Impacts in Your State
Global Warming Hits the Big Screen
Submitted by Kristin Johnson on Tue, 06/27/2006 - 8:21pm
Global warming, Al Gore and a slide show--not exactly your typical summer blockbuster. But for those of you who gave the movie a shot, maybe you discovered something you didn't expect to find. Or maybe you expected everything and can't believe you wasted two hours of your life on the thing.
Whatever you thought, you thought it. Now share it. All you have to do is click the orange comment link right under this post and type a few sentences.
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11 comments
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I was inspired
Thanks to the NWF for the tickets. I am an outdoors communicator, primarily focusing on hunting and fishing. I was impressed enough by "An Inconvenient Truth," to write an article about it for Illinois' Northwest Herald, Kane County Chronicle, Lakeland Times and MidWest Outdoors Magazine. I also invited Doug Inkley, the NWF's Senior Science Advisor, to appear on my radio show on Chicago's NewsTalk 560-AM WIND. To hear the interview or read the column, just copy and paste this url into your address bar: http://tinyurl.com/h9999
Thoughts on An Inconvenient Truth
I have seen Al Gore's movie twice now, once alone, and today with my husband, who went with some skepticism. I believe he came away impressed. We discussed it and wondered what it would take to move the people in our particular community. We live near Austin, Texas, which has committed to trying to live up to the Kyoto protocol, but our suburban area does not necessarily view this issue in the same way. We both wondered if the high price of gas might have an influence on people's choices. If that's what it takes...
I am a homemaker and so I am especially interested in what individual consumers and families can do. I feel like a mere raindrop when a downpour is what is needed, but to do nothing is unthinkable for me.
I thought Mr. Gore's presentation was superb. I was engaged the entire time. I was impressed by all of it, but especially by how well he presented the information in easily accessible terms. It was also very moving and I was encouraged by the optimistic tone of the ending. It made me feel like I did not want to let this crisis continue without a fight.
In college I had a philosophy professor who often talked about the difference between knowledge and wisdom. Knowledge, among other things, gives us the ability to do amazing things technologically. Wisdom tells us if and when we should do them. It was the most important thing I learned in college.
The Inconvenient Truth
I recently saw the 'The Inconvenient Truth" and was very impressed with both the content and presentation. Mr. Gore is obviously quite impassioned and knowledgeable regarding this critical issue and it showed. By all accounts his data is factual and coverage of the topic thorough and with a few minor changes would be excellent viewing for any audience, not just in the United States but the World.
Possible changes:
- The numerous news clips of Ray Nagin were a little unfair. It is true that the mayor of a city with so much potential for disaster due to effects of global warming should have had and been able to execute a plan to provide for the safety of his people. It is also true that his encouragement of constituents to return and build in the same flood plain demonstrates a lack of understanding of the likely future impact of global warming but I am sure there are many other mayors and political offices in general that deserve to share that spotlight.
- Mr. Gore rightly identified Global Warming as a moral rather than political issue but then from time to time his comments did wonder over into political territory. Having given so much of his life to politics he can hardly be faulted, however, the lack of progress on this issue in the past may be a direct result of it being cast as an issue either championed or neglected by one party or the other. The records of both major parties are dismal and it seems that any time an issue is perceived as belonging primarily to one party the lack of future progress is almost assured. It is unfortunate that more people do not see this as a moral issue and the responsibility of us all.
Thank you Al.
An Inconvenient Truth
My wife, Harriet, and I had to travel out of town to a theatre that accepted Fandango tickets, but it was well worth it. We truly believe that had this "president in exile" entered the Whitehouse, not only would we dealing with foreign policies responsibly, we would be in a full blown movement to address global warming. We are aware that to address the only realistic solution, to begin emphasizing human population reduction would be a slap in the face to "motherhood and apple pie",we still wish the former vice president had done so more intensely. People pollute, and the more of them there are, the greater the pollution. Some say, "save the planet!". What? The planet doesn't give a rat's patoot. It's not in peril. It will be here and evolve other life forms long after humans aren't even fossils anymore. "Save life on the planet" would be the accurate mantra. Too bad the other animals can't slap us around and make us "intelligent". It is our graves, as well as theirs, we are digging. Perhaps this movie will be an effective catalyst to the awakening! But as the previous comment states, this movie must get out to the masses. The present method of delivery is only "preaching to the choir". Please take note of the Negative Population Growth motto: "Any cause is a lost cause, without a reduction in population."
an inconvenient truth
I saw the movie last night. I was impressed with Al Gore for the first time. I keep thinking that this movie and the subject of gobal warming needs to get out to the people who arent concerned about the subject. Al doing his slide show city to city and having this movie in theaters, is only reaching people who are already concerned enough to listen. This movie needs to be played on network tv where it might catch the attention of people who would never even think about global warming.Al did a wonderful job of showing in simple terms what gobal warming means, but until it gets out to the non "tree huggers" and environmentalist and in front of the general public nothing will happen. people need to see that what has happened over the last 50 years will double in less than ten. But getting the message out to the people who already care isnt enough. the only people who would spend money to see this movie already care. what do we need to do to get this movie out to the free media, so others might see it?
Inconvenient Truth
We have been paying attention for years as this issue has played out through all the mediums of communication.
The statistical charts graphically demonstrated it isn't just an cyclic trend that will reverse anytime soon .
