At least, according to the Irish Times, in a report in tomorrow’s editions:

The British government has hired former U.S. Vice President Al Gore as a lobbyist to convince the American public that action must be taken urgently to combat the “disastrous” threat of global warming.

The unusual appointment was announced yesterday following the publication in London of a major review by the government’s chief economist warning of the dire consequences of failing to deal with climate change…

It is not clear exactly how Gore could work harder to promote his views on the global warming theory than he already has, although it may be that the British government wants to direct his activities with precision.Setting aside the global warming issue itself, it is a little disconcerting to think of any former president or vice president becoming a lobbyist for a foreign government.