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I liked "An Inconvenient Truth." But I didn't like it because it inspired me, or was even very interesting to me...I liked it because I thought it did a good job of conveying the magnitude of the climate crisis to a lot of people who hadn't thought much about it in the past.
But Al's recent talk at the TED conference is on another level of awesome. It's not about the problem, it's pretty much all about the solution. But the reason why we can't face the climate crisis, he says, is because we in America have to first face the democracy crisis. And I completely agree with him.
"As important as it is to change the light bulbs...it's more important to change the laws," he says. And we simply can't do that if Wal-Mart is a more effective leader on climate change than our own government. This problem will never be solved by individuals taking action in their own lives...we have to make global changes.
So, yes, change the light bulbs...but also consider the environment when you're choosing careers, education, investments and, possibly most important of all....voting. And tell your Senators that you think it's disgusting that the U.S. is the only developed country that doesn't have the balls to sign onto the Kyoto protocol.
And, most pressing right now, find your Senator's phone number, call them, and tell them to vote for the Solar Investment Tax Credit. It's what Al would tell you to do.
Oh...and also, if you watch the whole thing...you'll see him liken our exploration of low-quality oil shale to junkies finding veins in their toes because the veins in their arms and legs have collapsed. There has never been a more apt and frightening metaphor. The whole thing really is worth watching.
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written by James Hardy, April 10, 2008
Thanks for this post. It brings attention to the fact that being part of a democracy goes beyond just voting. Our politicians need constant pressure from the public and the media to make better decisions.
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written by jake3988, April 10, 2008
Needless to say, everytime he speaks. I listen.
Every show I see him on he is the classiest of the class. Even Jesse Ventura (who HATED democrats and republicans with an everlasting passion) admits that Al Gore isn't running because he's too good for those crappy parties.
If you need an example of 'The power of One'... just look at Al Gore.
Never stop, man. Never let the conservatives and critics get you down. What you're doing could save the world.
Every show I see him on he is the classiest of the class. Even Jesse Ventura (who HATED democrats and republicans with an everlasting passion) admits that Al Gore isn't running because he's too good for those crappy parties.
If you need an example of 'The power of One'... just look at Al Gore.
Never stop, man. Never let the conservatives and critics get you down. What you're doing could save the world.
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written by Dustin, April 10, 2008
While all these things are good, I just want everyone to make sure they are not blindly asking for things that they haven't looked at with more scrutiny. I know you guys in the US think it is horrible that your government hasn't signed onto Kyoto yet, but mull this over, here in Canada we have signed onto to Kyoto, but what have we done about it. Well considering that we are the worlds 2nd largest producer of greenhouse gas emissions per capita obviously states not a heck of a lot. So while Kyoto is a good idea on paper I think we need to be more skeptical about agreements and continue to push our governments not to sign little pieces of it but to step up and effect change.
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written by Fred Fournier, April 10, 2008
On this suject you're way behind everybody else (I'm swiss..) but you have the best potential in changing things and you have the most brillant man I've ever seen since I walk on this earth ... cheer up ! Things are going to change ... and make them change, the world is waiting for you !!
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written by Ken Roberts, April 10, 2008
Don't get fooled into more government intervention. Make sure that the programs you are pushing for actually *work*. There has obviously been a huge problem with the corn ethanol subsidies that have pushed food prices up without meaningfully reducing greenhouse emissions. Lets not throw any more of our hard-earned tax payer dollars down the drain.
PS, stop beating up on Walmart for trying to do a good thing. We're totally removing the incentive for companies to do good by not giving them the PR that they deserve.
PS, stop beating up on Walmart for trying to do a good thing. We're totally removing the incentive for companies to do good by not giving them the PR that they deserve.
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written by gyates, April 10, 2008
Religion is not about belief???????? What!?!?!?!?
He is establishing a system of belief by what he is saying. The point of the American government is to defend and unite the nation, not dictate my life. I personally have chosen to better my life through efficiency, etc. Gores claims of the polar caps contradict the claims of the scientists who study the caps and such areas. The scientists have said that due to the extreme circumstances, they do not have the ability to get accurate measurements. History has shown expansions and contractions of the temperature which actually affects the ice levels. There are no measurements of the size of the ice formations simply because technology to measure it is still developing.
He is establishing a system of belief by what he is saying. The point of the American government is to defend and unite the nation, not dictate my life. I personally have chosen to better my life through efficiency, etc. Gores claims of the polar caps contradict the claims of the scientists who study the caps and such areas. The scientists have said that due to the extreme circumstances, they do not have the ability to get accurate measurements. History has shown expansions and contractions of the temperature which actually affects the ice levels. There are no measurements of the size of the ice formations simply because technology to measure it is still developing.
