An Inconvenient Truth
Last night I went to see the Al Gore documentary An Inconvenient Truth. This movie will certainly make you stop and think about the problem, if only you can sleep at night.
The format of the movie is simple enough: Al Gore (and his Mac) take us on a 100-minute ride through carbon dioxide emissions, scientific predictions, and a bit of apocalyptical intimidation. I’ve heard some of the critics talk about the exaggerations included in the film. I think there may be some merit to those message (like sea levels rising 20 feet), but I’m not sure it really detracts that much from Al Gore’s message.
Certainly, there will those who continue to be skeptical of the fears of global warming. Those critics aside (I’m talking to you, Michael Crichton), the evidence seems pretty overwhelming. Less convincing is his argument about the loss of the “Snows of Kilimanjaro” as is his evidence showing the dramatic increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Many of the facts are compelling, and, compounded together, make for one scary scenario.
Al Gore also spends some time discussing his disillusionment with Washington. He talks about his failed attempts to push forward legislation, his failed bid for the presidency, and the failure of the United States to ratify the Kyoto Protocol. He talks about why he decided to go around the world and give his lecture on climate change again. This is not a political issue, states Gore, but those with the greatest interest in continuing using old, dirty technology have a very powerful weapon at their disposal: doubt.
The end of the movie is quite inspiring. This is not the wooden, mechanical Al Gore characterized by Saturday Night Live. This Al Gore is full of fire and passion, giving a call-to-arms that would have made him President of the United States, had he given when he was on the campaign trail. He outlines the three big changes that need to happen to reverse the problem. Far more useful, though, are the little tips mixed in with the credits on what you, the individual, can do. Simple things, such as walking or taking mass transit, buying a hybrid car, or investing in alternative energy programs, are among the suggestions. This is the most powerful message of the film: little changes add up quickly to make a big impact. Gore makes the argument that the individual can make a difference.
Indeed, the individual can make a difference. A number of carbon calculators exist, giving you a rough idea on how many tons of carbon you contribute to the atmosphere (for the record, I contribute about 7 tons per year). The website connected to the movie also has a number of suggestions for things to do, but the message can be summarized with a simple phrase: go neutral! The website links to some of the carbon “trading” programs (groups that calculate the cost of offsetting your personal carbon emissions with investments in green energy programs).
The problem is real; the solutions are tenable; the time to act is now. If everyone starts to make the small steps, the solution will be closer than ever. The individual cannot do it all by himself; it will also take a larger political will to affect the necessary changes to corporate culture. That being said, though, it is the individual who will need to create the political pressure to drive that political will.
