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SALT LAKE CITY -
The world's most famous activist on the issue of global climate change met with the worldwide leader of the LDS church Wednesday. Former U.S. vice president and Nobel Laureate Al Gore shook hands with President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Thomas S. Monson. The LDS Church released a statement saying that Gore met with members of the LDS Church Public Affairs Committee. At that time Gore gave a 30 minute presentation on his concerns about CO2 emissions. Afterward he had a session of questions and answers.
"I think it's a real validation for the LDS church," said Kirk Jowers, director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics at the University of Utah, "They've made real efforts to be progressive on the environment."
The LDS church is widely considered to be a conservative organization politically, taking strong stands on issues of abortion and gay marriage, but the church has also been careful not to endorse one political party.
"I think democrats will be excited to see that he's in here meeting with church leaders," Jowers said.
Some Utah environmentalists see the LDS Church as a strong potential ally, "I think it's a great sign that Al Gore is at least having a conversation and starting a dialogue with the church here," said Vanessa Pierce, Executive Director of HEAL Utah.
Pierce raised another point that may make the LDS church particularly sensitive to the issue of global climate change. "In the South Pacific the Church has a tremendous influence and those were some of the people who are going to be most directly impacted by global warming," she said.
Some island nations in the South Pacific have made agreements with Australia to flee there as climate refugees if their homelands are submerged by rising oceans. The LDS church has a large presence in the South Pacific.
"I think it's a real validation for the LDS church," said Kirk Jowers, director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics at the University of Utah, "They've made real efforts to be progressive on the environment."
The LDS church is widely considered to be a conservative organization politically, taking strong stands on issues of abortion and gay marriage, but the church has also been careful not to endorse one political party.
"I think democrats will be excited to see that he's in here meeting with church leaders," Jowers said.
Some Utah environmentalists see the LDS Church as a strong potential ally, "I think it's a great sign that Al Gore is at least having a conversation and starting a dialogue with the church here," said Vanessa Pierce, Executive Director of HEAL Utah.
Pierce raised another point that may make the LDS church particularly sensitive to the issue of global climate change. "In the South Pacific the Church has a tremendous influence and those were some of the people who are going to be most directly impacted by global warming," she said.
Some island nations in the South Pacific have made agreements with Australia to flee there as climate refugees if their homelands are submerged by rising oceans. The LDS church has a large presence in the South Pacific.
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