Barack Obama has told a town hall meeting in Pennsylvania he would select Al Gore to play a major role in an Obama administration.

Using his strongest language yet about his intention to arrest climate change, the Illinois senator told a woman he would tap Gore for cabinet – or even higher office.

“I would,” he said. “Not only will I, but I will make a commitment that Al Gore will be at the table and play a central part in us figuring out how we can solve this problem. He’s somebody I talk to on a regular basis. I’m already consulting with him in terms of these issues, but climate change is real. It is something we have to deal with now, not 10 years from now, not 20 years from now.”

The only position higher than cabinet is vice president, a post Gore held for eight years in the Clinton Administration, and there’s no indication he would want it again.

And although Obama hinted at the possibility, he is in no firm position to discuss potential cabinet or vice presidents as he still has to win the nomination.

But both Obama and Clinton covet the support of Gore, who since leaving the White House in 2000 has gone on to become one of the world’s leading voices for climate-change action.