The occurrence of extreme natural phenomena is signaling that something uncommon is happening in nature. We are experiencing an era of intense heat waves, thunderstorms, drought, and increasingly severe hurricanes all over the world, as well as an increase in epidemics, and the extinction of numerous species. These phenomena have been pointed out as consequences of climate changes on Earth.
In the film, “An Inconvenient Truth: what we need to do (and know) about global warming”, directed by Davis Guggenheim and presented by environmentalist and former vice-president of the United States, Al Gore, global warming and its consequences are portrayed in a very realistic way. The film, at the same time informational and impacting, has a documentary format and is produced from lectures, given by Al Gore, around the world.
Employing eloquent rhetoric and excellent audiovisual resources that present scientific data and images of recent natural phenomena, Al Gore argues convincingly that the Earth's temperature is increasing, and that the main reason for this increase is man's actions. The straightforward way in which the theme is developed erases any doubt that human activities have influence in climate change. The film warns us of the consequences of environmental disasters we could be exposed to, or actually, that we are already deeply experiencing.
Global warming is caused by the increase of the greenhouse effect, which in turn, is a consequence of the excessive concentration of certain gases in the atmosphere, the so-called greenhouse effect gases, such as: carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. The main source of these gases has been attributed mainly to fossil fuel combustion and to deforestation.
There are still those who question the reality of climate changes on Earth and ignore their effects, in spite of scientific research clearly showing the correlation between the increase of carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere and temperature, in spite of the existence of various simulations of climate behavior through computer imaging, and even though the occurrence of extreme climate events is increasing.
Information published in scientific circles, and stressed by Al Gore, is constantly questioned as to its consistency. In spite of the strong scientific consensus proving the correlation between temperature increase and the concentration of carbon dioxide, many still refuse to believe that man is the main one to blame.
The so called “global warming skeptics” support the theory that the Earth is becoming warmer due to natural causes. They say that periodic climate changes have occurred since the Earth's origin, with or without man's interference as, for example, the “Glacial Eras.” Furthermore, they say that what we see today are only cyclic fluctuations of nature. It is known that events such as these have already happened in times past, but it is worth mentioning that those changes occurred with natural variations in the levels of carbon dioxide that were much smaller than the ones we see today.
It is also known that, besides the greenhouse effect, there are other internal factors to the Sun-Earth-Atmosphere system that affect the climate, such as, variations in planetary albedo, percentages of the incidence of solar radiation, and aerosol concentrations. However, these factors are not enough to explain this much warming in such little time.
There is a conflict of information that needs to be treated cautiously. On one hand, there are those who say that science is inexact, the data is contradictory, and that there are still doubts as to the true cause of past phenomena. On the other hand, there are those to whom global warming is a reality already. The truth is that it is increasingly evident that something wrong is happening to our planet: phenomena that used to happen during geological eras are now happening in the course of one generation.
The hypothesis that Earth's warming is a consequence of man's actions was confirmed with a greater than 90% probability, with the recent publication of part of the Fourth Assessment Report of the Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). In the previous report, published in 2001, this probability was estimated at 60%. Scientists point out that until the end of the century, Earth's temperature will increase by about 3 to 5ºC, unless there is an immediate reduction in the emission of pollutants. Furthermore, scientists say that global warming will cause ice-cap/glacier melting and the subsequent rising of ocean levels, which will generate less frequent but more violent hurricanes and typhoons.
In the film “An Inconvenient Truth”, Al Gore calls our attention to various catastrophic phenomena that already took place all over the world, such as Hurricane Katrina in the United States , extreme heat waves in Europe, floods in China , and the melting of Mount Kilimanjaro 's glaciers. He points out that these phenomena will be increasingly more frequent and violent. Gore also mentions that the formation of hurricanes in the Southern Atlantic Ocean had always been considered impossible, but, in 2004, Brazil was hit by Hurricane Catarina. However, the main purpose for this film is not to be alarmist or terrify people by what could happen, but to inform, to clarify what is true, and most importantly, to show that something needs to be done.
Interspersed in the film's didactic exposition of environmental problems, are Al Gore's personal life stories, such as the accident that almost took his son's life, his sister's death, a teacher's classes at the university, and his defeat in the United States presidential elections. This breaks up somewhat the documentary's scientific scenario and clearly reveals the interest in a political come back of the former United States presidential candidate.
Al Gore says that he has made the “climate change” issue the number one priority of his professional life. The enthusiasm with which he broaches the subject and his passionate ecological militancy are undeniable. Equally undeniable is his attempt at explicit political self-promotion in what he leaves understood in between the lines in his film. The “almost president” of the United States strengthens his public image when he mentions the political use of global warming. Furthermore, he underscores the huge responsibility his country has in this process, remembering that the United States, the greatest polluting country in the world – responsible for approximately a quarter of all carbon gas emissions – was one of only two countries not to ratify the Kyoto Protocol, along with Australia. In doing this, Gore criticizes the position of his political last campaign opponent, President George W. Bush, as it relates to his failure to adopt political measures to reduce global warming.
Independently of who the protagonists are in this issue, whether American citizens or not, for or against the Bush administration, we have to admit that it is impossible to speak of “global warming” without considering the United States the biggest villain in this story.
Even though Bush admits that the world is getting hotter, he still insists that there are no conclusive proofs that global warming is caused by human activities; therefore, resisting to adopt measurers to reduce the emission of polluting gases. The reason for not ratifying the Kyoto Protocol is no secret. For the country with the largest economy in the world, reducing pollutant gas emissions would mean changes in production standards, in the North American way of life, and, indirectly, economic losses. It may be more convenient to ignore the truth, even knowing that the consequences will be unpleasant. Even though North Americans do not have the support of their government, they have shown that they are concerned about this issue. Several cities have implemented, measurers on their own, to reduce pollutants that cause global warming.
“An Inconvenient Truth” calls the public's attention to the real consequences of global warming and demonstrates that no life form that inhabits planet Earth has been as aggressive as the human race. At the same time, the film shows that there are viable solutions to at least try to diminish the impact of human beings on the environment. Several of these solutions depend on government policies, but most of them will have to come from each one of us.
“Each one of us is a cause for global warming; but each one of us can become a part of the solution – in the decisions we make about the products we buy, the electricity we use, the car we drive, and our life-style. We can even make choices that reduce to zero our carbon emissions.” Al Gore
Independently of the reasons that led Al Gore to take on this issue, speak at conferences, write books, and produce this film, the adoption of measures that reduce the effects of climate change are necessary and urgent. We need to become aware that we are responsible for the weather crisis of our planet and it is up to us to do something to turn this around.
Bibliographical References
GORE Jr., A. A. Uma verdade inconveniente - o que você precisa saber (e fazer) sobre o aquecimento global. [tradução Isa Mara Lando] - Barueri, SP: Editora Manole, 2006. 328p.
An Incovenient Truth. Dirigido por Davis Guggenheim. Produzido por Lawrence Bender, Scott Burns, Laurie Lennard e Scott Z. Burns. Elenco: Albert Arnold Gore Júnior. Estados Unidos: Lawrence Bender Productions / Participant Productions, 2006. Filme (100 min), DVD, color, 35 mm.
