An Inconvenient Truth( 2006): Global Warming ( Chung's Post)

 

 As the final examination is coming shortly and I am trying to review the lectures and tutorials for six modules that I am taking this semester, I had a chance to watch again the documentary film “An Inconvenient Truth" directed by Davis Guggenheim. It is about the campaign of "the former next President of the United States”- as Al Gore jokingly introduces himself- to make the issue of global warming a recognized problem worldwide. Although Al Gores might make a joke about his former status at the beginning of this documentary film, what he was about to present to the world afterwards was definitely not a joke, but it was a truth- an inconvenient truth about the Earth’s climate crisis.

 

Firstly, Al Gore, who estimates that he has given his global warming presentation about a thousand times all over the world and he builds his argument with measured and real figures. He then reminisces about the 2000 election and his sister's death from lung cancer as reasons that have inspired him to the issue. He is no scientist, but he manages to convincingly portray himself as an expert on the topic. Al Gore claims that though he did make great efforts to encourage the world’s countries to combat climate change, however; on the contrary, Former US President George W. Bush has tried to make the United States unaffected by the Kyoto Protocol.

 

In addition, Al Gore asserts that global warming is an incontrovertible issue that is really happening and among scientists, there is one hundred percent of agreement on the threat. His presentation also includes evidence that counters views of many critics who claim that global warming is an insignificant problem and has yet to be proven. Throughout his address, Al Gore has shown several striking images of current consequences because of climate change and his country is a vivid example. The presentation has revealed the severity of sea invasion in Florida as well as the destructive power of Katrina and Rita hurricanes in New Orleans.

 

Subsequently, Al Gore argues that “global warming is really not a political issue, so much as a moral one". With many well-selected figures and graphs, he shows that how to maintain the harmony between economical properties of products and moral issues is also a dilemma for many countries. American car makers, for instance, are currently losing their profits because US standards are so high that their products cannot be exported to Europe and Asia. 

 

To sum up his presentation, Al Gore argues that if appropriate actions are taken soon, the effects of global warming can be successfully reversed by releasing less CO2 and planting more vegetation to consume existing CO2. He also invites people to "change the things that we buy, the electricity we use, the cars we drive".  Moreover, Al Gore calls upon his supporters to learn how they can help him in these efforts as he believes that the will to act is also a renewable resource. 

 

In conclusion, “An Inconvenient Truth” is a well-argued and remarkable film about global warming. It is better to be aware of the issue and take several precautions beforehand rather than unconsciously letting global warming happen and then making the world feel regretful. Knowledge is empowering and “An Inconvenient Truth” is not a depressing film. Al Gore's forecast is serious, but he knows better than to leave us in despair. Currently, we are only lacking the political will to do anything about what Al Gore calls a "moral imperative" and he insists that the solutions to the problem are within our reach if we starts actions now because there is always room for hope.