Political Cortex: Brain Food for the Body Politic

Gore Presents Global-Warming Message at UN Headquarters

September 29, 2006 -- By Anna Dolgov, Associated Press

UNITED NATIONS -- Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore warned hundreds of U.N. diplomats and staff about the perils of global warming, presenting dramatic images of melting glaciers, rising oceans and parched earth to help spread his environmental message.

Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who steps down on Dec. 31 after 10 years at the helm of the United Nations, said in his introductory remarks Thursday that Gore's new role helps the planet -- and retiring officials.

"What he has done recently has also shown that there is a life after public office," Annan joked.

Gore's film, derived from his slide-show presentation, has become one of the highest-grossing documentaries and made the former vice president an unexpected film star, while its companion book, "An Inconvenient Truth," has become a national best-seller.

Gore warned in the lecture -- part of a series instituted by Annan -- that the world faces a "full-scale climate emergency that threatens the future of civilization on earth."

He showed slides of devastation brought by recent hurricanes, which scientists link to global warming, of the snows of Kilimanjaro of a few decades ago now receding to reveal bare mountain slopes, and footage of the Columbia Glacier in Alaska crumbling with a powerful whoosh.

Gore followed with computer-generated projections of ocean water rushing in to submerge the San Francisco Bay Area, New York City, parts of China, India and other nations, should ice shelves in Antarctica or Greenland melt and slip into the sea, raising water levels by 6-7 meters.

"The planet itself will do nicely, thank you very much -- what is at risk is human civilization," Gore said.

I also have to admit that I was gratified to know he did this because it only proved to me how well he would fit in as UN Global Environmental Ambassador because of his passion and conviction for solving this crisis globally, and his ability to bring this information to others in a way that all people no matter what part of the world they live in can understand.

To also have the political cooperation he would need on a global scale on this issue to seek change without the stonewalling of the U.S. Congress and the oil industry lobbyists here who buy energy policy would in my opinion go a long way in bringing about the visionary changes we will need to make in the moral, spiritual, scientific, technological, political, and economic spheres, especially in poor nations that will be most affected by climate change as we are currently seeing most predominantly in Africa and Asia.

Not too long ago I also posted an entry here regarding my attempts to have a UN Global Environmental Ambassador established by the Secretary General, and while considering other names for this post, primarily Wangari Mathaai who I consider a true environmental heroine, my main choice for this post as the first Ambassador is Mr. Gore.

Again, I don't know all of the channels something like this would have to travel through, but as a private citizen out here suggesting this because I have an earnest concern for this issue on a global scale and a deep respect for Mr. Gore and trust that he would serve this world well in such a position, I will persevere.

I then wish to post my letter to Secretary General Annan once again for anyone who did not see it the first time:

To: Mr. Kofi Annan
Secretary General of the United Nations
United Nations Building
1st Avenue@ 46th Street
New York, NY. 10017

Dear Secretary-General Annan,

Climate Change is an ever present specter threatening many areas of our world and its effects are now beginning to be seen clearly. Mr. Annan, as a Secretary-General who has advocated for sound solutions to this problem, you have also seen the damage it has done and is doing on every continent including the Arctic. This is not a crisis that will be solved even within the next few years, and it will then require a joint effort of all world leaders coming together, including those countries that cannot efficiently and effectively meet this challenge due to poverty, disease, and political turmoil to seriously enact a global strategy for sustainability.

Climate change is also more than just a phenomenon that will affect temperature, as you well know. This is the most important issue we as a species will face in the 21st century, and the peoples of the world need a leader on this issue to coordinate efforts on a global scale of equality that benefits all. We also need a global leader that will educate, inform, and inspire people for this common cause.

Therefore, we hereby petition again as we did this past November, to consider establishing a new UN post for the 21st century: that of Global Environmental Ambassador. We also then petition you to consider the Honorable Al Gore Jr., former Vice President of the United States, statesman, environmental advocate, and author as our first UN Global Environmental Ambassador.

Vice President Gore has traveled extensively throughout the world in the cause of the environment and to speak truth about the climate crisis and its effects. His movie and book entitled," An Inconvenient Truth" sounds a clarion call to the world about the future we face in the wake of our own actions and the hope and will we need to face this crisis head on together. He is well respected throughout the world and because of his stature and vast knowledge of this crucial subject he can relay important information regarding it to people in terms they also can understand, which is very important considering so many are still unaware of how it truly effects their lives and futures.

