells out in minutes"] . "Toronto Star". February 8, 2007.]

In March 2008, Gore gave a talk via videoconferencing in order to promote this technology as a means, he argued, of fighting global warming. [ [http://computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&taxonomyName=hardware&articleId=9069758&taxonomyId=12&intsrc=kc_top Gore uses videoconferencing to make point on global warming] ]

On 17 July 2008, Gore gave a speech at the DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. in which he called for a move towards replacing a dependence upon "carbon-based fuels" with Green energy by the United States within the next ten years. Gore stated: "When President John F. Kennedy challenged our nation to land a man on the moon and bring him back safely in 10 years, many people doubted we could accomplish that goal. But 8 years and 2 months later, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walked on the surface of the moon."cite web
url=http://www.wecansolveit.org/content/pages/304
title= Al Gore: A Generational Challenge to Repower America (full text and video)
accessdate= 2008-07-18
author=
last=
first=
authorlink=
coauthors=
date= 2008-07-17
work=
publisher="We Campaign"] cite web
url= http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/18/washington/18gorecnd.html?em&ex=1216440000&en=0463598c5d68da66&ei=5087
title= Gore Calls for Carbon-Free Electric Power
accessdate= 2008-07-18
author=
last=Stout
first=David
authorlink=
coauthors=
date=2008-07-18
work=
publisher="New York Times"] Some criticized his plan. According to the BBC, "Robby Diamond, president of a bipartisan think tank called Securing America's Future Energy, said weaning the nation off fossil fuels could not be done in a decade. 'The country is not going to be able to go cold turkey [...] We have a hundred years of infrastructure with trillions of dollars of investment that is not simply going to be made obsolete.' " cite web
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7513002.stm
title= Gore challenges US to ditch oil
accessdate= 2008-07-18
author=
last=
first=
authorlink=
coauthors=
date=2008-07-18
work=
publisher="BBC"]

=Home energy use and "Green Power=

Gore's estate has been criticized twice by the group the Tennessee Center for Policy Research (TCPR). In February 2007 the group stated that their analysis of records from the Nashville Electric Service indicated that the Gore household uses "20 times as much electricity as the average household nationwide."cite web
url=http://www.tennesseepolicy.org/main/article.php?article_id=367
title= Al Gore’s Personal Energy Use Is His Own “Inconvenient Truth”
accessdate= 2008-07-18
author=
last=
first=
authorlink=
coauthors=
date=February 26, 2007
work=
publisher= TCPR] cite web
url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/28/AR2007022801823.html
title=War on Warming Begins at (Al Gore's) Home
accessdate= 2008-07-18
author=
last=
first=
authorlink=
coauthors= Chris Cillizza and Matthew Mosk
date=March 1, 2007
work=
publisher= "Washington Post"] In reporting on TCPR's claims, MSNBC noted that the Nashville Electric Service report "omits several other key facts. The former vice president's home has 20 rooms, including home offices for himself and his wife, as well as a guest house and special security measures. Furthermore, the Gores buy energy produced from renewable sources, such as wind and solar. Tonight, "Countdown" confirmed with the local utility officials that their program, called the "Green Power Switch", actually costs more for the Gores -- four dollars for every 150 kilowatt hours. Meaning, by our calculations, our math here, that the Gores actually chose to increase their electric bill by $5,893, more than 50 percent, in order to minimize carbon pollution."cite web | title=Reports on criticism of Gore omitted steps he reportedly took to reduce "carbon footprint"| date=2007-03-01 | accessdate=2008-07-18 |url=http://mediamatters.org/items/200703010008|publisher="Media Matters for America"] A few months later, the Associated Press reported on December 13 2007 that Gore "has completed a host of improvements to make the home more energy efficient, and a building-industry group has praised the house as one of the nation's most environmentally friendly [...] 'Short of tearing it down and starting anew, I don't know how it could have been rated any higher,' said Kim Shinn of the non-profit U.S. Green Building Council, which gave the house its second-highest rating for sustainable design."cite web
url=http://edition.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/12/13/gore.home.ap/
title=Gore Makes Nashville Home more 'Green'
accessdate= 2008-07-18
author=
last=
first=
authorlink=
coauthors=
date=2007-10-12
work=
publisher= CNN]

