An Inconvenient Truth Summary & Response

The Inconvenient Truth is a moving and compelling insight into the serious problem we face with global warming. This documentary is meant for the entire world to see, absorb and react to. Al Gore’s dedication and in-depth breakdown of the issue is remarkable. Global warming is a sure thing and we all have a responsibility to repair planet earth for the future of our children, for the future of humankind. For most people global warming is a back of the mind, think about every once in a while topic. The average person turns to the news as their main source for information, if global warming in constantly being discredited why would we think any different. This documentary challenges each and every human being on earth from children to the elderly to make changes, speak out and know exactly what is happening to our home. With simple clarity Al Gore walks us through the harsh reality of global warming. Telling us the story of his life gives this documentary a more personal feel, allowing us to develop a connection. He uses no big effects, just the truth, his voice and a clear passion. Gore takes us through an educational and inspiring journey around the world as he delivers his slideshow to thousands of people.

Al Gore starts of with a basic description of global warming and why the carbon dioxide increase is so harmful to our planet. Rodger Pevelle was the first person to propose measuring the carbon dioxide in earth’s atmosphere, in 1958. Since then scientist have been measuring the amount of carbon dioxide and recording the startling increases shown year after year. Scientists have developed a way to measure the amount of carbon dioxide in the ice with core drills allowing them to have accurate measurements from 650,000 years ago. Most of this documentary focuses on the affects global warming is having on Antarctica, Greenland, and natural disasters. He emphasizes over and over again the direct link between hotter temperatures and the increase in stronger storms. The ten hottest years recorded in our history have all occurred in the last fourteen years. Two hundred cities set all time records in 2005. Ocean temperatures are warmer causing the wind velocity and moisture to increase, causing stronger storms. Gore uses Hurricane Katrina as a prime example, it was a Category 1 hurricane as it crossed over Florida, once it hit the warm waters in the gulf it had increased to a category 5 hurricane by the time it reached New Orleans. Last year South America experienced its first hurricane against all beliefs. In 2004, Japan had an all time record with 10 typhoons. In 2006 Typhoon Saomai hit China as a category 5, the strongest in 50 years. All over the world thousands of people are dieing from the extreme temperatures we are experiencing. The 12 months between July 2005 and June 2006 were the hottest on record in the U.S. In 2003, Europe had a heat wave that killed 35,000 people. Not only does global warming cause temperatures to rise, it increases precipitation as well, resulting in flooding. We are also seeing extreme drought, in areas right next to the very places flooding. Lake Chad one of the largest lakes in the world is now completely dried up. “The era of procrastination, of half-measures, of soothing and baffling expedients, of delays, is coming to its close. In its place we are entering a period of consequences.” Sir Winston Churchill, 1936. We are seeing the consequences every single day and it is only getting worse. All off the majestic glaciers and snow capped mountains are diminishing rapidly, some non-existent. The Arctic Ice Cap has diminished by 40% in the last 40 years; within the next 50 to 70 years it will be completely gone. One of Al Gore’s main concerns is the melting glaciers of Greenland and the Antarctic. 50 cubic miles of ice has melted off of Greenland in the last year. The Larsen Ice Shelf in Antarctica melted within 35 days. Once the West Arctic Ice Sheet melts it will raise the sea level by 20 feet causing billions of people to be relocated. Tony Blair states “Because of what’s happened with Greenland right now, the maps of the world will have to be redrawn.” Not only has the weather changed, but also diseases such as avian flu and west Nile virus are coming back and spreading. We are seeing more rodents, insects and pine beetles. Global warming is affecting our seasons as well. With the increase in ocean temperatures and 25 million tons of carbon dioxide put into the ocean every day, the coral reefs are being bleached, putting the fish in jeopardy. Ocean species lose is now 1000 times greater than natural background rate. We are witnessing affects from permafrost, most dramatically in Alaska and Siberia. Al Gore says, “We are witnessing a collision between civilization and the earth. “All of this data should speak volumes, the Earth is being loud and clear, it is time to take action before it’s too late.

There is 730 trillion tons of carbon dioxide in the Earth’s atmosphere. So what are the main contributors to global warming? The burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas, emissions from vehicles, waste of non-perishable items, burning, the list goes on and on. Forrest burning contributes 30% of the carbon dioxide that goes into the atmosphere each year. Right now the U.S. is the largest contributor to global warming. That just seems so shameful. Why is this such a political issue, when it is not a political issue at all, but a moral issue. America’s two main automobile manufacturers are still way behind others on making vehicles that are better for our environment. Every country is Kyoto ratified except U.S. and Australia. There are so many ways our country alone can make a massive decrease in global warming. Gore encourages us to speak out, write letters, educate anyone who will listen.

After watching this video, I had several questions. Why, are we not discussing with our children the importance of recycling, turning the lights off when we leave a room, using less water to take a bath. If we don’t start at home where do we start? Why as communities do we not plan and discuss what we can do collectively as a community? Why do teachers have curriculums to follow that do not include educating and encouraging the children to save the very thing that gives them the ability to live and learn? As parents, citizens, students, human beings in general we have a moral responsibility to ourselves and our environment to do everything we can to slow down the effects of global warming. This documentary has had a profound affect on our family, it extends beyond the recycle box we put out every Monday. It’s a shame that there are going to be people out there that will never see this because of there political standings or personal feeling towards Al Gore. If they could just get passed that I feel they would be surprised to find a man with a clear dedication who is fighting for the survival of all of us, despite ourselves. “All the great things are simple, and many can be expressed in a single word: freedom, justice, honor, duty, mercy, hope.” Winston Churchill. We have the freedom to change the way we think. We have the justice and the voice to change it. We have the honor to know, now is the time to ensure our children’s future and the future of every living thing. We have the duty to our planet and ourselves. We have the hope that we can come together and make a change.