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written by mcpuddin, April 10, 2008
Regarding an environmental consciousness as a religion, it is definitely a belief (more of a way of living) but I don't think that fact should devalue its importance. As Gore mentions, tackling these environmental issues should be our generational goal, to stand up and overcome them. He mentions many goals, including the writing of the bill of rights, are constitutional rights also not a belief? ( I hope I understood gvates meant )
Regarding what we should do versus what we know, whether global warming is man made or not, climate change is the interest of all governments because it disturbs the steady state in which our economies have been formed. I believe climate change is undeniable and polar ice caps are melting -- should we try to stabilize or should we wait for the environment to directly impact our way of life to decide to act?
Regarding what we should do versus what we know, whether global warming is man made or not, climate change is the interest of all governments because it disturbs the steady state in which our economies have been formed. I believe climate change is undeniable and polar ice caps are melting -- should we try to stabilize or should we wait for the environment to directly impact our way of life to decide to act?
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written by Bob Wallace, April 10, 2008
gyates -
How do you feel about billions of US dollars being shipped out of the country to oil producers?
How do you feel about billions of US dollars being spent on pollution-related illness, taxpayer dollars spent on poor people?
How do you feel about millions of "little brown people" moving to the US when their lands become uninhabitable?
We deal with the problem of continued fossil fuel dependency and we get a positive outcome for all those things which I assume do bother you.
(BTW, you don't know jack about polar ice. Try reading rather than getting your info from AM radio.)
How do you feel about billions of US dollars being shipped out of the country to oil producers?
How do you feel about billions of US dollars being spent on pollution-related illness, taxpayer dollars spent on poor people?
How do you feel about millions of "little brown people" moving to the US when their lands become uninhabitable?
We deal with the problem of continued fossil fuel dependency and we get a positive outcome for all those things which I assume do bother you.
(BTW, you don't know jack about polar ice. Try reading rather than getting your info from AM radio.)
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written by Tursiops, April 10, 2008
I've watched it when it came out and what I really like about it is that it has some good and bad news, not only one or the other.
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written by Bob Wallace, April 10, 2008
gyates -
How do you feel about billions of US dollars being shipped out of the country to oil producers?
How do you feel about billions of US dollars being spent on pollution-related illness, taxpayer dollars spent on poor people?
How do you feel about millions of "little brown people" moving to the US when their lands become uninhabitable?
We deal with the problem of continued fossil fuel dependency and we get a positive outcome for all those things which I assume do bother you.
(BTW, you don't know jack about polar ice. Try reading rather than getting your info from AM radio.)
How do you feel about billions of US dollars being shipped out of the country to oil producers?
How do you feel about billions of US dollars being spent on pollution-related illness, taxpayer dollars spent on poor people?
How do you feel about millions of "little brown people" moving to the US when their lands become uninhabitable?
We deal with the problem of continued fossil fuel dependency and we get a positive outcome for all those things which I assume do bother you.
(BTW, you don't know jack about polar ice. Try reading rather than getting your info from AM radio.)
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written by Tim McGee, April 11, 2008
Thanks Hank for the post on Gore's talk. What struck me most is that he is still searching for words to communicate his message.
I'm encouraged that Obama is smart enough to realize Gore has put tremendous thought, effort, and investment into considering a global response to climate change- I agree. I think both of them are on to something, and the internet, blogs, and a new social environment has indeed been born in this current generation.
In my own work, I have tried to convey to those around me not necessarily the sense of urgency regarding climate change, but the sense that the problem extends beyond personal responsibility.
"You are accountable for your own actions", very well may have been the response for previous generations of Americans. The problem with this stance is your responsibility does not automatically extend beyond yourself.
But I have noticed increasingly that my generation has hit upon a new accountability - accountable to your peers. "You are responsible for how you interact with others", or perhaps "You are responsible for the health of the system of which you are a part." might be our less catchy, but relevant slogan.
The birth of open source, sharing MP3, and distributing ideas through blogs rely on community, in which this new generation has emerged. The entire web culture depends on a community, and it is in the sense of community that I feel we must now turn to move "Fast and Far" as Al put it.
I'm optimistic because of sites like ecogeek, and brotherhood2.0, and treehugger, where energetic communities self-assemble to address serious issues...because we are all part of the problem, and only by accountability to each other will we successfully find the solutions.
I'm encouraged that Obama is smart enough to realize Gore has put tremendous thought, effort, and investment into considering a global response to climate change- I agree. I think both of them are on to something, and the internet, blogs, and a new social environment has indeed been born in this current generation.
