Al Gore Interview: "It Is Not Too Late to Stop This Crisis"

It's been six months since the surprise hit movie and book An Inconvenient Truth transformed Al Gore from the man who, as he puts it, "used to be the next President of the United States" to global warming's archenemy.

Now, as the DVD hits holiday shelves, the former U.S. Vice President tells National Geographic News podcast correspondent Patty Kim whether he'll run for President in 2008, how you can fight climate change, whether he practices what he preaches, and yes, whether he'll grow back the beard.

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Now, Shon says he doesn't have the political power to make much change, but you do. Mr. Gore, are you even remotely tempted to run for President in 2008?

Well, I think when enough individuals do change their minds, it will have a profound impact on the political environment, and that's the kind of campaign I'm involved in—to try to change the way people think about this so that the candidates who do run will encounter voters in both parties who demand a solution.

But have you ever—

I am not considering becoming a candidate again, but I'm going to concentrate on changing people's minds.

What if Shon and others like him say to you, But our country needs you?

Well, I'm grateful for that encouragement and for the expression of confidence. And while I haven't ruled out considering a race at some point in the future, I really don't expect to, because I've done it twice.

I've learned the importance of changing people's minds at the grassroots level so that whoever does run will have a much better chance of encountering public opinion that reaches a critical mass and brings about a change not only in White House policies but in the Congress and in the state legislatures and all around the world.