The title of his topic was “Sustainable Capitalism when a Bailout
Won’t Suffice.”

“I personally believe that solving the climate crisis is the biggest single business opportunity in the history of the world,” Al Gore said.

His main emphasis was on climate change. He said that natural resources are fast running out, and businesses need to create alternative options to lessen dependence on them, not only for personal benefit but also for the good of the world.

Al Gore was the forty-fifth vice president of the US for eight years between 1993 and 2001. He is now an environmental activist presenting to thousands of people annually on the importance of reducing carbon emissions to slow climate change around the world.

By giving different examples, he emphasised how the current economic crisis can provide a genuine opportunity to make the right kinds of changes in businesses for the good of the planet?

Al Gore appreciated Abu Dhabi’s efforts towards reducing carbon emission and creating the world’s first zero carbon city. “Awareness in the region is much higher than rest of the world,” he said, adding, “The region is also rich in solar energy.”

World leaders will meet in Copenhagen in December to discuss ways to reduce carbon emission.

He said, “I believe this issue is going to dominate in the 21^st century.”

He said, “Our economic strategies usually consider growth, financial planning, sales, marketing, competitive analysis and the like. Should we be considering broader areas such as the social, political and environmental issues to give us a less insular and more worldly approach to our businesses?”

Al Gore said that it would be too early for the US and other leading economies to shift their focus away from stimulus efforts because the economy remains fragile.

He said the world is recovering from the global economic downturn,
but progress remains slow.

abdulbasit@khaleejtimes.com