Category: 2009 Society of Environmental Journalists conference

Al Gore and more

Former Vice President Al Gore was cautiously optimistic in a speech Friday about the United Nations climate change summit that will be held this December in Copenhagen. He warned that our dependence on carbon-based fuels can be linked to not only climate change, but also economic turmoil and security threats worldwide. However, he pointed to promising areas of innovation that could help us wean ourselves off our dependence on carbon-based fuel, including greater efficiency, recapture of waste heat, battery advancements and solar, wind, and geothermal power. He noted that China - while often seen as a major polluter - has been making an effort to embrace these non-carbon fuel options and will be watching the U.S. closely in Copenhagen.

The ex-veep's appearance wasn't without controversy. One questioner came to the microphone to ask Gore about alleged inaccuracies in his film "An Inconvenient Truth," but was cut off after pressing his point. He cited a British court ruling and statistics that he said show polar bears, which the movie painted as threatened, are actually increasing in number. Gore denied the inaccuracies and asked, "Are you saying the polar bears are not in danger?" The questioner replied, "Are you denying the polar bear numbers are up?" "Are you saying the polar bears are not in danger?" Gore rattled back. They went on like this until the moderator broke in and moved the conversation along.

The moderator, by the way, was New York Times environment reporter Andrew Revkin, who contributes to the fabulous blog "Dot Earth."

To hear Al Gore's speech, compliments of Wispolitics.com, CLICK HERE.