Gore was criticized by the TCPR again in June 2008 cite web
url=http://www.tennesseepolicy.org/main/article.php?article_id=764
title=Al Gore’s Personal Electricity Consumption Up 10% Despite “Energy-Efficient” Renovations
accessdate= 2008-07-18
author=
last=
first=
authorlink=
coauthors=
date=June 23, 2008
work=
publisher= TCPR] after the group obtained his public utility bills from the Nashville Electric Service and compared "electricity consumption between the 12 months before June 2007, when it says he installed his new technology, and the year since then."cite web
url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/2153179/Al-Gore's-electricity-bill-goes-through-the-(insulated)-roof.html
title=Al Gore's electricity bill goes through the (insulated) roof
accessdate= 2008-06-19
author=
last=Leonard
first=Tom
authorlink=
coauthors=
date=2008-06-18
work=
publisher="The Daily Telegraph"] According to their analysis, the Gores consumed 10% more energy in the year since their home received its eco-friendly modifications. TCPR also argued that, while the "average American household consumes 11,040 kWh in an entire year," the Gore residence "uses an average of 17,768 kWh per month –1,638 kWh more energy per month than before the renovations." Gore's spokeswoman Kalee Kreider countered the claim by stating that the Gores' "utility bills have gone down 40 percent since the green retrofit." and that "the three-year renovation on the home wasn't complete until November, so it's a bit early to attempt a before-and-after comparison."cite web
url=http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080618/NEWS0201/806180403/1009/news01
title=Group questions electricity use at Gore's Belle Meade house
accessdate= 2008-06-18
author=
last=Brooks
first=Jennifer
authorlink=
coauthors=
date=2008-06-18
work=
publisher="The Tennessean"] She also noted that TCPR did not include Gore's gas bill in their analysis (which they had done the previous year) and that the gas "bill has gone down 90 percent [...] And when the Gores do power up, they pay for renewable resources, like wind and solar power or methane gas."cite web
url=http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080619/COLUMNIST0101/806190354/1008/OPINION01
title=Gore pulls the plug on critics' claims
accessdate= 2008-06-19
author=
last=Kerr
first=Gail
authorlink=
coauthors=
date=2008-06-19
work=
publisher="The Tennessean"] "Media Matters for America" also discussed the fact that "100 percent of the electricity in his home comes from green power" and quoted the Tennessee Valley Authority as stating that " [a] lthough no source of energy is impact-free, renewable resources create less waste and pollution."cite web
url=http://mediamatters.org/items/200806190012?f=h_latest
title=Hume claimed Gore's "energy use has surged more than 10 percent," ignored Gore's response that it's all "green power"
accessdate= 2008-06-19
author=
last=
first=
authorlink=
coauthors=
date=2008-06-19
work=
publisher="Media Matters for America"]

All Electricity From Renewable Sources (AERS)

On July 21, 2008 Al Gore used a speech to challenge the United States to commit to producing all electricity from renewable sources (AERS) like solar and wind power in 10 years [ [http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/49420/story.htm Planet Ark : Gore: Make All US Electricity From Renewable Sources ] ] [ [http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/al-gore-sets-energy-goal-1142.html Greentech Media | Al Gore Sets Energy Goal ] ] .

Civil Disobedience to Stop Coal Plants

On September 24, 2008 Gore made the following statements in a speech given at the Clinton Global Initiative:

"If you're a young person looking at the future of this planet and looking at what is being done right now, and not done, I believe we have reached the stage where it is time for civil disobedience to prevent the construction of new coal plants that do not have carbon capture and sequestration." [http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSTRE48N7AA20080924?feedType=RSS&feedName=environmentNews&rpc=22&sp=true]

These remarks were similar to ones he'd made the previous year:

“I can’t understand why there aren’t rings of young people blocking bulldozers,” Mr. Gore said, “and preventing them from constructing coal-fired power plants.” [http://select.nytimes.com/2007/08/16/opinion/16kristof.html?_r=2&scp=1&sq=Al%20Gore%20bulldozers%20Kristoff&st=cse&oref=slogin&oref=slogin]

Books, film, television, and live performances

"An Inconvenient Truth"

Gore starred in the documentary film "An Inconvenient Truth", released on May 24, 2006. The film documents the evidence for anthropogenic global warming and warns of the consequences of people not making immediate changes to their behavior. It is the fourth-highest-grossing documentary in U.S. history. [http://www.boxofficemojo.com/genres/chart/?id=documentary.htm "DOCUMENTARY: 1982–Present"] . "Box Office Mojo". (Rankings).]

