Gore Slams Bush for Refusing Global Climate Report

MADISON, Wis. (Reuters) - Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore (news - web sites) on Saturday criticized President Bush (news - web sites) for refusing to accept a federal agency report that blames humans for global warming (news - web sites).


The recently released Environmental Protection Agency (news - web sites) (EPA) report appeared to back the view of many scientists who believe global warming is caused mainly by emissions from automobiles, power plants, and oil refineries.

Bush appeared to dismiss the report, calling it a product of bureaucracy, and said he would continue to press for voluntary efforts and financial incentives for U.S. companies to reduce emissions.

Gore, the 2000 Democratic presidential nominee and a champion of environmental protection as vice president, said the president had succumbed to powerful interests that run the Republican Party and rejected the report rather than accept it and do something about global warming.

"That's not a moral choice," Gore said. "I don't want to hear from this bunch: 'We didn't know'."