Al Gore Cancels $1,200 Per Handshake Event In Copenhagen

December 3rd, 2009 3:47 PM

Al Gore apparently has canceled a high-priced speaking engagement during the upcoming climate change conference in Copenhagen.

As NewsBusters reported Tuesday, the Nobel Laureate was slated to lecture about his new book "Our Choice" where attendees could pay over $1,200 a ticket for the right to meet the Global Warmingist-in-Chief and have their picture taken with him.

According to Danish newspaper Berlingske, this has been canceled due to "unforeseen changes" to Gore's schedule (rough translation follows, h/t Marc Morano):

Al Gore has this morning told Berlingske Media's great annoyance has canceled his planned major climate talks for Danes 16th December 1 Tap in the old Carlsberg because, under the title "Climate Conclusion".

Cancellation comes with regard to unforeseen changes in Al Gore's program for the climate summit, COP 15. [...]

Around 3000 the Danes had already secured a ticket for Berlingske Media's event, planned since August and should have taken place just two days before the climate summit, COP 15, will end. [...]

- We have had a clear-cut agreement, and it is unusual with great disappointment that we have to announce that Al Gore cancels.

From what NewsBusters can tell, this is the $1,200 per handshake lecture. Unfortunately, the link advertising this event at VisitCopenhagen.com now goes to a page claiming "This page cannot be found."

However, the cached version disclosed:

The lecture with Al Gore is on 16 December 2009 in one of the old bottling halls, Tap 1, at Carlsberg Brewery. Tap 1 is a new venue for concerts, lectures and exhibitions in Copenhagen's new developing area of Carlsberg's old brewery site.  

Obviously, this is the same event that Berlingske claims has been canceled.

Makes one wonder why VisitCopenhagen.com chose to scrub this event completely from its website rather than inform folks it's been canceled.

Exit question: Do the "unforeseen changes" to Gore's schedule have something to do with ClimateGate and/or the fee being charged for his handshake?

Stay tuned.