Al Gore has criticized Bill Gates for backing down on climate change, calling it “silly” and saying Trump’s anti-climate stance is damaging the US economy. The former US vice-president believes China’s green technology exports far outweigh US fossil fuel exports, and that many businesses fear reprisals from Trump if they disagree with him.
Gore argues that Gates should have advocated for re-purposing subsidies given to fossil fuels for health initiatives instead of pushing climate action down the agenda. He also defends the UN climate summit process, saying it has achieved significant progress and is a key driver of the sustainability revolution.
Gore believes there’s a “generational change” in the US, with many people turning towards climate action despite Trump’s dismantling efforts. He warned that Trump might face a more “less obsequious” Congress following election defeats for Republican candidates. The former US vice-president has also praised progressive politicians like Zohran Mamdani, who won the mayor of New York in a landslide victory.
Gore used a slide show to highlight the horrors caused by climate change, showing images of recent disasters around the world exacerbated by global heating. He urged delegates to take action and adapt to mitigate and prepare for the consequences of inaction.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/nov/12/al-gore-cop30-climate