Shannon

Justin, his parents and I saw Gore's documentary, An Inconvenient Truth on Saturday. There were at least 15 other people in the theatre, which is notable since San Antonio isn't exactly "green city USA". I was probably among the youngest there, at age 32, though. Where are the younger folks? I know it's summer and it's not a date flick, but...?

We all learned something from it, and we all thought it was a well produced documentary and that Gore did a good job communicating it. I will be buying a copy on DVD for our home theatre library. His delivery was perfect. My only aggravation were the overt political bits -- flashing back to the election, etc., but I'll grant him that; politics aside that kind of personal/career setback can create a paradigm shift in one's focus, and in that respect it fit the rest of the documentary. In multiple ways he addressed why this issue is so important and why he's been so focused on it for so long, and in a renewed manner in recent years.

I wish everyone would go see this, regardless of their political or environmental views.

Incidentally, the marquee at the theatre (inside and outside, both) only had enough room for the movie to be listed as "INCONVENIENT". It was rather comical. Vertical list of movies on the interior marquee:
LAKE HOUSE
FAST & FURIOUS
CARS
INCONVENIENT

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BigBendHiker

Thanks for your post. I plan on seeing it, although I doubt it will make it to the town in which I live. Thus, will have to wait for DVD.

From personal experience, I have seen how the visibility in the Big Bend region has decreased noticeably in just the past 25 years as a result of the burning of fossil fuels. And, Big Bend is in the middle of nowhere. Climate change is an important issue and one which cannot be ignored. An Inconvenient Truth will hopefully focus debate and attention on this important subject.

stingrey

Happened to see this movie this past weekend (before studying for three exams) and I found it disturbing considering the changes that I have seen in my own local ecosystems both here and in my old stomping grounds. I KNOW that things are changing here, but to see it on a larger scale is pretty upsetting.

toejam

What is Truth?

The smart people I know say the earth has always gone through climate change cycles and that the affect we've had can't alter what the earth does to herself. That's no reason to be irresponsible, but I remain unconvinced.

This inconvenient "truth" seems like a very convenient excuse for controlling the people and their money.

rockhill

Has the earth gone thru climate changes before modern man? Scientist tell us it has and there does seem to be plenty of evidence the common man can see and understand. Have we accelerated or adversly affected the enviroment? I believe that we have done so. The decrease in visibility, crud floating in the air and water can not be beneficial. Now how much of the melting ice cap do we blame on "natural changes" and how much on greenhouse gases? That is the tough question that I believe no one can say for certainty. To be safe, we need to do those things required to lessen our foot print on the eco system.
Just one man's opinion to be sure, but open debate and concern is a good thing.

DamonH

Seconded. I am for people not wasting and being irresponsible like you said. I thought this was pretty funny:

POWER: GORE MANSION USES 20X AVERAGE HOUSEHOLD; CONSUMPTION INCREASE AFTER 'TRUTH'
Mon Feb 26 2007 17:16:14 ET

The Tennessee Center for Policy Research, an independent, nonprofit and nonpartisan research organization committed to achieving a freer, more prosperous Tennessee through free market policy solutions, issued a press release late Monday:



Last night, Al Gore’s global-warming documentary, An Inconvenient Truth, collected an Oscar for best documentary feature, but the Tennessee Center for Policy Research has found that Gore deserves a gold statue for hypocrisy.

Gore’s mansion, [20-room, eight-bathroom] located in the posh Belle Meade area of Nashville, consumes more electricity every month than the average American household uses in an entire year, according to the Nashville Electric Service (NES).

In his documentary, the former Vice President calls on Americans to conserve energy by reducing electricity consumption at home.

The average household in America consumes 10,656 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year, according to the Department of Energy. In 2006, Gore devoured nearly 221,000 kWh—more than 20 times the national average.

Last August alone, Gore burned through 22,619 kWh—guzzling more than twice the electricity in one month than an average American family uses in an entire year. As a result of his energy consumption, Gore’s average monthly electric bill topped $1,359.

Since the release of An Inconvenient Truth, Gore’s energy consumption has increased from an average of 16,200 kWh per month in 2005, to 18,400 kWh per month in 2006.

Gore’s extravagant energy use does not stop at his electric bill. Natural gas bills for Gore’s mansion and guest house averaged $1,080 per month last year.

“As the spokesman of choice for the global warming movement, Al Gore has to be willing to walk to walk, not just talk the talk, when it comes to home energy use,” said Tennessee Center for Policy Research President Drew Johnson.

In total, Gore paid nearly $30,000 in combined electricity and natural gas bills for his Nashville estate in 2006.

For Further Information, Contact:
Nicole Williams, (615) 383-6431
editor@tennesseepolicy.org

Shannon

It's easy to discount the message due to the messenger (a politician, a wealthy individual, etc.), but I think it's a mistake to do so. Write off the message of the documentary on other grounds, but not simply because you dislike Gore or his personal actions.

While natural processes (that we still don't fully understand) do indeed cause dramatic changes to our Earth, I also think it's fool-hardly to think that we don't do damage and have the capacity and capability to accelerate said changes or modify them in ways that are less-than-desirable for the habitability of our planet. All you have to do is look at pollution on a local level and extrapolate that out to your city, state, nation, continent, and the globe to know that these things compound and have unintended and undesirable effects/affects.

Recycling, using gasoline and energy more efficiently/effectively, properly disposing of dangerous wastes, and so forth, certainly can't HURT the environment and are thus viable options for those who wish to participate in doing something vs. maintaining the status quo.

