Gore gathers religious leaders for aid

NASHVILLE, Oct. 12 (UPI) -- Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore says he gathered more than 130 pastors and other religious figures in Nashville to enlist them in his global warming fight.

The outspoken environmentalist said in a statement that the faith-based volunteers who traveled to Nashville to hear him speak will be invaluable additions to his ongoing efforts to combat global warming and its impact on the planet, The (Nashville) Tennessean reported Sunday.

"People of faith are vital to the effort to combat the climate crisis and represent all walks of life," Gore said regarding Thursday's gathering at the Loews Vanderbilt Hotel in Nashville.

Gore spoke to members of 18 religious denominations at the gathering, ranging from Presbyterian leaders to Roman Catholic officials.

The Nobel laureate said in his statement that the religious volunteers would help spread information regarding his Climate Project to their congregations in 37 U.S. states, The Tennessean reported.

"This new group of trainees is absolutely amazing. I am certain that they will have a tremendous impact as they return home to their congregations and communities all across the United States," the "An Inconvenient Truth" creator said.