Trump playing 'destructive role' on planet, says Al Gore
The former politician turned climate activist tells TheWeek.co.uk the US President is isolating himself

Donald Trump is playing a "very destructive role" in the future of the planet, says the climate campaigner and former US vice president Al Gore.
Watch Arion McNicoll from TheWeek.co.uk's full interview with Al Gore
In an interview with TheWeek.co.uk, timed to coincide with the release of his new film An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power, Gore said he once hoped that Trump would "see sense" and keep the US in the Paris climate agreement, intended to reduce global carbon emissions.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Instead he "threw his lot in with a rogue's gallery of climate change deniers", Gore said, and is now playing a "very destructive role" in not only US environmental policy but also the future of the planet.
However, the climate campaigner said he was heartened that so many other governments, as well as state and local representatives in the US, had come out against Trump.
"I was very concerned when he made his speech withdrawing the US from the Paris agreement, Gore said, "but I was very gratified the next day when the entire rest of the world redoubled their commitments to the Paris Agreement and when in the US the governors of our largest states and hundreds of mayors of cities and business leaders stepped up to fill the gap and said 'we're going to stay in the Paris agreement'.
"It now looks as if the US will meet our commitments regardless of Donald Trump. He's kind of isolated himself."
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Gore, who lost the 2000 presidential election to George W Bush by the narrowest of margins, said he was also encouraged that Trump's policies have provoked a surge in political engagement and public protest.
"The people are reacting to him with more activism," he said. "For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. And the reaction to Trump is really encouraging to me."
An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power opens in cinemas across the UK tomorrow.
-
Groypers: the alt-right group pulled into the foreground
The Explainer The network is led by alt-right activist Nick Fuentes
-
10 concert tours to see this upcoming fall
The Week Recommends Concert tour season isn't over. Check out these headliners.
-
How to put student loan payments on pause
The Explainer If you are starting to worry about missing payments, deferment and forbearance can help
-
Russia slams Kyiv, hits government building
Speed Read This was Moscow's largest aerial assault since launching its full-scale invasion in 2022
-
China's Xi hosts Modi, Putin, Kim in challenge to US
Speed Read Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin and other Asian leaders at an SCO summit
-
What is Tony Blair's plan for Gaza?
Today's Big Question Former PM has reportedly been putting together a post-war strategy 'for the past several months'
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American cities
Under the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
-
What will security guarantees for Ukraine look like?
Today's Big Question From boots on the ground to economic sanctions, here are the measures that might stop Russia taking another bite out of Ukraine
-
Will Ukraine trade territory for peace?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION Kyiv’s defences are wearing thin but a land swap is constitutionally impossible and crosses Zelenskyy's red lines
-
Russia tries Ukraine land grab before Trump summit
Speed Read The incursion may be part of Putin's efforts to boost his bargaining position
-
Europe counters Putin ahead of Trump summit
Speed Read President Trump will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska this week for Ukraine peace talks