Al Gore urges scientists to be political to face a threat to 'the entirety of human civilization'

February 19, 4:23 PMDenver Weather ExaminerTony Hake

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Former vice president Al Gore speaking at the annual
AAAS meeting on Friday, February 13th.  (AAAS)
Click here for our slideshow of "Who's Hot, Who's Not" in
the global warming debate.

Speaking this past Friday at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) annual meeting, former Vice President Al Gore urged scientists to get involved politically to push the anthropogenic global warming (AGW) theory. Touting the need for swift and immediate action to avert what he believes is a climate crisis, Gore urged scientists to use what he feels is a changing political environment to push the agenda of those that believe man is on the brink of destruction.

During his 50 minute presentation, the self-appointed head of the AGW movement spoke to a “rapt” audience describing a scary picture of Earth’s future.  Ice caps melting, droughts in many parts of the world, an “extraordinary” death of trees in our own American west.  He pointed to many recent natural disasters as evidence of manmade climate change such as the floods in Cedar Rapids and wildfires in Greece and Australia.

We've now reached a stage where continuing on our present course would threaten the entirety of human civilization
- Former Vice President Al Gore

The theme of his speech was that of the need to bring renewable energy technologies online immediately.  Painting the coal industry as the villain, he told the audience the industry had invested $500 million to mislead the public on the ability of coal to be a clean fuel and power source. 

In closing, the former vice president said:

"We have a full-blown political struggle to communicate the truth.  This is a task for all of us. And those of you who have not been engaged in trying to communicate effectively in your communities—to those who respect you and who understand that you have worked hard to obtain the knowledge and wisdom that you have—this is no time to sit back. This is an historic struggle.

"We as a species must make a decision. How absurd that sounds—it sounds absurd because we've never made a decision as a species and it seems implausible to think that we could. But we've now reached a stage where continuing on our present course would threaten the entirety of human civilization.

"Many of the most distinguished members of your professions, in scientific fields, have been saying now, for a few years, that in their estimation, we could have around a decade within which to make major changes in our direction lest we lose the opportunity to retrieve a climate balance that is favorable for human life and human civilization...

"And the only way that's going to happen is if those of you who are in a position to exercise influence and communicate your understanding of what this is all about make a decision to get involved....

"I'm asking you for help. I believe in my heart that we do have the capacity to make this generation one of those generations that changes the course of humankind. The stakes have never been higher. We have the knowledge, we have the emerging technology, we have new leadership, we have cabinet members and science advisers and NOAA heads and policymakers in all of the important positions who are of you, who are your colleagues...

"If I could I would motivate you to leave this city after this meeting and start getting involved in politics. Keep your day job, but start getting involved in this historic debate. We need you."