As for benefitting special interest groups, there are special interest groups, lobbiests and so forth representing the oil, gas, coal and so-forth industries so I don't see why there can't or shouldn't be comparable special interest groups and lobbiests involved in energy efficient or alternative energy (solar, wind, hydroelectric, and yes, nuclear), in hybrid and electric vehicles, in "green" building materials and recycling, etc.

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toejam

It's great to do all those earth-friendly things, but it's not a good excuse for tyranny.

Shannon

Where is tyranny coming into play?

That's an awfully strong word to use without giving some examples of how you feel it fits.

Did you actually watch Gore's documentary?

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MissionCamper

Fair enough, but for many of us it's a perfect example of do as I say.. not as I do philosophy...has nothing to do with liking/disliking his actions. Doesn't exactly add credibility to his cause. My response to this is simple: If you want me to make sacrifices, show me you're willing to do the same.

BigBendHiker

Well said, Shannon and your comments are right on. I do believe climate change is here. I believe we are much of the cause. I was saddened to read of Mr. Gore's energy bill and agree, it hurts his credibility. Nonetheless, I think his message is accurate.

But, let's consider just a moment, that our hypothesis is wrong -- that greenhouse gases and use of fossil fuels are not the cause of climate change. If so, we could continue to use non-renewable sources of energy and throw the talk of conservation to the wind. We could forget about developing renewable and sustainable energy sources.

What sort of legacy is that? We have an obligation to steward this world for our children and their children. Our parents wanted a better life for us than what they had endured. We must do the same. If we fail to address fossil fuel and non-renewable energy use, we will reach a point of so-called peak oil. When that happens, supply will drop and demand will make $62/bbl oil seem like a dime store bargain. What will we say to our families and our children when our economies are paralyzed as a result?

On that basis alone and irrespective of one's view of global warming, we must act. We must conserve and we must search for and develop renewable and sustainable energy sources. To do otherwise is a callous disregard for our duty to ourselves and others.

BBH

jeffnsa

both sides of the argument are correct.i believe that we are causing a problem but it is not as bad as al gore says it is, unfortunatly that movie is a comercial for a company that he is a share holder of that sells carbon credits. but there is some truth to it, also that the sun is recording more activity which increases our temperature, and this is the closest that we have been to the sun in about 2000 years. we should do all that we can do to help the enviroment and renewable energy or new energy sources will help. i am tired of hearing the liberals screaming the end of the world is near, and the consertaves saying there is nothing wrong. they both pay these scientest to prove their own political theories and play on our fears and beliefs. it would be great to keep the politics out of doing the right thing but it will never happen. maybe instead of spending money on propaganda the money could be spent to make the "going green" items more affordable to the average person so we could all do our part.

Shannon

Everyone CAN do their part. Sure, a hybrid or plug-in electric vehicle, or solar panels for power on your home/workshop shed are cool, but expensive, but ANYONE can recycle paper, aluminum, used items that someone else can repair vs. throwing them in a landfill. Bus fare is cheaper than a taxi, a car payment or lease payment plus gasoline, and a bicycle is cheaper still and healthy (for some routes, and some riders -- not saying mom with three kids, or dad with groceries or lumber to pick up can do so with a bicycle.) More efficient lightbulbs aren't much more expensive than old style incandescents, and really actually are cheaper when you consider how often the old style burn out and how much more power they consume. Thermostats can be set to reasonable temperatures, especially when people are away from their homes for most of the daytime hours or when on vacation (pets will be fine as long as they have food and water and shade, especially indoor-only pets.) Lawnmowers can be maintained, as can cars, so they don't spew out even more harmful toxins when used -- a friendly neighbor can do the mechanical work in exchange for your yardwork or whatever skill you're handy at.

Too many people are waiting for the easy solutions that require no change or extra work (sorting recyclables vs. dumping everything in a trashcan, etc.) on their part. Well, change has to come from all of us. Blaming others is a waste of time and energy. Do what you can as an individual. Individuals working toward a common good/goal... that's all most "environmentalists" are asking for.

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jeffnsa

i agree shannon, every little bit helps.the media only shows the rich and famous or the bad side of things. a true enviromentalist does what they say but most claiming to be only want you do do what they say and not what they do.

Jim Colyer

I wrote and recorded an environmental song a while back.

SAVE THE PLANET

http://jimcolyer.com/@tracks/20/lofi.mp3

We're floating on a grain of sand in the vastness of space
If future generations are going to inherit this place
We've got to Save The Planet
Do something while there's still time
Save The Planet
This earth is yours and mine

The tropical rainforest is disappearing more everyday
We'll never replace it, we'd better not burn it away
Save The Planet
The wonders of nature are free
Save The Planet
Have you ever planted a tree?

If the skies are blue
And the oceans too
Isn't this a better home for me and you?
If the air is clean
And the land is green
Wouldn't you like to be part of this lovely scene?

solo

I'm thinking of the animals that once roamed the African plain
Their numbers have dwindled, pretty soon none will remain
Save The Planet
Do something while there's still time
Save The Planet
This earth is yours and mine
Save The Planet
The wonders of nature are free
Save The Planet
Have you ever planted a tree?

Save The Planet
Save The Planet
Save The Planet
Save The Planet
Save The Planet, Save The Planet
Save The Planet, Save The Planet
Save The Planet, Save The Planet
Save The Planet, Save The Planet
Save The Planet
Save The Planet

Jim Colyer ascap

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