In my own work, I have tried to convey to those around me not necessarily the sense of urgency regarding climate change, but the sense that the problem extends beyond personal responsibility.
"You are accountable for your own actions", very well may have been the response for previous generations of Americans. The problem with this stance is your responsibility does not automatically extend beyond yourself.
But I have noticed increasingly that my generation has hit upon a new accountability - accountable to your peers. "You are responsible for how you interact with others", or perhaps "You are responsible for the health of the system of which you are a part." might be our less catchy, but relevant slogan.
The birth of open source, sharing MP3, and distributing ideas through blogs rely on community, in which this new generation has emerged. The entire web culture depends on a community, and it is in the sense of community that I feel we must now turn to move "Fast and Far" as Al put it.
I'm optimistic because of sites like ecogeek, and brotherhood2.0, and treehugger, where energetic communities self-assemble to address serious issues...because we are all part of the problem, and only by accountability to each other will we successfully find the solutions.
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written by Lou Gold, April 11, 2008
Gore's talk inspired me to create a little ad of my own at http://lougold.blogspot.com/20...gores.html
Perhaps others would like to generate their own ads, slogans, etc and we can share them here.
hugs and blessings,
lou
Perhaps others would like to generate their own ads, slogans, etc and we can share them here.
hugs and blessings,
lou
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written by woody, April 11, 2008
I'm still not sure that Al Gore deserves all the credit he's given. I'm not necessarily demoting him either. He's pushing environmental change mainly due to his belief in greenhouse gases causing climate change. That's still a theory. Hang on here... While there is evidence and big names behind the theory, we shouldn't start teaching it like doctrine. Besides, there are plenty of other reasons why we need to fight oil and preserve the environment: human and animal health (pollution), national security, quality of life, economics, etc. I definitely believe in environmental activism, but I don't necessarily believe in man-made global warming... though it seems to be the only motivator for change. Sad we put aside real proven reasons for change like carcinogens in the air until something big and scary like the greenhouse gas affect comes along.
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written by OsageTribe, April 11, 2008
The article asserts: "This problem will never be solved by individuals taking action in their own lives...we have to make global changes". Reality: the ONLY way the problem will be solved is by individuals taking action in their own lives. If we wait around for governments to pass laws to make that happen, we're definitely doomed. And this is coming from a government staff person.
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written by net97surferx, April 12, 2008
While many bow to kiss the ground Mr. Gore walks on, I am not as impressed by 'An Inconvenient Truth'... as it is really sloppy science and more misleading in the 'facts' he presents.
For all that's wrong with his presentation of 'the way things are', I can't fault the guy for wanting to work at being smarter about how we live, produce, and use the Earth we live on.
For all that's wrong with his presentation of 'the way things are', I can't fault the guy for wanting to work at being smarter about how we live, produce, and use the Earth we live on.
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written by Jenny, April 12, 2008
Has anyone here read Climate Crash by John D. Cox? I just read it over the weekend. It was an excellent book and the author shows through evidence from ice cores collected in Greenland over the years that the climate is capable of very quick jumps in climate change. This natural tendency combined with man made Co2 increasing is setting us up for the big unknown. Its almost like we are do for a jump/change in overall climate and we are pouring fire on top of it with the Co2. As far as Al Gore goes he is doing what he can to wake people up to this. I'm glad he didn't run for president. At least the press asks him about climate change and not if he's upset that he's an old white man or what his bolwing score is or whether he can roll out of bed and answer that 3am phone call. What are we talking about in this election so far? Utter useless crud.
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written by Jeff, April 12, 2008
Where did all of these fossil fuels come from originally? I know now plants get their carbon from CO2 in the air. And I believe that all of these fossil fuels are supposedly created from ancient plant remains. I have always wondered where all of this carbon came from if not the atmosphere in the first place.
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written by Paul M, April 14, 2008
Al Gore cares, he cares for you and me black or white. On youtube if you look for overunity you will find an engine of a different type, of which it does not need any outside fuel to keep it running, it makes its own. The way of the future is here.
It would be hard to get every nuclear electricity plant or coal plant to stop using their fuels to make energy. Why? its money, if you put millions of people out of work because theres no need to dig coal - transport the fuels - and the like the world will stop spinning. I believe there would have to be a change in the human race like never before to fix the global warming solution, do you really think this could happen? The time when you will be paying for fruit and veges will be out of reach for the lower class if not already in some areas of the world, if you imagine a bubble growing in size where this is happening, well its getting bigger. Everything we do today requires fuel and electricity and its not going to get cheaper, as the under developed nations develop then they require more of your oil and that creates new problems of supply and then who can cough up the most money per barrel will keep going.