After "An Inconvenient Truth" was nominated for an Academy Award, Donna Brazile (Gore's campaign chairwoman from the 2000 campaign) speculated that Gore might announce a possible presidential candidacy for the 2008 election. During a speech on January 31, 2007, at Moravian College, Brazile stated, "Wait till Oscar night, I tell people: 'I'm dating. I haven't fallen in love yet. On Oscar night, if Al Gore has slimmed down 25 or 30 pounds, Lord knows.'" [ [http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/02/02/2008-democrats-in-town/ "2008: Democrats in Town"] . "The New York Times". (Blog). February 2, 2007] During the award ceremony, Gore and actor Leonardo DiCaprio shared the stage to speak about the "greening" of the ceremony itself. Gore began to give a speech that appeared to be leading up to an announcement that he would run for president. However, background music drowned him out and he was escorted offstage, implying that it was a rehearsed gag, [cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6401865.stm | title=Washington diary: Al meets Oscar | publisher="BBC News" | date=2007-02-28 | accessdate=2008-01-03] [cite news|url=http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/story?id=2903909 | title=Will Al's Oscar Bounce Put Him in the Race? | publisher=ABC News | date=2007-02-26 | accessdate=2008-02-04] which he later acknowledged. [cite news | url=http://www.voanews.com/english/archive/2007-02/2007-02-27-voa40.cfm?CFID=192598583&CFTOKEN=29735485 | title=Gore's Oscar Win Prompts New Political Speculation | author=Jim Malone | publisher=Voice of America | date=2007-02-27 | accessdate=2008-02-03]

After winning the 2007 Academy Award for Documentary Feature.cite news |title=79th Annual Academy Awards |url=http://www.oscar.com/oscarnight/winners/?pn=detail&nominee=AnInconvenientTruthDocumentaryFeatureNominee |work= |publisher=OSCAR.com |accessdate=2007-05-24] the Oscar was awarded to director Davis Guggenheim, who asked Gore to join him and other members of the crew on stage. Gore then gave a brief speech, saying, "My fellow Americans, people all over the world, we need to solve the climate crisis. It's not a political issue; it's a moral issue. We have everything we need to get started, with the possible exception of the will to act. That's a renewable resource. Let's renew it." [ [http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/02/25/gore-wins-hollywood-in-a-landslide/ "Gore Wins Hollywood in a Landslide"] ]

Books

Gore wrote "Earth in the Balance" (which was published in 1992) while his six-year-old son Albert was recovering from a serious accident. It became the first book written by a sitting Senator to make "The New York Times" bestseller list since John F. Kennedy's "Profiles in Courage". [ [http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/generic/VP_Albert_Gore.htm Albert A. Gore, Jr., 45th Vice President (1993–2001)] ]

Gore also published the book "", which became a bestseller. In reference to the use of nuclear power to mitigate global warming, Gore has stated, "Nuclear energy is not the panacea for tackling global warming." [ [http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/the-truth-nuclear-is-not-the-answer/2006/11/16/1163266712885.html The truth? 'Nuclear is not the answer' at TheAge.com.au] ]

Futurama

Gore appeared in Matt Groening's "Futurama" as himself and his own head in a jar in episodes related to environmentalism. Gore also reprised the role in the 2007 film, "." [cite web | first = Jack | last = Zulkey | url = http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jack-zulkey/al-gore-the-futurama_b_51200.html | title = Al Gore, The Futurama President | publisher = Huffington Post | date = June 7, 2007 | accessdate = 2007-06-08 ] In 2000 Gore had offered to appear in the 2000 season finale of "Futurama", "Anthology of Interest I". In this episode, Gore led his team of "Vice Presidential Action Rangers" in their goal to protect the space-time continuum. [ cite web | title = Veep guest stars in TV cartoon | url = http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/e1831.htm | author = Associated Press | date = May 22, 2000 | accessdate = 2007-06-06 ] In 2002, Gore appeared in the episode "Crimes of the Hot". [ cite web | url = http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/features/20021108-1750-ca-people-gore.html | title = Al Gore reprises role on 'Futurama' cartoon | author = Associated Press | date = November 8, 2002 | accessdate = 2007-06-06 ] In addition, Gore used a short clip from "Futurama" to explain how global warming works in his presentations as well as in "An Inconvenient Truth". [cite web | last = Clarke | first = Donald | title = You Go, Gore | publisher = Irish Times | url = http://www.ireland.com/theticket/articles/2006/0915/1158001563481.html | date = September 15, 2006 | accessdate = 2007-06-06 ] An internet promo for "An Inconvenient Truth" titled "A Terrifying Message From Al Gore" was also produced by Groening and David X. Cohen, creators of "Futurama", starring Gore and Bender (John DiMaggio).cite video | people= David X. Cohen, Al Gore and Matt Groening|year=2007|title=Futurama:Bender's Big Score DVD commentary for "A Terrifying Message From Al Gore"| medium=DVD|publisher=20th Century Fox]

