Why Al Gore Is Shifting His Climate Activism Abroad

Al Gore Voices Concerns Over Trump’s Climate Policy and Executive Actions

Former Vice President Al Gore, now a prominent climate advocate, is closely observing President Trump’s expanding use of executive authority to dismantle federal climate policy. Gore expresses alarm over the rollback of environmental protections and the elimination of incentives for clean energy, actions that he believes impede global progress on emissions reduction. He highlights the administration’s moves as exceeding previous boundaries of presidential power.

Concerns over Executive Overreach

Gore’s primary apprehension centers on what he perceives as Trump’s attempts to circumvent Congressional authority. He points to instances where the administration has sought to freeze funds allocated for clean energy initiatives—funds already approved through legislation like the Inflation Reduction Act and intended for distribution by the EPA.

“He is asserting a right to control spending and taxation, powers explicitly granted to Congress under Article I of the Constitution,” Gore stated.

While Gore anticipates legal challenges will curb some of the administration’s more drastic measures, he acknowledges the current trajectory signals a shift in U.S. climate leadership.

Shifting Focus to Global Climate Action

With the United States seemingly stepping back from its prior climate commitments, Gore has redirected his advocacy efforts internationally.

His Climate Reality Project, a nonprofit established in 2006, recently commenced a global tour from Paris.

Climate Reality Project’s Global Initiatives

The Climate Reality Project operates on multiple fronts:

• Organizing worldwide training sessions, with upcoming events planned in Rio de Janeiro, Nairobi, and Ulaanbaatar.
• Empowering citizens to exert political influence and advocate for clean energy solutions and stronger environmental regulations.
• Implementing youth engagement programs and a grant-making program.

Gore emphasizes the importance of cultivating widespread public concern for climate issues to encourage governments and major corporations, particularly outside the U.S., to adopt urgent emissions reduction strategies.

“Grassroots pressure worldwide is crucial for generating sufficient public demand for necessary climate action,” he asserted. “Given the changed political landscape in the U.S., international cooperation will become even more vital.”

Despite recent setbacks for U.S. climate activists, including the contentious Greenpeace verdict and challenges to the Inflation Reduction Act, Gore notes heightened motivation among global counterparts driven by rising temperatures and intensifying extreme weather events.

Measured Optimism Amidst Challenges

Despite the Trump administration’s policies and continued global warming trends, Gore maintains a degree of optimism regarding the ongoing transition from fossil fuels to clean energy. This sentiment echoes the views of numerous policymakers, executives, and experts.

He highlights that during Trump’s previous term, U.S. emissions decreased, solar energy capacity more than doubled, and coal consumption declined, even amidst relaxed pollution regulations and reduced federal climate support.

The prevailing hope, according to Gore, is that similar positive trends will persist over the next four years.

“Has progress been slowed in some areas? Undoubtedly,” Gore conceded. “But will the broader trend continue? Absolutely. It’s inevitable.”

Greenpeace Defamation Case Raises Free Speech Concerns

The recent substantial verdict against Greenpeace, totaling nearly $670 million related to oil pipeline protests, included $250 million specifically for defamation against the pipeline owner.

This significant financial penalty has sparked worries among advocacy groups and First Amendment advocates, who warn that the lawsuit and resulting damages could stifle free speech across various sectors, extending beyond environmental activism.

David D. Cole, a Georgetown Law professor and former legal director of the ACLU, commented that the verdict “will deter any nonprofit engaged in political protest.” He added, “Organizations across the spectrum, from the Sierra Club to the NAACP to the NRA and anti-abortion groups, will have legitimate cause for concern.”

Researchers Allege “War on Science” by Trump Administration

Approximately 1,900 prominent researchers have signed an open letter accusing the Trump administration of a “wholesale assault on U.S. science.” The letter contends that these actions could impede scientific progress for decades and endanger public health and safety.

Signatories to the letter express concern over agency layoffs, funding reductions, and delays impacting research both within government institutions and across American universities. They argue these measures represent a significant setback for science research in the US.

The open letter was initiated by a collective of 13 scientists representing diverse fields including medicine, climate science, sociology, and economics, highlighting the widespread apprehension within the scientific community regarding the administration’s policies.