Global Climate Crisis? Check Your Tyres truth Al Gore's presentation in this documentary film highlights the urgency of the need to address climate change. 'The moral imperative to make big changes is inescapable', he argues. This factual, easily comprehensible and watchable film sends out a message that should wake people up and make many feel the need for immediate action. We are shown footage of Al Gore's powerpoint lectures to live audiences, interspersed with clips of Gore on his family's farm or in his previous life as a leading Democratic Party politician. The use of cartoon clips and animation in photos and graphs adds humour and interest while still portraying vital information. The technique of using 'before' and 'after' shots (beloved by American advertisers) of mountain glaciers starkly portrays the changes that have happened worldwide within the last thirty to forty years. Most of us know about the dangers of the Arctic and Antarctic ice melting but what comes across alarmingly in this film is the speed at which it is happening. What we are faced with is not a linear system with gradual changes that can be adapted to - no, these changes occur in leaps and jumps, as shown by the recent incredible aerial shots of the Larsen B ice shelf breaking up. An Inconvenient Truth Directed by Davis Guggenheim, 2006, 93 Minutes Reviewed by Tracy Nguyen Evidently a dramatic increase in temperatures across the world has meant many more hurricanes, typhoons and tornadoes. As in the case of Hurricane Katrina, these become much more of a devastating force when passing over warmer waters. Al Gore emphasises that our impact on the environment is already worsening 'natural' disasters and predicts further convergences between social and 'natural' crises in the near future. These will include more drought, leading to wars over water resources; mass migration stemming from the breakdown of ecosystems; more diseases as global temperatures increase. Ecology knocked off balance One of Gore's examples, from Holland, shows how ecological systems are being knocked out of balance: the peak in numbers of caterpillars no longer occurs at the same time as the hatching of young birds which depend on them for food. Changes we might deem small and can see happening closer to home are symptomatic of larger effects. Most of the film provides an internationalist outlook on climate change, giving coverage to much poorer regions such as India and Africa, but Gore's main point here seems to be that faraway catastrophes will threaten the living conditions of US citizens. Gore does however make a point of stating that the US in particular should, 'prepare for other threats besides terrorists'. Population growth is discussed in the film but I feel that Gore takes the wrong approach. It is true that dependency on non-renewable resources has increased with population growth but the carbon footprint of an inhabitant of India, Africa, even China, is still much less than that of a Westerner. One main problem that he does not address in his analysis is the uneven distribution and use of current resources, the result of a world dominated by imperialism. Moreover, China's industrial growth is based on 28 REVIEW a harmful capitalist economic model, rather than on democratic planning. Gore's targeting of China led me to wonder whether the US will try to impede China's industrial growth, under the guise of concern about climate change. To be fair, he does stress that the first task of the US should be to minimize its own huge impact on the environment and in so doing give leadership to the rest of the world. The heroic figure The personal touches he adds to the film, where he remembers his upbringing and reflects on his presidential campaign, all serve to portray a heroic figure, still driven by the American Dream. Gore does come across as genuine and he clearly has a passion for his campaign. His travels to study the subject, as well as his programs of lectures all over the world, show this. As an informational tool this film does highlight the need to act, but the necessity of larger scale solutions is not drawn out. What it gives are limited and individualistic solutions to the global crisis, such as checking your tyres and turning down the air conditioning. Practical suggestions are not made by Gore in the film, but follow in the form of text just before the credits, when most of the audience will be walking out. He does not conclude by urging us to join The film puts more emphasis on humanitarian concepts rather than politics. Its often simplistic manner nevertheless helps to keep it broad and to engage as many people as possible in the discussion. To an extent this is a good thing but trying to encourage action against governments is a much more difficult task, one which he does not address. Nevertheless, ecosocialists will be able to use Gore's film to encourage debate about the kind of alternatives we need to propose.
Socialist Resistance Day School 24 March, University of London Union The Middle East War, Imperialism, Ecology and Resistance Eva J, Tikva (Iraq Occupation Focus), Gilbert Achcar, Roland Rance (Socialist Resistance), Tony Richardson * SOCIALIST SOCIALIST SULOOK SELLARM RELION MATERIALISIM PLUS: FRAL SON AND THE MEDOLE E Issue 6: Issue 5: The Limitis G8, Privatisation, War to Empire Make cheques payable to Socialist Outlook. Send to P.O. Box 1109, N4 2UU, London, UK. NTERNAȚIONAL,R. VIET YPOINTE H47+r Plenary 1 Workshops 1 Women and resistance • Plenary 2 (International Solidarity Movement) Subscription & Back Issues LHE WAR COMES TO OUTLOOK LONDON RAG AFTER THE ELECTIONS, SRI LI Issue 7: The War comes to London Subscription is for four issues including package and postage Gilbert Achcar (author), Phil Hearse (Socialist Resistance) Tikva Honig-Parnass from Between the Lines in Jerusalem Climate change and resource wars. Why does the US support the Israeli state? GLESAL RATH CAPITALISIM & CUR FONDNE PC INTERVIEW WITH GILBERT ACHCAR THE RISE OF CHINA • REVIEWO Issue 8: Global warming, Capitalism & our future News and analysis from the Fourth International New - updated - website A window to radical alternatives world-wide, carrying reports, analysis and debates from all corners of the globe. Correspondents in over 50 countries report on popular struggles, and the debates that are shaping the left of tomorrow. International Viewpoint - online at www.internationalviewpoint.org Workshops 2 Land and dispossession • depleted uranium. Solidarity and resistance • PEACE CLEANE UM PALESTINE Issue 9: Latin America, A beacon for the left: UK = £10 Europe = £13 International = £15 Eco-destruction - pollution, arms trade,
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