Live Earth

On July 7, 2007, the first Live Earth benefit concerts were held around the world in an effort to raise awareness about climate change. The event was the brainchild of Gore and Kevin Wall of Save Our Selves. On July 21, 2007, Gore announced he was teaming with actress Cameron Diaz for a TV climate contest, "60 Seconds to Save the Earth," to gain people's support in solving the climate crisis. [cite news
url = http://www.liveearth.org/?p=22
title = “Live Earth” Concerts in All 7 Continents to Reach Global Audience of Over 2 Billion] Live Earth India 2008, the second Live Earth event, will be held on December 7, 2008 in Mumbai, India. [ [http://www.liveearth.org/?cat=44 Official 2008 Live Earth Announcement] ]

2007 Nobel Peace Prize and India

Gore was awarded the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize, which was shared by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, headed by Rajendra K. Pachauri (Delhi, India). [ cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7041747.stm|title=Indian's surprise at Nobel award|publisher=BBC|date=2007-10-12|author=BBC] The award was given "for their efforts to build up and disseminate greater knowledge about man-made climate change, and to lay the foundations for the measures that are needed to counteract such change" on October 12, 2007. cite web|url=http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/2007/ |title=Peace 2007 |accessdate=2007-10-12 |publisher=Nobel Foundation]

Gore made the following statement after receiving the prize:quotation |I am deeply honored to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. This award is even more meaningful because I have the honor of sharing it with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change—the world's pre-eminent scientific body devoted to improving our understanding of the climate crisis—a group whose members have worked tirelessly and selflessly for many years. We face a true planetary emergency. The climate crisis is not a political issue, it is a moral and spiritual challenge to all of humanity. It is also our greatest opportunity to lift global consciousness to a higher level.

My wife, Tipper, and I will donate 100 percent of the proceeds of the award to the Alliance for Climate Protection, a bipartisan non-profit organization that is devoted to changing public opinion in the U.S. and around the world about the urgency of solving the climate crisis. [cite web|url=http://blog.algore.com/2007/10/i_am_deeply_honored.html|title=I am deeply honored|author=Al Gore|publisher=Al Gore|date=2007-10-12]

Gore and Pachauri accepted the Nobel Peace Prize for 2007 in Oslo, Norway on December 10, 2007. [cite web|url=http://blog.algore.com/2007/12/nobel_prize_acceptance_speech.html|title=Nobel Prize Acceptance Speech, December 10, 2007|author=Al Gore|publisher=Al Gore|date=2007-12-10] [Aftenposten Newspaper: [http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article2145488.ece Peace Prize winners issue urgent calls for action] ]

In a talk given during March 2008 in Delhi, Gore argued that India, as a leader in information technology, is in a particularly strong position to also lead the way in climate change. [ [http://www.forbes.com/markets/feeds/afx/2008/03/16/afx4777551.html India can lead world in renewable energy - Al Gore] ] [ [http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Al_Gores_India_vision/articleshow/2870224.cms Al Gore's India vision] ] [ [http://www.hindu.com/2008/03/16/stories/2008031657490100.htm India can show the way, says Al Gore] ] This talk coincided with the release of two children's books by Gore jointly published with the India Habitat Centre. [http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/001200803151531.htm Al Gore releases children's Book on climate change] ]

