THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Vice President

                    STATEMENT BY VICE PRESIDENT GORE
                      ON DATA CONFIRMING THAT 1998 
                     WAS THE WARMEST YEAR ON RECORD

Today's announcement that 1998 was the warmest year on record is yet more evidence that global warming is real.

Across America -- indeed, across the globe -- the extreme weather of the past year offered vivid proof of what our leading scientists have been telling us for some time: our climate is changing. The withering drought, deadly heat waves and devastating floods were a sobering taste of what future generations will endure unless we take steps to reduce greenhouse gas pollution.

The past year offers us hope as well. President Clinton secured $1 billion to research and develop energy-efficient and clean energy technologies. Leading corporations voluntarily pledged to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. And in Buenos Aires, developing countries showed a new willingness to join us in meeting this global challenge.

Time and time again, we have proven that we can protect our environment while growing our economy. President Clinton and I are confident that by harnessing market forces, we can ease the threat of global warming while creating new opportunities for jobs and growth. We owe our children and grandchildren a healthy planet that will support strong, sustainable economic growth. Today's announcement makes the task all the more urgent.

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