Al Gore: Sarah Palin and Warming Skeptics in "Air of Unreality"
4760191Former Vice President Al Gore said today that the evidence of global warming is unequivocal and that those who claim otherwise -- such as Sarah Palin -- "persist in an air of unreality."
Palin, the 2008 Republican vice presidential candidate, wrote in a Washington Post op-ed today that President Obama should boycott the United Nations summit on global warming in Copenhagen because the issue has become politicized. In a recent Facebook post, she called climate science "junk science and doomsday scare tactics."
Gore hit back at Palin and other global warming skeptics on MSNBC today.
"The entire North Polar ice cap is disappearing before our eyes," Gore said. "What do they think is happening?"
The discovery that CO2 traps heat was made 150 years ago, Gore points out. He adds: "That is a principle in physics. It's not a question of debate. It's like gravity; it exists."
"The scientific community has worked very intensively for 20 years within this international process, and they now say the evidence is unequivocal," he said.
The Republican party has "gotten into a global warming denier posture," Gore said, even though the issue should not be political.
"It really is a moral issue," he said. "It speaks to the responsibility of the present generation to take steps to safeguard those generations yet to come, because this has now reached the level where, if we were not to act, the consequences already beginning at a low levels are predicted to reach catastrophic levels, unless we take steps to prevent it from that."
Furthermore, the former politician said, the response to global warming can bring jobs back the United States. He pointed out that Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm -- who represents one of the states hit hardest by the bad economy -- is a strong advocate for "green" jobs.
"Building the smart grid, building the solar, wind, geothermal, renewable energy systems, planting trees -- these are all job-creators that help to stimulate the economy and produce sustainable growth," Gore said.
© 2009 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. Palin, the 2008 Republican vice presidential candidate, wrote in a Washington Post op-ed today that President Obama should boycott the United Nations summit on global warming in Copenhagen because the issue has become politicized. In a recent Facebook post, she called climate science "junk science and doomsday scare tactics."
Gore hit back at Palin and other global warming skeptics on MSNBC today.
"The entire North Polar ice cap is disappearing before our eyes," Gore said. "What do they think is happening?"
The discovery that CO2 traps heat was made 150 years ago, Gore points out. He adds: "That is a principle in physics. It's not a question of debate. It's like gravity; it exists."
"The scientific community has worked very intensively for 20 years within this international process, and they now say the evidence is unequivocal," he said.
The Republican party has "gotten into a global warming denier posture," Gore said, even though the issue should not be political.
"It really is a moral issue," he said. "It speaks to the responsibility of the present generation to take steps to safeguard those generations yet to come, because this has now reached the level where, if we were not to act, the consequences already beginning at a low levels are predicted to reach catastrophic levels, unless we take steps to prevent it from that."
Furthermore, the former politician said, the response to global warming can bring jobs back the United States. He pointed out that Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm -- who represents one of the states hit hardest by the bad economy -- is a strong advocate for "green" jobs.
"Building the smart grid, building the solar, wind, geothermal, renewable energy systems, planting trees -- these are all job-creators that help to stimulate the economy and produce sustainable growth," Gore said.
Popular in Politics
- IRS' Lerner: "I have not done anything wrong" 485 Comments
- Officials on Benghazi: "We made mistakes, but without malice"
- Obama to view Oklahoma tornado damage Sunday
- Christie: Keep politics out of Oklahoma disaster relief
- Anthony Weiner comeback try begins: Running for NYC mayor 118 Comments
- Major immigration overhaul passes first big test 68 Comments
- Will tornado relief funding escape politics?
- Va. GOP candidate won't apologize for comments on abortion, gays















If he doesn't do these things - and is evading all of them - people will treat him as a fraud and a joke. It's already happening.
While desertification in Africa is due to slash and burn.
The actual powers that be are deeply imbedded out of sight from the public. They do not care whom is in charge. Resumes are all adjusted to accomodate the new leader. Easy as Mr Rogers changing his sweater and into tennis shoes. It may be true that ice melts. It may be true that we have had dorks in charge of our country. Stooping to these two as any type of valid choice...REALLY? Shame on you!!!!
Gov Sarah Palin did NOT say climate Change was junk science. You should be ashamed of yourselves, you continuously lie on our public airwaves.
Sarah Palin said, "Policy decisions require real science and real solutions, not junk science and doomsday scare tactics"
And, you might also note that Gov Palin set new goals for renewable energy far more than any other Governor, let alone Federal, after achieving such a high amount already from renewable energy, she increased the goal to an incredible 50 pct by 2020.
I will anxiously await your retraction and again, apology to Sarah Palin