elected honors and awards

*2008 Dan David Prize: "Social Responsibility with Particular Emphasis on the Environment."Citation
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title =Al Gore and Amos Oz Among 2008 Dan David Prize Winners
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*2008 "The Gore resolution (HJR712)" passed by the Tennessee House of Representatives which honors Gore's "efforts to curb global warming." [cite web|url=http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2008/jan/11/house-passes-resolution-to-honor-gores-efforts/ |title= House passes resolution to honor Gore's efforts |accessdate=2008-01-11 |publisher=knoxnews.com]
*2007 "Gothenburg Prize for Sustainable Development" [cite web|url=http://www.sr.se/cgi-bin/International/nyhetssidor/artikel.asp?ProgramID=2054&Nyheter=&artikel=1542600|title=Al Gore To Be Awarded Gothenburg Prize For Sustainability |accessdate=2008-01-06 |publisher=SR International - Radio Sweden]
*2007 Nobel Peace Prize with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) (environment)
*2007 International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences: "Founders Award" for "Current TV" and for work in the area of global warming [ [http://www.iemmys.tv/news_item.aspx?id=45 2007 Awards for the International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences] ]
*2007 Prince of Asturias Award in Spain (environment) [ cite web|url=http://www.fundacionprincipedeasturias.org/ing/04/premiados/trayectorias/trayectoria815.html |title=Al Gore |accessdate=2007-07-17 |publisher=Prince of Asturias Foundation]
*2007 "The Sir David Attenborough Award for Excellence in Nature Filmmaking" (environment) [Lisa Knox Burns. [http://www.edhat.com/site/tidbit.cfm?id=1656 "Gore to People: It's Up to US"] "edhat.com".]
*2006 Quill Awards: History/current events/politics, "An Inconvenient Truth"

Bibliography

Books

* cite book |title = The Path to Survival |first = Al |last = Gore |year = 2009, forthcoming |publisher = Rodale Books |id = ISBN 1594867348
* cite book |title = |first = Al |last = Gore |year = 2008|publisher = Rodale Books |id = ISBN 1605299901
*"Know Climate Change" and "101 Q and A on Climate Change" from 'Save Planet Earth Series', 2008 (children's books)
* cite book |title = An Inconvenient Truth: The Planetary Emergency of Global Warming and What We can do about it |first = Al |last = Gore |year = 2006 |publisher = New York: Rodale Books |id = ISBN 1594865671
* cite book |title = Earth in the Balance: Forging a New Common Purpose |publisher = Earthscan |year = 1992 |first = Al |last = Gore |id = ISBN 0618056645

Articles, speeches, and introductions

* [http://www.sierraclub.org/pressroom/speeches/2005-09-09algore.asp Transcript of Al Gore's speech at the Sierra Summit, September 9, 2005] .
* [http://www.isde5.org/al_gore_speech.htm The Digital Earth: Understanding our planet in the 21st Century, by Vice President Al Gore, Given at the California Science Center, Los Angeles, California, on January 31, 1998] .
* [http://undertow.arch.gatech.edu/Homepages/virtualopera/cyber24/SITE/essay/gore.htm Vice President Al Gore's introduction to "Earthwatch: 24 Hours In Cyberspace] . February 8, 1996. "24 Hours in Cyberspace"
*" [http://www.springerlink.com/content/k2570663t87507ug/ Understanding Earth: Retrospectives and Visions post conferences report] ." "Geojournal," Volume 37, Number 3 / November, 1995.
*" [http://www.uneco.org/ssalgoreintro.html Introduction] . In "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson. 1994. New York : Houghton-Mifflin.
*" [http://www.gcrio.org/USCCAP/toc.html The Climate Change Action Plan] ." Washington, D.C.: The White House, October, 1993 (with William Clinton).
* [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1590/is_n1_v50/ai_14390995/print News briefs — Vice President Albert Gore, Jr., talks about the environment — Letter to the Editor] , "Science World", 3 September 1993.
* [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?db=pubmed&uid=12284961&cmd=showdetailview&indexed=google "We must challenge the unthinkable"] . "Integration." 1992 Mar;(31):18-23.
*" [http://www.osti.gov/energycitations/product.biblio.jsp?osti_id=7129230 Gaining our eco-librium] ." Forum for Applied Research and Public Policy ; Vol/Issue: 5:2, June 1, 1990.
*" [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CE1D91F3AF931A15757C0A966958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=print To Skeptics on Global Warming . . .] ." "New York Times", April 22, 1990.
* [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/12/AR2007101200827_pf.html Earth's Fate Is the No. 1 National Security Issue] - "Washington Post", 14 May 1989