I watched on DVD, a documentary of Al Gore’s quest to bring the issue of Global Warming to the forefront of our nation’s mind.
“An Inconvenient Truth” was interesting, convincing and inspiring and should be viewed by public leaders and families alike.
In addition to presenting scientific data, the video highlights a personal side of Gore’s life including his motivation for running for the Presidential office and inspiration to support this cause. I found it interesting that it took just one lecture by a college professor to spark this young man’s mind and inform his politics for a lifetime. The near-death of his six year old son also caused Gore to think about the fragility of life and ponder how he would use the remainder of his own life on earth. With a renewed sense of life purpose, he has made it his mission (both in his early political career through this post-Bush election era) to stand for the fight against global warming.
Gore’s personal connections and public reputation allowed him access to scientific data, international travels, and savvy presentation 
technologies that most Americans and scientists for that matter are not per vie to. He is a clear communicator and convicted speaker, able to hold the attention of audiences across the world. In the film Gore doesn’t hold back in wrist-slapping George W. Bush and Phil Cooney (former White House Environmental Officer.) As much as this is marketed as an “educational” documentary, there is a subtle story line as well: I felt that the film was Gore’s way of reasserting his politics, clearing his name, clarifying the strength of his politics, and a chance to rebuff the republican party, W. Bush himself, and the American public who voted for him. The bottom line of the film—that Gore should have been the elected American President who would have (literally) saved the world. He claims he would have led the nation in a way that moved us toward global partnership rather than global conflict (and not abet the War on Terrorism). Personal politics aside, Gore concludes by suggesting that each one of us plays a vital role in reducing global warming and preserving the earth for the future generation.
For more information see:
http://www.climatecrisis.net
http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/environment
http://www.greenpeace.org
1 comment:
Very acute commentary. I would like to hear your take on the movie "Attack of the Killer Tomatoes". Sorry, I can't help it. I was inspired and a bit scared to even contemplate what was being presented (by Gore, not the Tomato movie), and it did try to encapsulate and present the science and problem in lay terms. Your insight on the other themes is very interesting. Cool blog.
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