Stan Meyers was on the right track to keep cars going on cheap fuel, hydrogen, made from water, but we all know anyone who wont sell their ideas to the oil company's will soon come to grief as he did, Look him up on youtube as well.
Look up Surge Technologies on youtube, he has one of those magnet motors powering his car, no need for water.
So you see there are lots of great ways to kick off ways and go green, but who will get it going, who will make a new car affordable for everyone. I know this would never happen, but what if a car you bought was going to buy was going to cost you in relation what your earning, if you earn 20000 a year then the cost of the car would not be that same as someone who's earning 100000 a year. I hear you say there would be ways around it for the guys earning 100000 to pay less, discrimination and all that but, its Mother earth we are trying to preserve, and that another issue the human race has to get over, issues with "what about me" no one seems to look into the future far enough. Food does not grow in the supermarket.
I'm hoping they will build large skyscrapers that are for growing food soon, as the drought will begin to take over in lots of places.
When I seen the car owned by a Oilman, the car was covered with 480million bucks worth of diamonds, that made me want to puke, if that what they do with their fortunes then I dont really want to help him make another one, truly sad that is.
Thats my 2 cents, thanks for reading :)
It would be hard to get every nuclear electricity plant or coal plant to stop using their fuels to make energy. Why? its money, if you put millions of people out of work because theres no need to dig coal - transport the fuels - and the like the world will stop spinning. I believe there would have to be a change in the human race like never before to fix the global warming solution, do you really think this could happen? The time when you will be paying for fruit and veges will be out of reach for the lower class if not already in some areas of the world, if you imagine a bubble growing in size where this is happening, well its getting bigger. Everything we do today requires fuel and electricity and its not going to get cheaper, as the under developed nations develop then they require more of your oil and that creates new problems of supply and then who can cough up the most money per barrel will keep going.
Stan Meyers was on the right track to keep cars going on cheap fuel, hydrogen, made from water, but we all know anyone who wont sell their ideas to the oil company's will soon come to grief as he did, Look him up on youtube as well.
Look up Surge Technologies on youtube, he has one of those magnet motors powering his car, no need for water.
So you see there are lots of great ways to kick off ways and go green, but who will get it going, who will make a new car affordable for everyone. I know this would never happen, but what if a car you bought was going to buy was going to cost you in relation what your earning, if you earn 20000 a year then the cost of the car would not be that same as someone who's earning 100000 a year. I hear you say there would be ways around it for the guys earning 100000 to pay less, discrimination and all that but, its Mother earth we are trying to preserve, and that another issue the human race has to get over, issues with "what about me" no one seems to look into the future far enough. Food does not grow in the supermarket.
I'm hoping they will build large skyscrapers that are for growing food soon, as the drought will begin to take over in lots of places.
When I seen the car owned by a Oilman, the car was covered with 480million bucks worth of diamonds, that made me want to puke, if that what they do with their fortunes then I dont really want to help him make another one, truly sad that is.
Thats my 2 cents, thanks for reading :)
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written by mark, April 14, 2008
Nice. United nations report this year the globe is cooling. Bring on the ice age. How are you going to get communist china to reduce green house gasses since they are the biggest emitter now? why don't y'all go over to china and protest and see how far that gets you? While it is an individuals choice to choose incadescent over cf lights, I don't want the choice rammed down my throat by the heavy hand of government.
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written by Wayne, April 14, 2008
We love Al Gore - so much we pretty much named our environmental blog site after his other great piece of work.
Yes, its all a bit theatrical, yes he's a bit a showman. But so what! The most important thing is that we wake up and realise that if we all don't do something pretty damn quickly then potentially later generations will suffer - the theory of sustainability needs to be communicated to all. Keep up the good work Al and great work by EcoGeek as ever!!!!
Yes, its all a bit theatrical, yes he's a bit a showman. But so what! The most important thing is that we wake up and realise that if we all don't do something pretty damn quickly then potentially later generations will suffer - the theory of sustainability needs to be communicated to all. Keep up the good work Al and great work by EcoGeek as ever!!!!
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written by Megan, April 14, 2008
I agree that Al Gore made talking about the climate crisis "mainstream" in a way and carried his message to many people who would not have even thought about it before.
Have you heard about Global Response? It's a non-profit org that carries out campaigns to protect environmentally valuable places around the world at the request of indigenous people. Their website is www.globalresponse.org for more info.
Have you heard about Global Response? It's a non-profit org that carries out campaigns to protect environmentally valuable places around the world at the request of indigenous people. Their website is www.globalresponse.org for more info.
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are we waiting for.