A national TV and Internet ad campaign launched today attacks former Vice President Al Gore on energy usage and calls the global warming agenda a threat to Americans and people in less developed nations.

"Global warming activists warn us about the alleged threats from global warming, but are usually silent about the much more immediate threats from global warming policies," Sam Kazman, general counsel for the Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI), said during a press conference about the new campaign.

Global warming policies would "spell economic disaster" in the United States and "would mean misery, starvation and death on a massive scale" for people in less developed countries, Mr. Kazman said.

Brian Hardwick, communications director for the Alliance for Climate Protection (ACP), said: "We are spending our time mobilizing people from all walks of life around the urgent need to solve the climate crisis, not arguing with a fringe ideological group that is promoting a tired and narrow agenda."

CEI's ads contrast Mr. Gore's energy-consuming lifestyle with the need for energy in developing countries. The campaign follows Mr. Gore's March 1 announcement of a new set of ads from the ACP to promote the global warming issue.

CEI's campaign includes a TV ad and online videos. The Web ad, dubbed "Hot Air," takes a direct hit on the black balloons ad produced by the ACP.

The TV ad premiered at a press conference at the National Press Club and will run in markets around the country over the next two weeks, including Boston, Phoenix, Orlando and Pittsburgh. The ad began running today in the D.C. market during news programs on CNN, CNBC and Fox News Channel.

— Harrison Keely, intern, The Washington Times