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A decade after “An Inconvenient Truth” brought climate change into the heart of popular culture comes the follow-up that shows just how close we are to a real energy revolution.
I am not one of those people who knows an awful lot about climate change and global warming. I know enough to understand what it is all about as I like to stay up-to-the-minute on current events, including these subject matters because let’s be honest, if we don’t take care of our planet, there won’t be anything left to take care of. When “An Inconvenient Truth” came out in 2006, it was a watershed moment, here was a documentary that was written and presented by former U.S. Vice President Al Gore and because of his involvement, the film was able to reach wider audiences and the movie won two Oscars. You would think its message was heard loud and clear around the world, right? Wrong. Just like the recent tragic shootings in Las Vegas, Hurricanes Harvey & Irma, and the wildfires in California, they dominated news headlines for a period of time but once they subsided and were over with, while all tragic, the world continued to rotate and everyone moved on with their lives.
The same can be said for “An Inconvenient Truth.” It brought to light, exactly how our planet is succumbing to the harmful effects of global warming and how each and every one of us is responsible but after people left the theaters and got on with their lives, the movie became inconsequential. Working, raising a family, paying taxes, things we all have to deal with on a daily basis were first and foremost in our lives and while I understand this objective completely, I think it’s fundamental that we all keep informed. With “An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power,” Al Gore returns as he continues the fight for fresh air for the entire planet and renewable energy resources. Say what you will about Mr. Gore as a politician but as an avid environmentalist, he is out there fighting for our rights, whether we like it or not because, in this day and age, there is no room for ignorance.
The essential aspect of global warming, is mankind. As we continue to burn fossil fuels like coal and oil, it increases the concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide and this, along with the combustion of fossil fuels in cars, factories and electricity production, means that we are helping to heat up the planet, hence, global warming. This has been common knowledge for many years and Al Gore shone a very bright light on it with “An Inconvenient Truth,” and a lot of people, especially within the government, didn’t appreciate it. This time around, we follow Mr. Gore as he travels around the world meeting developing countries like India, and then onto Greenland, where we see, firsthand, the dangerous effects global warming is having on its glaciers. While in India, Mr. Gore tries to reason with the government into trying renewable power, such as solar, but is met with defiance as they state that coal is much cheaper and they will continue to use it, regardless of the deadly effects it has on their people and the constant smog that covers cities like Delhi. In an article written by the New York Times on November 7, 2016, it stated that contaminating particulates in the air in the Indian capital had “soared in some places to…more than 16 times the limit India’s government considers safe.”
The last act of the movie takes place in Paris, France, as Mr. Gore and 195 UNFCCC members from around the world attend the Paris Accord in 2015 with the intention of the world coming together to help reduce harmful emissions. Throughout the film, we watch as Mr. Gore tries everything he can to try and help India get on the renewable power bandwagon and he eventually succeeds after talking to the owner of SolarCity, headquartered in San Mateo, California, who agrees to help them with their plans. While India did not agree to cap emissions, it did give its assurance to bulk up on renewable power and reduce emissions. Earlier this year after Donald Trump became President, he announced his intention to withdraw the U.S. from the agreement, causing much concern from the other countries still involved, and by Mr. Gore himself. He states that over the years, as he fought for cleaner air for the planet, he hit many speed bumps along the way, and that Trump is just another obstacle to overcome.
Trump reminds me of that cartoonish buffoon of a vice president in the movie “The Day After Tomorrow,” who downplays everything Dennis Quaid’s scientist character tries to inform him of, and with mounting evidence, he still chooses to believe that everyone else is wrong, and he is right. In the end, they all pay the price. “An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power” is one of those documentaries that should be mandatory viewing for young children in schools everywhere. At least that way, as they grow and mature, they will have a much better understanding of our planet and what needs to be done in order to keep it beautiful. After watching it myself, I couldn’t agree more.
Now available on Digital HD and on Blu-ray & DVD Tuesday, October 24th
