Statement by Former Vice President Al Gore on meeting with MP Clive Palmer

I appreciated the opportunity to meet with Mr. Palmer today to discuss solutions to the climate crisis. As a national leader, he clearly understands the critical importance of ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come. Mr. Palmer and I don't agree on everything, but I'm very encouraged by his willingness, and that of his party, to preserve many of the climate policies in Australia.

While I will be disappointed if the immediate price on carbon is removed because it is a policy which is ultimately critical to solving the climate crisis - I am hopeful that Australia will continue to play a global leadership role on this most pressing issue. An Emissions Trading Scheme, a strong Renewable Energy Target, and sound guidance from the Climate Change Authority, the Clean Energy Finance Corporation and the Australian Renewable Energy Agency are all highly effective tools in reducing carbon emissions.

I have enjoyed many visits to Australia, and this visit marks the fourth training program here with the Climate Reality Project to train Australians and visitors from Asia/Pacific region to discuss the realities of the climate crisis and the solutions we have at hand. More than 500 people will join this week's training in Melbourne at an important moment for this issue and for the future of our planet.

We have more reasons than ever to believe we're putting ourselves on a path to solve the climate crisis. In my country, President Obama has committed to cutting carbon emissions and encouraging global action to tackle global warming. China has established emissions trading schemes, along with the European Union and parts of the United States like California. 

In Australia, people are taking action as well. Two million Australian households now have rooftop solar PV systems, just one example of the rapid growth of clean renewable energy worldwide. Australia and its citizens have long been leaders on this issue. It is my hope that its climate policies will continue to reflect that and serve as an example to the rest of the world.