Did Al Gore predict polar ice cap extinction by 2014? Viral post explored as environmentalist mocked online over blistering EPA tweet

Albert Gore Jr., better known as Al Gore, is being mocked online after he lambasted the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) in an X post.

Many trolled the environmentalist for his past statements about the studies estimating the impacts of climate change. Some X users also referenced the “polar ice cap extinction” prediction attributed to the Democrat, who was Bill Clinton’s vice president. For those unaware, the viral claims suggest that the climate activist predicted the disappearance of ice caps by 2014.

In contrast, Al Gore did not directly predict the polar ice cap’s extinction by 2014. The former vice president misrepresented and overstated climate projection data at the COP15 climate change conference. He attended the summit in Copenhagen in December 2009 and cited a study by climatologist Dr. Wieslav Maslowski. Gore said (via The Times):

“These figures are fresh. Some of the models suggest to Dr. [Wieslav] Maslowski that there is a 75 per cent chance that the entire north polar ice cap, during the summer months, could be completely ice-free within five to seven years.”

Based on Al Gore’s speech, the data indicated that the ice caps were likely to vanish between 2014 and 2016. However, Dr. Maslowski refuted the figure during his interview with The Times. He told the newspaper:

"It's unclear to me how this figure was arrived at. I would never try to estimate likelihood at anything as exact as this.”

During the conversation with the outlet, Maslowski also remarked:

“I was very explicit that we were talking about near-ice-free conditions and not completely ice-free conditions in the northern ocean. I would never try to estimate likelihood at anything as exact as this. It’s unclear to me how this figure was arrived at, based on the information I provided to Al Gore’s office.”

Per The Times, many within the climate science community criticized the former Veep for his error and exaggeration.

Al Gore lashes out at the EPA’s proposal to “rescind the 2009 Endangerment Finding;” and receives backlash for past statements

Today’s EPA announcement ignores the blindingly obvious reality of the climate crisis and sidelines the EPA’s own scientists and lawyers in favor of the interests and profits of the fossil fuel industry. Weakening safeguards that reduce greenhouse gas pollution will harm American…

— Al Gore (@algore) July 29, 2025

On Tuesday, July 29, U.S. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced the agency's proposal to revoke the 2009 Endangerment Finding in Indiana. Following the significant development, Al Gore was among those who criticized the EPA, claiming that it ignores the reality of the climate crisis.

He asserted in an X post that the proposal sidelined the agency's scientists and lawyers while favoring the interests and profits of the fossil fuel industry. Al Gore added:

“Weakening safeguards that reduce greenhouse gas pollution will harm American competitiveness in a global economy that is moving away from oil, gas, and coal and will increase the suffering of communities that are overburdened by the dirty co-pollutants caused by burning fossil fuels.”

However, many X users took the opportunity to criticize Al Gore for his stance on the climate change crisis.

“Whoever's reading this, please tell Mr. Gore we know he's been lying to the American people for 30 year and we are over it. We don't buy it,” a user wrote.

“Mr. Gore, you are spreading the same lies and fear mongering that you have for the last 25+ years, none of which have come true. Why don't you sit this one out,” another user said.

“Remember that time you’ve been consistently wrong about every prediction you’ve ever made in your life?,” someone added.

“Haven’t pretty much all of your predictions turned out not to come true?,” another one commented.

Today in Indiana, @epaleezeldin announced the agency’s proposal to rescind the 2009 Endangerment Finding, which has been used to justify over $1 trillion in regulations, including the Biden-Harris Administration’s electric vehicle (EV) mandate. Learn more: https://t.co/XkSYo5kzWI pic.twitter.com/n6LQPl9miw

— U.S. EPA (@EPA) July 29, 2025

For those unaware, the original X post from Al Gore targeted the U.S. EPA’s proposal, which has yet to be approved. In its press release, the agency claims that the past administrations have used the 2009 Endangerment Finding to justify monetary regulations, including the Biden-Harris electric vehicle (EV) mandate, which amounts to $1 billion.

The EPA’s announcement suggests that, upon approval, the proposal would revoke the resulting regulations concerning greenhouse gas emissions for motor vehicles and engines.