We rented Al Gore’s movie An Inconvenient Truth last night.
It was ok.
Personally, I think the best thing that Al Gore can do at this point is to come out with a Sequel to this movie.
In it, he should videotape a day in the life with the Gore family showing exactly the things that they are doing in their everyday lives to make this space a better place — for themselves, their children, and their children’s children.
I mean, at the end of the movie, I couldn’t help but wonder if the Gores and their children and their friends and their relatives were really walking the walk…
Because, if one of the leading the proponents behind this whole global warming theory isn’t living by example (which I’m sure he probably is), then what is it… other than just a bunch of talk… just a bunch of hype… and just another bandwagon to jump on?
Not only that, but I think it’s important that we (all of us) start to see living, breathing examples and active participation and community involvement toward improving the situation.
Otherwise, we’re all likely to just brush it under the table and pretend that it [still] doesn’t exist. Don’t you think?
What One Person Can Do…
The biggest thing that struck me after watching this movie… was the impact that one person or one family or one community could really have on this thing we call global warming.
I just couldn’t grasp it.
As the movie neared the end, I found myself asking the following questions:
“Yeah, but what can we DO?”
“How is my minuscule little effort going to impact global warming as a whole?”
“No one’s really going to take the time to change their lifestyles & routines because of this movie, are they?
Then, as I watched the credits roll, and listened to Melissa Etheridge sing her song “I Need To Wake Up”… I was re-motivated to do something.
Here’s the ending that I’m talking about:
Are You Ready To Change The Way You Live?
In case you couldn’t read what appeared on the screen between the closing credits, here are the actual lines from the ending of “An Inconvenient Truth”:
Are you ready to change the way you live? The climate crisis can be solved.
Here’s how to start:
1. Go to climatecrisis.net.
2. Reduce your carbon emissions.
In fact, you can even reduce your carbon emissions to zero.
3. Buy energy-efficient appliances & light bulbs.
4. Change your thermostat.
And use clock thermostats to reduce energy for heating & cooling.
5. Weatherize your house, increase insulation, and get an energy audit.
6. Recycle.
7. If you can, buy a hybrid car.
8. When you can, walk or ride a bicycle.
9. Where you can, use light rail & mass transit.
10. Tell your parents not to ruin the world that you will live in.
11. If you are a parent, join with your children to save the world they will live in.
12. Switch to renewable sources of energy.
13. Call your power company to see if they offer green energy.
If they don’t, as them why not.
14. Vote for leaders who pledge to solve this crisis.
15. Write to congress.
If they don’t listen, run for congress.
16. Plant trees.
Lots of trees.
17. Speak up in your community.
18. Call radio shows and write newspapers.
19. Insist that America free CO2 emissions and join global efforts to stop global warming, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, help farmers grow alcohol fuel, raise fuel economy standards, and require lower emissions from automobiles.
20. If you believe in prayer, pray that people will find the strength to change
21. In the words of the old African proverb: “When you pray, move your feet.”
22. Encourage everyone you know to see this movie.
23. Learn as much as you can about the climate crisis.
24. Then put your knowledge into action.
My Summary
I’m glad I saw this movie. It has caused me to re-evaluate the things I do daily which could impact the future of this planet.
Obviously, it’s more than just “recycle” — we’ve been hearing that for years, yet so few of us actually do it. My theory: we know the long-term benefit, but there’s no short-term incentive. Sad but true, people need a pay-off.
To me, it starts at the community level… and peer pressure will begin to play a role… and living by example will begin to influence our children, our friends, and our neighbors.
But right now, nothing’s really expected of us, so nothing’s really done by us. We all just keep on living our same ‘ol lives and doing the same ‘ol things.
Just my $.02.
Check out more video clips from the movie “An Inconvenient Truth” here.
I like to help people find unique ways to do things in order to save time & money — so I write about “outside the box” ideas that most wouldn’t think of. As a lifelong dog owner, I often share my best tips for living with and training dogs. I worked in Higher Ed over 10 years before switching gears to pursue activities that I’m truly passionate about. I’ve worked at a vet, in a photo lab, and at a zoo — to name a few. I enjoy the outdoors via bicycle, motorcycle, Jeep, or RV. You can always find me at the corner of Good News & Fun Times as publisher of The Fun Times Guide (32 fun & helpful websites).
