WASHINGTON (AP) -- Former Vice President Al Gore is urging lawmakers not to let the economic crisis get in the way of addressing global warming.
Testifying Wednesday before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the Nobel Peace Prize winner said lawmakers should pass the economic stimulus as a first step to bringing greenhouse gases under control.
Gore said "decisive action" also is needed on a bill to cap heat-trapping gases if the U.S. is to take a leading role in negotiations on a new international climate treaty later this year.
It was the first time Gore appeared before Congress since March 2007.
Since then, the recession has deepened.
A Democratic-controlled Congress and Democratic President have raised hopes for passage of a climate change bill.
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