The not so subtle truth is that it's all about stewartship and responsibility which doesn't always square with the bottom line and profitability. We will go Green when all the parties at large are positioned to make money on the enviornmental issuses however the collective mind set of millions if not billions of people could change the course we are on .Like the film points out it hard to get a man to understand an issue when his paycheck expects him not to .
Hitting Home
I saw 'An Inconvenient Truth' today and was thoroughly and completely taken back by its honesty, passion, scientific evidence and its simplicity. This movie should be required viewing at business meetings and in schools all around the world.
Why we continue to live with a clouded and confused idealism that 'all will be well' if we just don't face it, I will probably never understand. However, what I DO understand is that each of us MUST wake up to how WE affect that which sustains all living things - Mother Earth.
It is sad to think that we, as the 'intelligent & superior' beings on this planet cannot see beyond our own day to day wants & needs to consider the 'big picture'... I believe it is a direct reflection on how disconnected we have become from nature. But I also see this changing. Every day I read posts from people encouraging others to take a stand and to speak out for the earth & her creatures. Every week I know of many that hold energy rituals to try and heal that which has been most neglected.
If each of us can take a moment every day to calm ourselves and think about how the Earth gives to every facet of our lives, then perhaps we can be more aware of what is going on and will be truly motivated to change. We must STOP listening to our back-ward thinking, money-hungry, corrupted government and all the media which seeks to twist the truth to serve who controls them... Think back to times of enjoyment in nature. Think back to days that truly made you happy or peaceful. Think of what you want the world to be like for those to come... Educate yourself as to what little things you can do and then, simply enough, just do what you can and help others to do the same.
* * * Peace and Blessings to All * * *
an inconvenient truth
The movie confirmed a lot of what I already knew of global warming. I would like to see a public campaign to educate people about the options to curb global warming now. Many of our options are double-edged swords. Wind power kills many thousands of birds a year, including endangered species and our great predator birds. Biofuels, if they are going to compete with oil, would require we convert many more lands to intensive agriculture to grow enough crops for the supply. This would mean less land to build houses on and, for a while, more tractors, trucks and other oil-dependent practices would intensify. I won't even discuss nuclear power. If someone, Al Gore, could now move to educate the public about its options in an honest way I think we could really move the dialogue forward.
aninconvenienttruth
Being pretty well read and as knowledgeable as the average person I went to the Al Gore movie expecting affirmation of the many opinions I carried in with me.
The presentation began as a routine slide show with a few obviously well published concerns like hurricanes increasing, ice and snow melting off MountKilimanjaro and ice melting Greenland away.
The blockbusters were the off the scale charts showing rises of temperatures, so high, in recent years that Al Gore used a stage set elevator to take him up to the top temperatures which zoomed off the damn chart. Gaining the information to develop this film required access to top classified areas such as sub expeditions under the arctic ice, travel to foreign lands with full cooperation of all foreign governments. Alternative energy sources were fully investigated and the peaking of oil production bodes no relief
. We have lived the benefits of this planet to its fullest extent and never again will any peoples savor the type of deluxe living we have shared. Why? because we are depleting all the resources we built our entire lives on. Grab ahold of somebody or several sombodies and see this movie.
As fishermen we are concerned with catch and release so we will have game to fish for, Now, we must be concerned with where we will find cool enough water to catch or release a nice trout. We must slow down global warming, ourselves by slowing gas consumption, setting temperatures lower, developing hydrogen fuel cells, and then making our voices heard by electing candidates who are anxious and passionate about establishing new laws and changing the administrations position today, NOW, before it's too late for our grandchildren who will realistically suffer if we dont.
The Inconvenient Truth
The Inconvenient Truth film was very insightful. It was not political and the research that went into producing it was clearly the result of much time and effort expended by aboveboard scientists from around the world.
The images were the most compelling part of the movie. Their photojournalistic qualities largely tell the story of global warming without speaking any words in supplement.
It is clear that we, as members of the sporting community, need to stand with those who have already begun facing the challenges of global warming. As an Idaho native and fanatical hunter and angler, I have noticed a lot of the effects of climate change already. It has been years since snow fell during my early elk hunt in October and many of my favorite fishing streams have become places I no longer cast a line because late winters and earlier springs have left snow packs unable to sustain water levels and temperatures conducive to holding trout through those dry bony days in July and August.
Our climate is changing and its not just a geologic phase. Its a direct result of human-based carbon emissions and irresponsible use of our natural resources. I would urge anyone to see this film if they care anything for our children's future (their children's children too), wildlife, and the wild places that provide us with our quality of life. It will certainly shock you into action, if not leave you feeling obligated to making a difference.
Kudos to Gore
Suggestions for A.I.T.2
Hey Al, if you 're reading this, here's a suggestion for AIT 2:
Go into global warming solutions, and underlying problems. Curbing the global human population explosion, changing entire world economic and governmental paradigms (away from growth, toward sustainability), re-thinking land use and resource sharing, and basing natural resource managment on ecosystem paradigms and long range patterns over time rather than short-term consumptive goals are all examples. Bring in a bit of EOWilson's bottleneck theory, and a bit of population biology. Explain the role of science and the scientific community in guiding this effort to curb global warming. Try to give viewers a mini-crash course in many "ologies". And, Al, be sure to narrate again. You were actually quite good and that puts a personal human face on the whole thing. Good luck, can't wait for the sequel. Tall order, but I bet you're up to it.
Oh, and, Al, YOU GO BOY! It's about time somebody talked about this. Just didn't think anyone would have the courage to do it before passage & institution of significant national campaign finance reform.
I give you the Davey E-Medal for Political Courage.