Al Gore accepted the Nobel Peace Prize yesterday, standing on a world stage as he described in apocalyptic terms the consequences of a warming world.

In accepting the 2007 award with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Gore used the opportunity to deliver yet again a powerful clarion call on a subject he has made his life's focus.

In doing so, the former vice president and presidential candidate reminded us the issue of climate change extends beyond political boundaries.

"We, the human species, are confronting a planetary emergency — a threat to the survival of our civilization that is gathering ominous and destructive potential even as we gather here," he said.

Gore called for the ratification, by 2010, of a new international treaty to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Some of his speech included praise for governments who have stepped up in Europe, Japan and Australia and criticism for those he says should do more — the United States and China.

But for most of his speech, he used the Nobel's international pulpit to describe the dangers of climate change in the broad, inclusive voice of a citizen of the world.

"Now comes the threat of climate crisis — a threat that is real, rising, imminent, and universal," he warned.

But he also appealed to our common humanity, saying that quick, decisive action can ease the worst of the crisis: "When we unite for a moral purpose that is manifestly good and true, the spiritual energy unleashed can transform us."

It's a message directed at all of us — Americans, Chinese, everyone — and we need to pay it heed. Because, like it or not, we're all in this together.