Former vice president Al Gore used the success of his documentary, “An Inconvenient Truth” to expand his efforts to educate people about global warming — and to tell a few jokes.
The film turned Gore’s road show about climate change into a film that won Academy Awards for best documentary and best song.
Gore also teased a bit Sunday night about his plans to possibly make another presidential run, although backstage, he said he was not a candidate.
The win was a triumph for Gore, who has kept a sense of humor about the 2000 election, where he won the popular vote, but lost the election to George W. Bush.
“My fellow Americans,” Gore said. “People all over the world, we need to solve the climate crisis. It’s not a political issue, it’s a moral issue. We have everything we need to get started with the possible exception of the will to act. That’s a renewable resource. Let’s renew it.”
Earlier in the evening, Gore and Leonardo DiCaprio took the stage to unveil a series of efforts the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences took to make this year’s awards more environmentally friendly.
Pressed by DiCaprio about any other major announcement he might like to make, the former vice president pulled out a statement.
“My fellow Americans, I’m going to take this opportunity right here and now, to formally announce my intentions to ...” Gore said before the orchestra broke in and he walked off, laughing arm-in-arm with DiCaprio.
Backstage, Gore put speculation to rest, saying “I do not have plans to become a candidate for office again.”
Instead, Gore said he was dedicating all his efforts to pressuring governments to act on climate-crisis issues.
“It is the overriding world challenge of our time,” Gore said.
“I really hope the decision by the academy to honor the work by director Davis Guggenheim and these producers will convince people who did not go see it before to see the movie and learn about the climate crisis and become a part of the solution.”
Guggenheim also thanked Gore for inspiring his film.
“All of us were inspired by his fight for 30 years to tell this truth to all of us,” Guggenheim said.
The win was especially pleasing to Gore because it came during a year when the academy had taken steps to save energy and preserve the environment.
Oscar ballots were made from partially recycled paper and organic produce was served at the Governor’s Ball. The academy joined with the Natural Resources Defense Council to reduce energy usage and increase recycling.
“For the first time in the history of the Oscars, this show has officially gone green,” DiCaprio said.
Other initiatives included rides for presenters and stars in hybrid vehicles. The academy said it had explored hydrogen-powered fuel cell buses to transport crew and other workers, but did not have enough time to do it this year.
Meals for the hundreds of crew and cast members were served on reusable plates and biodegradable dishware.
Food left over from the post Oscars Governor’s Ball was to be donated to a local shelter.