Today’s environmental “planetary emergency” offers what few generations ever know – a shared moral authority that also can address crises such as AIDS, civil war and genocide, former Vice President Al Gore told fans Saturday at a Denver book signing.
Gore, clad in a navy blazer and a light-blue, open-collar shirt, stayed well beyond his scheduled hour, bantering, shaking hands and signing copies of his work on global warming, “An Inconvenient Truth,” for more than 700 people who snaked up the stairs and through the shelves of the Tattered Cover’s LoDo store.
But first, he offered some brief remarks linking pressing environmental concerns with the opportunity to address other global issues.
“These are not political conundrums – they’re moral imperatives,” Gore said. “It’s time for us to get our act together. Right now we have everything but the political will.
“And in America,” he added to cheers, “political will is a renewable resource.”
Peter Dreyfuss, a U.S. Department of Energy worker who showed up 4 1/2 hours early to be first in line, agreed with Gore’s take on the environment.
“He’s on target,” said Dreyfuss, who bought five copies of the book. “He lays out why this is our time to take action and make decisions about an environmentally sound future.”
Irene Hillman, who drove from Louisville, bought several copies of Gore’s book, one for her and the rest as gifts for family and friends.
Although she terms her scientist boyfriend a “non-believer” on global warming, she’s still seeking answers.
“I’m not sure where I fall into the discussion,” Hillman said, “but things are happening in the environment and it’s not just anecdotal. I like to check the research for myself.”
Nina Meek of Boulder said her 11-year-old son, Cahill Kelleghan, wanted to write a letter to Gore after seeing the movie version of “An Inconvenient Truth.” But she told him: “Let’s do one better. Let’s go meet him.”
Outside the store, retired physician Bob McFarland of Boulder held a sign urging a Gore candidacy.
“I want him to get the message and have a few people in line to tell him the same thing,” McFarland said. “I want to stimulate that spontaneous groundswell.”
Staff writer Kevin Simpson can be reached at 303-820-1739 or ksimpson@denverpost.com.
