Al Gore: Trump Would Create a 'Climate Catastrophe' in US

MIAMI -- Campaigning with Hillary Clinton for the first time this election season, former Vice President Al Gore warned that Donald Trump would create a "climate catastrophe" if elected president.

"When it comes to the most urgent issue facing our country and the world, the choice in this election is extremely clear," Gore told the crowd at Miami Dade University. "Hillary Clinton will make solving the climate crisis a top national priority. Her opponent based on the ideas that he has presented would take us towards a climate catastrophe."

Gore, who Clinton is hoping will help her woo more progressive voters, warned Americans to reconsider throwing their support behind third-party candidates.

"Your vote really, really, really counts. A lot," he told the crowd. "You can consider me as an exhibit A of that truth."

Gore was referring to how third-party candidate Ralph Nader may have cost him the 2000 presidential election.

When Gore mentioned that "very close" race, the crowd began to chant, "You won! You won!"

Clinton nodded her head in agreement, and Gore continued: "Here's my point. I don't want you to be in a position years from now where you welcome Hillary Clinton and say actually you did win, it just wasn't close enough to make sure that all the votes were counted or whatever."

"Elections have consequences. Your vote counts. Your vote has consequences," he added.

Clinton -- who introduced Gore as a "climate change leader and an all-around great guy" -- also criticized Trump for his position on climate change.

"I'm running against a guy who denies science, denies climate change, says it's a hoax created by the Chinese," she said. "We cannot risk putting a climate denier in the White House...that is absolutely unacceptable."

During the first presidential debate last month, Trump denied that claim; however, in 2012, Trump did tweet: "The concept of global warming was created by and for the Chinese in order to make U.S. manufacturing non-competitive."

Bernie Sanders first pointed to Trump's tweet in January. Trump addressed the issue on "Fox & Friends" the following day.

"I often joke that this is done for the benefit of the Chinese. Obviously, I joke. But this is done for the benefit of China, because China does not do anything to help climate change," he said.

Trump has, on other occasions between 2012-2015, called global warming a hoax, though he has not attributed it to the Chinese.

"In our first debate two weeks ago he tried to deny saying that," Clinton said today. "But, you know, that tweet is still there for everyone to see."

This was the first time Gore has campaigned for Clinton this year. Gore's relationship with the Clintons has been described as complicated, with some noting a rivalry between Gore and the Clintons.

Gore did not endorse Clinton during the primary. He eventually announced his support on social media in July just before the Democratic National Convention, which he did not attend.

"Give her qualifications and experience-and given the significant challenges facing our nation and the world including, especially, the global climate crisis, I encourage everyone else to do the same," he tweeted.

Throughout the event today, Clinton was interrupted at least twice by protesters who yelled out that Bill Clinton is a "rapist."

This is the second event since the second presidential debate on Sunday that Clinton has been interrupted by hecklers calling out her husband.

In both occasions, the protesters have worn shirts of Bill Clinton that say "RAPE."

In Miami, the crowd chanted "Hillary!" to drown out a protester, who was escorted out of the building.

"My friends, please," Clinton told the crowd, "let's focus on what's really important in this election and in your future and the future of our country."

Clinton ended the campaign event praising Gore.

"I can't wait to have Al Gore advising me when I am president," she said.