Former Vice President Al Gore on Monday ripped President Donald Trump for not taking climate change seriously, calling him the "face of global climate denial."
Gore made the comments during an appearance on CNN following Trump’s surprise appearance at the United Nations climate forum earlier in the day.
CNN climate correspondent Bill Weir asked Gore about the "lack of American leadership."
Gore responded:
"Well, I think, to focus on the good news side of it, that Donald Trump being the face of global climate denial actually is motivating the kind of uprising and enthusiasm we saw last Friday with these millions of young people marching."
Gore was referring to the protests that took place last week to bring awareness to climate change.
"I'm optimistic," the former 2000 presidential candidate continued. "We're behind at the beginning of the second half, but we've got the tools we need to address this crisis."
Trump dropped by the U.N. summit, listened to German German Chancellor Angela Merkel make detailed pledges — including going coal-free — and left without saying anything.