Yeah, between producing virtually all globally influential pop culture on the planet, rock and roll, rap, R&B, pop, jazz, Hollywood films, video games, the personal computer, the internet, food, soft drinks, clothing, language, numerous other things... we've really been slacking off lately.
Seriously though, you can't go anywhere in the world anymore without seeing the mark of American cultural hegemony. and... Al Gore would have to be near the bottom of the list of anything we've contributed in terms of salient influence. Outside of the United States there really isn't that much "debate" about whether or not global warming exists or should be cause for concern. I think Gore has actually had a much bigger impact on the world for the role he played in legislation that helped bring about the internet. Seriously.