The climate crisis is actually changing our maps. On Tuesday, the UN released a new atlas, composed of over 300 satellite images of every African country. While the continent produces only 4% of the planet’s green house gasses, their effects are clear.

In addition to ecological damage I mentioned in my slide show, for example the receding of Mount Kilimanjaro glaciers, the pictures also show previously unknown consequences of the climate crisis.

According to theAssociated Press, “These include the disappearance of glaciers in Uganda's Rwenzori Mountains and forests in Madagascar, and the loss of Cape Town's unique 'fynbos' shrub land vegetation.”

We already knew the climate crisis was increasing poverty, disease and starvation in Africa, now we see it actually shifting the landscape. These unfortunate events demonstrate the global impact of our addition to fossil fuels, and the need for a global solution now.

I want to commend Senator Boxer for her leadership of the Environment and Public Works Committee. Thanks to her vision and dedication, we have the first global warming bill in history that is comprehensive, bipartisan and that enjoys support across the country--from labor and agriculture to the business and the environmental communities. Of course the bill needs to be stronger, but it's vital that Congress begin to act. While it's important that people change their light bulbs, it's even more important that we change the laws.

A few hours from now I will step on stage in Detroit, Michigan to announce my support for Senator Barack Obama. From now through Election Day, I intend to do whatever I can to make sure he is elected President of the United States.

Over the next four years, we are going to face many difficult challenges -- including bringing our troops home from Iraq, fixing our economy, and solving the climate crisis. Barack Obama is clearly the candidate best able to solve these problems and bring change to America.

I've never asked members of AlGore.com to contribute to a political campaign before, but this moment and this election are too important to let pass without taking action.

That's why I am asking you to join me today in showing your support for Barack Obama by making a contribution to his campaign today:

https://donate.barackobama.com/support

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