Al Gore Talks Climate Solutions at Recyclebank Event

Former Vice President and Nobel Prize-winner Al Gore discussed the role of businesses and consumers in solving the climate crisis at a Recyclebank event in New York City on Wednesday. Photo: Recyclebank

Just weeks after broadcasting 24 hours of “climate reality,” former Vice President Al Gore made a presentation to Recyclebank and members of the sustainability community in New York about how citizens, consumers and corporations can play a pivotal role in addressing the climate crisis.

Held at New York City’s Urban Zen Center Wednesday evening, Gore spoke to an audience of more than 250 people, including nonprofit directors, venture capitalists, senior marketing executives and employees and board members of Recyclebank, a company that rewards people for taking everyday green actions with discounts and deals from local and national businesses.

Gore underscored the severity of climate change and said that its impacts are already being felt, with more than 200 cities in the U.S. breaking records for high temperatures in the past year.

The former Vice President and Nobel Prize-winner also discussed ways to motivate businesses and consumers to adopt sustainable habits.

“If there is a way to give people a monetary incentive to develop an ingrained habit like recycling or energy usage, make it fun and connect them to businesses that save them money, it can be enough to get them over the ‘want to’ line,” Gore said. “I’ve seen some amazing communities where that is happening.”

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Gore pointed out that solving the climate crisis may not happen overnight, but individual actions could accumulate to create a significant impact over time.

“Change can come in non-linear form: not seeming like much at first, but building until it reaches a tipping point, an escape velocity — then it can become cataclysmic,” he said.

Recyclebank’s CEO Jonathan Hsu said it was an honor and inspiration to have Gore share his perspective on finding solutions to climate change.

“Recyclebank shares Gore’s goals of motivating millions to make choices that are more sustainable,” said Hsu. “However, we acknowledge there is a lot more work to do and realize how important it is to continue to innovate, forge partnerships and enlist influencer support to truly create a global culture of sustainability.”