His background in foreign relations, the economy, the environment, and in governing makes him more than qualified to lead our world as a Global Environmental Ambassador. He has also been a leader on this issue since his days in the United States Senate over twenty five years ago. He has devoted his life to this cause, and fully understands and realizes that all other issues are affected by the environment.

Stronger storms caused by climate change warming ruin crops, erode land, and cause damage that can severely stifle an economy, which Hurricane Katrina already proved right here in America, and which has been predicted by climate scientists. Diseases caused by changing weather patterns that bring unknown diseases to areas which have not experienced them before also cause health crises which also effect economies and take lives. Severe droughts as what are now being felt in China, South America, Africa, and also in the U.S. Plains are a direct result of anthropogenic climate change, and have displaced and or put millions of lives at risk. The depletion of natural resources (specifically water) due to weather conditions which cause famine (as we are seeing in Niger and many African countries right now,) drought, floods, mudslides, etc. can also lead to corporate privatization of those resources (as we are seeing in India,) which then effects the very livelihoods and lives of those under the control of corporations and governments that would seek to use such conditions to their political advantage, which then has the potential of leading of war.

Mitigation of these factors by way of sound management, education, global cooperation, and sustainability principles is key to addressing the two most crucial issues we face in this century: the climate crisis and the water scarcity crisis due to population increase, depletion of resources due to waste, terrorism, and political and corporate exploitation at the expense of the poorest in our world. Vice President Gore has the expertise and dedication to lead on this issue, and also sees the spiritual side to this issue which is the essence of it which is also very important to many cultures around the world.

The position of Global Environmental Ambassador would then be no small post. This post would be a huge responsibility combining knowledge, experience, and commitment to all areas of our world and the impact of the climate crisis on it as a whole. Having a unique understanding of government, foreign relations, the environment, and especially technological advances, is in my view the perfect combination for such an esteemed position.

We would then be most grateful if you would respond to this most serious and sincere request. Our Earth is now in critical need of all of us coming together to face this threat to our very existence. It will take a coordinated effort of all led by one with exemplary economic, technical, scientific, and governmental skills, and someone who also understands the spiritual symbiosis we share with this planet, our only home to effectively take on this challenge and work with others.

That person is the Honorable Al Gore Jr., and we have every confidence that should this position be created and he appointed as our first Global Environmental Ambassador of the 21st Century, that he would serve the world and its peoples honorably, sensibly, and passionately regarding this issue.

I am going to keep up with this and will even be sending correspondence on it to the new Secretary General once Mr. Annan leaves the post this December. I would even go to the UN to beseech them on this as I believe this post is now a moral imperative.

I am therefore writing this entry to once again  entreat Mr. Gore to think about this, and for the Secretary General to consider establishing this post to give the global community a leader whoever it might ultimately be who inspires and who can bring all of the world together to solve this crisis, which I know we can do if we have global cooperation and a way for truthful information to be disseminated about this most crucial issue of the 21st Century.

And to say that this issue transcends the Presidency of the United States especially as that office stands now is an understatement. This would in no way be a step backwards for Mr. Gore should it ever come to be, it would be a step forward to a position of respect in the global environmental community that would have the necessary teeth to it to bring about change and to truly help those peoples around the world suffering the most from the repercussions of our actions.

And as I stated in my last entry regarding this, in many ways he already is a global environmental ambassador considering he has travelled the world so why not make it official? And yes, again, if he refused such a position it is still important that the UN take the lead on this issue and that there be a person of stature in this area of expertise to join the global community together.

Therefore, if you feel on this issue as I do, you can send a letter to the Secretary General at the address noted in the letter, or if you wish, fax the office of Public Inquiry at the UN @ (212) 963-4475.

Or you can write to:
Public Inquiries
United Nations
GA-57
New York, N.Y. 10017

Let us truly come together to give this planet the leadership it needs and also join in this fight for our survival as a civilization.

And Mr. Gore, if by some chance you should see this, please consider it, for I believe you are the visionary environmental leader this planet needs to bring the truth and inspire a new generation on a global scale.

Tremendous caricature of Mr.Gore holding the Earth is used with permission of Fred Harper.

Also, anyone wishing to keep up with any progress regarding this effort may refer to this site:
Patriots for Al Gore

Thank you.