Written by Waterflake
MONTAG, 24 SEPTEMBER 2007
There are many likely candidates to make a film about the dangers of environmental pollution. The producer of this film, however, is not one of the "usual suspects"; this particular activist was an American presidential candidate and Clinton's Vice-President - Al Gore has been touring the USA with his film "An Inconvenient Truth" since the beginning of 2006, and all in aid of the environment. You can view a trailer for the film by clicking on the link. Trailer
translated by Nikki Muir
Al Gore actively allied himself to the environmental cause as early as during his tenure as Vice-President under Bill Clinton, a tenure which is recognised as "The Greenest" in White House history. However, all that was achieved during that time - such as the introduction of the Kyoto Protocol (environmental) guidelines - was quickly forgotten by the winner of the next election, George W. Bush.
Even the majority of scientists couldn’t change the ‘cowboy’ President’s opinion; the latter said in an official speech that he didn’t believe there was evidence of a link between global warming and the greenhouse effect. Al Gore, his former rival, is the current President’s polar opposite.
He has been actively engaged in saving the planet since his election defeat and is currently touring the USA with his documentary film after it was rapturously received at Robert Redford’s "Sundance" film festival. The 90 minutes take us through Al Gore’s life and his love of environment protection, which first began during his student years at college. But the film isn’t a self-portrait; Gore’s role is that of the presenter of historic events.
The real stars are the Earth and humanity, who find themselves endangered by the antagonists, environmental pollution and its accomplices - thoughtless and inconsiderate people and profit-hungry corporations. Mankind is sitting on a time bomb. The vast majority of scientists are right when they claim that we have got just 10 years in which to avoid the kind of catastrophe which will throw our entire planet into a spiral of destruction:
• extreme weather disturbances,
• floods, droughts,
• epidemics and fatal heat waves,
• which will exceed anything we’ve experienced so far.
Strong words to go with frightening images. The film doesn’t only rely on fear and horror scenarios though. It attempts to edify and depict, through simple means, a relationship between the two poles, global warming and its effect on the human race. The documentary also shows the consequences of the constantly rising sea level and the subsequent flood of refugees on an already overpopulated and shrinking planet. Without phrases and slogans, Al Gore shows us the changes that have taken place in the planet in recent years and gives us a glimpse of the future, supported by impressive and disturbing images.
To name but a few:
• Category 4 and 5 hurricanes have almost doubled in the last 30 years Malaria has penetrated as high as 7000ft (approx. 2300m) in the Colombian Andes
• The melting of the glaciers in Greenland has almost doubled in the past decade
• At least 279 species of plants and animals are moving in the direction of the poles in reaction to the incipient global warming.
• If global warming continues we have to anticipate catastrophic consequences.
• In 25 years time the number of deaths caused by heat will double, reaching 300,000.
• Worldwide, the sea level will rise by more than 6.5 metres as a result of the loss of the ice floes in Greenland and Antarctica, which will lead to the destruction of coastal areas around the world.
• Heat waves will occur more frequently and be more intense An increase in the number of droughts and bush fires.
• The Arctic Ocean could be ice free in summer by 2050
• More than a million species are expected to become extinct by 2050.
“There is no doubt about it – we can solve this problem. The fact is that we have a moral obligation to do so. Small changes in our daily routine can add up to a significant contribution in the battle against global warming. The time to unite and solve this problem together is NOW. Take action!”
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Resources: An Inconvenient Truth & Participate.net
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