EW YORK - Vice President Al Gore touted the backing of a major environmental group yesterday, seeking to ''reach out to the new opportunities''' to protect air and water.
Leaders of the Sierra Club dismissed suggestions that Gore's commitment to the environment has waned since he authored ''Earth in the Balance'' and they said endorsing Gore was easy.
''We did an exhaustive survey of our chapters and our members,' said Debbie Sease, a spokeswoman for the Sierra Club. `Our members have full confidence in the vice president.''
The 600,000-member environmental group formally issues its endorsement of Gore today, when its leader, Robert Cox, campaigns with Gore in key battleground states of Michigan and Ohio, but Gore was going out of his way to underscore the issue in campaign events yesterday.
In a speech to be delivered accepting the endorsement, Gore claimed the environmental high ground.
''I've been criticized for my unyielding commitment to safeguard the environment,'' said Gore's speech, which he planned to deliver to environmental activists with Sierra Club leaders at his side. ''I've been criticized for my call to end the silent rising tide of global warming that could threaten our health, our economy, and our whole way of life.''
Leaders of the group said chapters representing two-thirds of their membership backed the endorsement.
Speaking at Democratic National Committee fund-raising events in New Jersey and New York, Gore went out of his way to underscore environmental issues.
''This is an era in which we are called upon to take more responsibility for protecting the environment of the earth in all the places we live,'' said Gore.
Gore dismissed suggestions that environmental protections must come at a cost to the economy, suggesting that the nation should take the lead in developing new technologies.
''We really have a responsibility to reach out for the new opportunities that are right there,'' Gore said, noting that the world is ''waiting for the US to take the lead to create new technologies ... that can increase standards of living and expand wealth while at the same time reducing pollution.''
The issue is important in several states, including Michigan.
Some polls have suggested that Green Party nominee Ralph Nader could drain support from Gore. And some environmentalists have said they are suspicious of Gore's commitment to the environment.
Worse, from Gore's perspective, is that drain is most significant in battleground states like Michigan and California.
Sease said the image of leaders of the environmental movement campaigning with Gore should reduce those concerns. Members of Gore's staff agreed.
''Obviously this is a very significant endorsement from one of, if not the, preeminent environmental organization in the country,'' said spokesman Chris Lehane. ''It reflects Al Gore's lifelong commitment to the environment. It's a passion.''
Gore was getting less attention than Republican George W. Bush, who set a weekend deadline for deciding on a running mate.
Gore's only public appearances yesterday were brief speeches at the fund-raising events, and he also visited his grandchild in New York before heading to Michigan.
