Al Gore

Gore's life as student, soldier, VP, and environmentalist

            While he may be most famous as the vice-president of the United States during the Clinton administration, Al Gore is far more than a simple politician. With his passion for the environment he has lead the way addressing issues like global warming and sustainable living. Born in March of 1948 Gore was raised in Carthage, Tennessee as the son of former US senator Albert Gore Sr. Gore attended Harvard and received a degree in government. After this achievement he volunteered for the US Army and served in the Vietnam War. After his return he worked as an investigative reporter in Tennessee before launching his political career.

Most Passionate About...

The fight against global warming

            Gore's ultimate environmental passion revolves around the global warming crisis, which most of his recent work deals with. In the critically acclaimed documentary An Inconvenient Truth, Gore worked with scientists to lay down some hard facts about the possibility of major global disaster if the global warming crisis is not stopped within the next ten years. Gore is also passionate about protecting the environment while working to strengthen the economy.

How Has Gore Helped the Earth?

Activist and Author

            Al Gore has been the author of several books which shed light on our current environmental crisis as well as spearheading a number of projects and charities which promote environmental causes. Perhaps his most famous project is An Inconvenient Truth which was produced both in film and in book format. In this project Gore consulted with top scientists to determine how global warming has already, and will continue to affect us. The results were startling. Category 4 and 5 hurricanes have almost doubled in the last thirty years, and the Arctic Ocean could be ice free by 2050. With this film Gore brought the global warming crisis to the public conscious, making it a problem of the people and not just politicians.

            Recently Gore has championed the cause of reducing US dependence on fossil fuels in favor of green energy. In a speech given in 2008 at the DAR Constitution Hall in Washington DC he called for replacing fossil fuels in the US within ten years. Though some call his plan flawed, it truly is in line with his belief that global warming could be the downfall of mankind.

Gore's Charities and Organizations

Focusing on climate improvement and education of the people

            After losing the 2000 presidential election Gore didn't just sit around and mope, instead he immediately began using his time to spearhead multiple environmental projects. These include: The Alliance for Climate Protection, The Climate Project, Live Earth, and Generation Investment Management.

            The Alliance for Climate protection mainly focuses on ending America's dependence on fossil fuels and switching over to clean energy like wind and solar power instead. Currently the Alliance is hosting the "WE" Campaign promoting the involvement of everyday Americans in the fight to gain better access to clean energy.

            The Climate Project is Gore's campaign to spread the word about environmentalism. Gore personally instructs the leaders of the Climate Project, who then go out into their communities and educate people about global warming and other crisis issues. As you can see, Gore is devoted to bringing knowledge to the people and spreading the word through grassroots movements.

            Gore also has two for-profit businesses that revolve around green practices. Live Earth is media company which uses print and television and live events to promote environmental causes. Gore is the chairman of Current TV, a part of Live Earth, which relies on current news and user generated content. Gore's investment firm, Generation Investment Management, builds portfolios based on companies that employ sustainable business practices. Even in business Gore strives to live by his values.

How does Al Gore Practice What he Preaches?

Living the green dream in Tennessee

            Recently Gore has been criticized for using massive amounts of electricity in his Tennessee home. What detractors failed to mention however was that all of Gore's electricity comes from clean energy sources, such as wind and power, at Gore's expense. In fact, Gore chose to pay fifty percent more for electricity from clean sources. In addition, he has also renovated his home using green practices, and the US Green Building Council has given the Gore home its second highest rating for sustainable design. When it comes to living green it seems like Al Gore is doing everything in his power to walk the talk.

           Oftentimes politicians say one thing and do another, but in Al Gore it seems we have a truly passionate environmentalist. Hopefully in the future we will have similar leaders, who will bring us into a brighter, cleaner, and more sustainable future.

Further Reading

• "An Inconvenient Truth", Al Gore
• "The Assault on Reason", Al Gore
• "Earth in the Balance", Al Gore