Al Gore keeps “An Inconvenient Truth” mercifully unpartisan. Sure, he takes some shots at Bush (“I’m Al Gore. I used to be the next president of the United States.”) and gets a little misty eyed about the 2000 election. But his goal is to save the whole planet, not just the parts with blue states.
When it counts, Gore calls out both parties for ignoring global warming out of fear and greed. He especially takes them to task for letting energy interests hijack science and inject false doubt into public opinion to preserve their fortunes. This amounts to a far greater crime than just ignoring the problem; politicians who know the truth permit the circulation of lies.
The images and data presented leave no doubt about our influence on nature. The evidence and scientific consensus is overwhelming.
I shivered as the possible outcomes of unfettered fossil fuel consumption flashed across the screen: mass evacuations, flooding, renewed ice ages, starvation and rampant disease.
The movie’s claim to be the “most terrifying film you’ll ever see” nearly holds true and that’s not because it’s a documentary starring Al Gore. He pours on the charm: He jokes, tells childhood stories and never talks above our heads though he clearly has this subject down cold. He’s more entertaining than anyone would expect.
Still, he steals his own thunder at times by selling us on his credibility. His mantra of only wanting to inform people and usher change wears thin. This has nothing to do with 2000. Period. All right, already; can we get back to the planet?
Gore fails to directly fill a few holes. He explains that the climate changed suddenly in the past, such as during Europe’s mini-ice age when the Gulf Stream stopped and temperatures plummeted in a decade. Since the last 10 years take the top spot as the hottest ever, couldn’t the same be happening in reverse? As I said, he doesn’t directly answer such questions, but shows an indisputable relationship between CO2 and global temperature.
“Truth” isn’t a total downer. Gore balances out the doom and gloom with answers. For instance, replacing old technology with new, existing technology would clean this place up a little.
Although a bit stubborn, the United States — the world’s biggest polluter — can overcome big problems and has: slavery, polio, fascism and even the full-tilt destruction of our environment in past centuries.
We just have to want to fix it.
In person
Catch Al Gore’s global warming presentation in the flesh at 11 a.m. Wednesday at The Greenbrier when he brings his educational crusade to the National Association of State Treasurers’ Conference. The public can attend the conference, but registration fees run a bit high. For more information, visit www.nast.net.
Review
“An Inconvenient Truth” HHH
Rated PG (mild thematic events)
Directed by Davis Guggenheim
Starring Al Gore
Marquee Cinemas
Note: This film closes today in Charleston but remains at Pullman Square in Huntington.