Learning about Global Warming through "An Inconvenient Truth"

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An Inconvenient Truth is a 2006 documentary directed by Davis Guggenheim that depicts Al Gore’s campaign to increase awareness of global warming. I have always heard of global warming, but have never taken the time to look at the available evidence and develop my own opinion. This documentary not only helped me achieve a greater understanding of the causes of global warming, but especially allowed me to comprehend the consequences humans face if nothing is done. The film consists of Al Gore giving a slideshow presentation to an audience with additional scenes that emphasize the impacts and consequences of our actions that have led to global warming. I have known the basic theory behind global warming since grade school, but since I have continued to learn more about the sciences, it is only appropriate to revisit the topic of global warming. Gore opens his presentation by describing how only a few decades ago, it was common knowledge that the continents are so large that they could not possibly move. This assumption prevented the scientific community from pondering the possibility that South America and Africa could have at one time been conjoined despite their respective shapes. Time has passed, and we now accept the conclusion that millions of years ago these massive continents were together as one and at one point split and migrated in opposite directions. Gore claims that we cannot let our assumptions about global warming affect our ability to interpret the evidence that scientific studies have put before us. I wanted to follow suit, and used this opportunity to drop any assumptions that I may have had about global warming; letting the objectivity of scientific observation assist me in forming my own opinions about global w... ... middle of paper ... ...reduce the severity of the impacts of global warming. I was moved by Gore’s powerful presentation, and have great respect for the scientists who have clearly shown me the consequences and potential impacts global warming has and will have on the environment. Global warming is not some simply some theory about greenhouse gasses, but is a statement of fact. Earth’s environment has changed at an alarming pace over the last few decades, and these changes have been measured in an objective manner. Scientific observation is unbiased and objective , and from the small taste of scientific observation that Gore provided in An Inconvenient Truth it is now obvious to me that global warming is a severe and imminent threat. However, it is possible for us the stop the damage. We have the technology to do so, and the responsibility to take care of the only planet we call home.

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