That’s not exactly what he’s saying. Literally, what he’s saying is

As we move towards solving the climate crisis, we need to remember the consequences to civilizations that refused to take environmental concerns seriously.

BUT, there is a trick, you see … this is Al Gore, and the first rule of translating Al Gore is: Al Gore is wrong about everything. I believe he is, for example, incapable of accurately stating the names of his children, because his mind just does not operate that way. So when Al Gore suggests the “climate crisis” threatens civilization, bet on civilization.

UPDATE: “a new standard for hubris, arrogance and haughty self-importance.”