Former Vice President Al Gore on Wednesday expressed hopes that President-elect Donald Trump will be able to work with Americans on the issues relating to climate change.
“Today, I am as optimistic and resolved as ever that we will solve the climate crisis. Our collective efforts are dependent not on politics or ideology — or elections — but on our commitment to each other, to the health of our planet and to a sustainable future for all,” Gore wrote in a statement.
{mosads}”Last night President-elect Trump said he wanted to be a president for all Americans. In that spirit, I hope that he will work with the overwhelming majority of us who believe that the climate crisis is the greatest threat we face as a nation,” he added.
The former vice president under Bill Clinton also reiterated his call for the U.S. to lead the fight against man-made climate change in all sectors of society.
Gore said he will do “everything I can” to work with Trump to combat climate change.
“I wish [Trump] well in these efforts and intend to do everything I can to work with him and his administration to ensure that our nation remains a leader in the global effort to meet this challenge,” he said.
Gore said efforts to fight climate change will not only be beneficial to governments, but will also carry an economic benefit for the private sector.
“The work that has been done by civil society, businesses, investors, and governments at all levels will continue to be driven by the fact that solutions to the climate crisis are not just vital to our planet, but are vital to our economy. The market forces driving the transition to a sustainable economy simply will not be slowed,” he wrote.
Trump has been skeptical about climate change, often criticizing environmental protection policies as unnecessary barriers that hinder business growth and economic development.