"We Must Act"

Yesterday in Oslo, Norway, Former VP Al Gore collected his Nobel Peace Prize, which he shared with the IPCC this year. I've put a snippet of Gore's very moving acceptance speech in our Quote of the Day sidebar, but if you have neither seen nor heard the speech, or even if you have, I recommend reading the entire transcript of it. I find it an inspiring as well as moving document, although it brings up the sorrow I felt in 2000 after the election results were declared. I take comfort in Gore's own words at the beginning of his speech, when he reflects upon that December day when the results of the 2000 election were announced:

that unwelcome verdict also brought a precious if painful gift: an opportunity to search for fresh new ways to serve my purpose.

Unexpectedly, that quest has brought me here. Even though I fear my words cannot match this moment, I pray what I am feeling in my heart will be communicated clearly enough that those who hear me will say, “We must act.”

The work ofthe IPCC has advanced the science of global climate change, and Gore's work has advanced planetary awareness of the science. Thanks to both Nobel prize winners we have reached a point where only those dedicated to misinformation, ignorance and/or total blindness can deny what is already happening, and what we must immediately begin to do about it. The entire text of Gore's speech is here: Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance Speech.

Technorati Tags: Al Gore, global climate change, Nobel acceptance speech, Nobel peace prize

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