Al Gore's Inconvenient Truth

Al Gore’s documentary, the award-winning An Inconvenient Truth, is a wake-up call for us all. In this film, Gore reiterated the dramatic effects of global warming while injecting his life stories in between. His defeat in the presidential election against George Bush did not displace him from the limelight of political arena. Instead, he used his popularity to save the world from global warming.

I like Al Gore’s fighting spirit. He was shown criticizing a scientist who did not show the correct data on the carbon dioxide content of our atmosphere, which possibly caused our delayed actions to solve the problem. Furthermore, he is never afraid to raise this sensitive issue, a particularly sensitive political issue. The fight against global warming entails closure of coal power plants, regulation of carbon emissions of several companies and revision of government policies. But, as Gore pointed out, this is no longer a political issue but a moral issue. This problem knows no political boundary and involves everyone and everything on this fragile earth. Gore even went to China to talk with scientists regarding the chain of coal-fired power plants in their country. Knowing for the fact that China is wary of anything that is “western”, Gore’s action is indeed heroic. He may not be America’s president, but he I initiated his own “foreign relations” that could save the world.

His courage to expose truth using science and statistics is admirable. He made us believe that the information he provided is not exaggeration but are based on hard facts. He showed pictures of thinning icecaps and disappearing glaciers. He also showed data about the earth’s increasing temperature gathered by highly accurate instruments. Furthermore, he utilized computer simulations to determine the increase of sea level due to the rapid melting of ice.

Some facts presented are shocking yet convincing. I have been aware of the effects of the importance of caring of the environment. Perhaps, a lot of people also have been aware of the increasing earth’s temperature and the thinning of the ozone layer. However, I was surprised to learn that global warming has taken its toll in the occurrence of typhoons. I never expected that such global condition could also trigger climate change. Gore’s presentation on the typhoon Katrina is crystal-clear. It brings to mind the effects done by typhoon Frank in our country. It is still fresh in the mind of many Filipinos the sinking of M/V Princess of the Orient, landslides, flashfloods in various parts of the region and ultimately the destruction of our livelihood. A lot of places that have never been flooded before, were several meters deep under water. It goes to show that we are now experiencing climate change which could be attributed to global warming. Yet, Iloilo city is on the verge of building the monstrous coal-fired powered plant. Haven’t they seen the picture depicted in Inconvenient Truth? It is a coal plant that emits smoke which in turn appears like a hurricane. Is it not clear that increased carbon emissions would trigger more heavy rainfall and stronger typhoons? The city government should watch this movie.

I also admire Al Gore’s temperance. If I were him, I would be shouting a lot in the entire documentary. The urgency of the issue at hand and the dramatic effects it brings could raise the blood pressure of any speaker. Gore is composed in delivering his message unlike the loudmouth Rugrats character in the movie. I’m glad Gore did not shout to America’s nearly-deaf ears, “We’ll solve global warming, once and for all!”

The former Vice President is also an eloquent speaker. He makes his message clear with prudent choice of words. He knows when to say intellectual jokes. His pleasing appearance also contributed much to his charisma. He is indeed the perfect person tell the documentary’s story.

I also salute the people who genuinely care for the environment especially those who have made their popularity a medium for global warming awareness like Leonardo DiCaprio, Angel Aquino and Natalie Portman. But for us ordinary mortals, we could also follow the footsteps of these earth saviors. At the end of the documentary, some tips are given on how we could make a change in our own little way. Here are the ten things to do: (1) Change light. (2) Drive less. (3) Recycle more. (4) Check your tires. (5) Use less hot water. (6)Avoid products with a lot of packaging. (7) Adjust your thermostat. (8) Plant a tree. (9) Turn off electronic devices. Of course, last is (10) Spread the word by encouraging friends to watch the film.

As teachers, we all have the power to apply Gore’s teachings. Perhaps, we could initiate a campaign on recycling in our school; encourage students in using recycled materials in their projects; or join tree-planting activities with student organizations. The list goes on, but we have to act now.