Former US Vice President Al Gore delivered a mix of urgent warnings and optimism during his passionate speech at the Cop29 summit in Baku, Azerbaijan. Speaking to delegates, Gore emphasized that “we are winning” in the push for clean energy, thanks to rapid advancements in renewable technologies.
“We Have the Tools to Act”
Gore highlighted that the world already possesses “all the technologies we need” to cut emissions by half within the next decade, provided there is enough political will. He called the rise of renewable energy a “near-miraculous success story,” noting that 87% of new electricity last year came from clean energy sources like wind and solar power. He added that wind turbines alone could meet global energy needs 40 times over.
“This isn’t some pie-in-the-sky, moonshot dream,” Gore said. “These are proven solutions that are already making a difference. Carbon-free energy is now generating more electricity than coal or methane gas.”
Call for Fair Access to Clean Energy
The former vice president also criticized the unequal distribution of clean energy resources, pointing out that Florida, a single US state, has more solar panels than the entire continent of Africa. He called for greater support to help poorer nations gain access to the clean energy market.
Tracking Emissions with AI
Gore introduced new data from Climate Trace, a platform he co-founded, which uses artificial intelligence and satellite monitoring to track greenhouse gas emissions. The latest data revealed that cities like Shanghai, Tokyo, New York, Houston, and Seoul are the top emitters globally, producing more greenhouse gases than some entire countries.
“Action Can’t Wait”
Gore urged the world to act decisively as environmental crises like hurricanes and wildfires grow more severe. Despite the grim warnings, he shared a hopeful message, celebrating the exponential growth of solar power and its potential to transform the global energy landscape.
“Solar power is now the cheapest electricity in history,” Gore said. “One hour of sunlight provides enough energy to fuel the global economy for a year. The choice is clear.”
