He is definitely not the most deft politician, with his verbal gaffes and lack of Bush/Clinton "homey personality/ aw shucks appeal", but he's a very smart man who truly understands the world and the real importance of environmental issues.
By the time Republicans acknowledge man-made climate changes and the consequences of same, people will be getting sun burnt in Maine walking their dogs around the block.
It will be a little too late by then, kind of like trying to recover the $$ from Enron, to put it in some perspective.