An Inconvenient Truth

Al Gore won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007 (BBC 2007) largely as a result of his film, ‘An Inconvenient Truth’
To what extent do you think this was deserved? Having watched the film in class did you feel that your opinion (or perhaps the opinion of others) to the issue of climate change could be positively influenced? What did you think of this film? Was it effective?

Every year since 1901 the Nobel Prize has been awarded for achievement in physics, chemistry, physiology and medicine, literature and peace. Al Gore won half of this prize on merit for his contributions to climate change and global warming. The other half of the prize went to IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change). His contributions fall under the category of peace because the theme of his film was focusing on sustainable planetary peace. In his presentations, Al Gore’s aim has been to disseminate information to the international community about climate change through lectures, books and films.

When I watched the film at first I was a bit sceptical about the title, and doubted what this politician could convincingly say other than pursuing personal political ideologies. As I began to follow the film pensively, I gained understanding. Of interest, was his statement about what puts us into trouble is what we do know about. Furthermore, he mentioned that scientific consensus believes human activities are responsible for global warming. Related links to support this are; (http://www.350.org/) which marked the 24 Oct, 2009 protests on climate change. The forth coming conference in Barcelona is a build up to the Copenhagen summit in December, this year (http://unfccc.int/). Even more challenging was the Blog Action Day2009/climate change held on 15 October where bloggers from 156 countries wrote on this single topic in a single day to raise awareness and trigger global discussion (http://www.blogactionday.org/).

The Nobel Prize Committee commended Al Gore’s fundamental effort in building up and disseminating greater knowledge about man-made climate change (BBC Oct, 2007). Al Gore and his counterpart, the IPCC, have laid foundation for the measures that are needed to counteract such change. The film revealed some evidence on global warming very likely as a result of human activities. Some of these are; temperatures rising, glaciers melting in the Antarctic and Greenland causing 20 ft rise of sea level. Also the issue of carbon emissions.
(See picture top left corner showing emissions) are characterizing the world today. In another perspective, India’s argument with USA is that developed countries should be blamed more for the carbon emissions and global warming. (http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/environment/2009-07-19-climate-india.N.htm) India and China are said to be among major polluters and yet crucial players in fighting global warming.

The Copenhagen conference to be held in December, 2009 is aimed at replacing the Kyoto Protocol (1997). Subsequent to foundations lain down by Al gore, there is now evidence of world participation in climate change programs. Look at the animation top left which illustrates different extreme weather patterns the world today is experiencing due to climate change.

Any reasonable person would not want to sit and watch our planet being consumed. I definitely support the move by all governments to working together to alleviate the dangers of climate change. Working tirelessly are some prominent individuals like Bjorn Lomborg, the Danish environmental writer, who agrees with Al gore. Lomborg ,who also has outlined the ten global challenges including climate change. More information is on this link (http://www.copenhagenconsensus.com/CCC%20Home%20Page.asp) The Millennium Development Goals is focusing on environmental sustainability as an ongoing activity. (http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/environ.shtml) Some Climatologists working in various organizations like IPCC and the world, UNEP agree with Al gore who is also chairperson for Alliance for Climate Change (http://www.climateprotect.org/).

However, there are skeptical scientists who criticize Al gore for making scare tactics to frighten people. Top global proponents predict only 1 to 2.3 degrees rise over the next 50 years. Again they argue that frightening projections of Florida and San Francisco, due to sea levels rise of 20 feet, are exaggerated. Other predictions are that even under aggressive projections; Greenland and Iceland ice sheets would not melt for over 500 to 1000 years (V.R. Rinterknecht, et.al. Science- March, 2006).

But the message is clear to me and to others who care about our planet. I do not think Al Gore’s campaign was a mere political gimmick but a moral issue. Our common future is at risk. Let us all have a say, and support those individuals, organizations and governments working on climate change and global warming.