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Global Warming. Inequality. Covid-19. And Al Gore Is…Optimistic?
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Global Warming. Inequality. Covid-19. And Al Gore Is…Optimistic?

As vice president, he looked for big policy answers to hard global problems. Now he says all our crises are speeding us toward real solutions.

Wired, 2020

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9

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As chair of the $20 billion asset management firm Generation Investment Management and a “recovering politician,” former US Vice President Al Gore believes the private sector will positively influence governments to take environmental action. Gore highlights the firm’s fourth Sustainability Trends Report in this interview with Wired reporters Lauren Goode and Adam Rogers.

Summary

Growing awareness of the climate change emergency and social inequalities drives fundamental economic change.

Despite the social unrest, the pandemic and the continuing disruption of climate change, former US Vice President Al Gore, chair of the $20 billion asset management firm Generation Investment Management, remains optimistic about the future. The pandemic is increasing the pace of change, he believes, leading people, businesses and governments to deal with the systemic problems that have long preoccupied him.

Awareness of this drive for change creates pressure on government and business to innovate. People today are more aware of the bond between a thriving, healthy planet and thriving, healthy humans. They understand the potential impact of climate change as an existential threat and view it with new urgency.

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerates this change.

Just as no sensible person ignores epidemiologists during a pandemic, everyone should understand why you must heed climate scientists during a climate crisis.

Nations must cut greenhouse gas emissions 7.5% annually over the next 10 years to stay within ...

About the Authors

Albert Gore is a former US Vice President and chair of Generation Investment Management. He is the author of several bestsellers, including An Inconvenient TruthLauren Goode covers tech services, products and trends as a senior writer for Wired, where Adam Rogers reports on science.


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