An Inconvenient Sequel: the Book and the Movie

by Sunfire Kazmayer
Easton Meeting

 

In 2006 Rodale Press published Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth: The Planetary Emergency of Global Warming and What We Can Do About It. In that same year, Gore’s movie, “An Inconvenient Truth: A Global Warning”, premiered—showing the world the possibilities of floods, droughts, and other climate related catastrophes, all brought on by human activities that produced planet-warming greenhouse gasses.

 

Early last year (2017) Rodale Press published Gore’s An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power, and a movie with the same name premiered in August of that year. The movie gives a backstage look at Gore’s fight to solve the climate crisis. It starts with a video of melting polar ice sheets with a voice-over of criticisms of “An Inconvenient Truth” from climate-change deniers. The movie ends with the Paris Accord and the setback when a reactionary President withdrew the United States from that accord.

 

The book does not have the personal focus of the movie. The first of two parts covers the scientific evidence for climate change. It treats in depth the catastrophes covered in the movie, adds references to other events, and includes accounts of women and men working to combat climate change. The second part discusses actions to mitigate and possibly reverse climate change. We are encouraged and given suggestions on how to:

  • Be an Involved Citizen
  • Speak at a Town Hall Meeting or Forum
  • Write about Climate Effectively
  • Start a Petition
  • Establish Yourself as a Climate Activist Online
  • Magnify Your Impact with Press Coverage
  • Talk to Children About Climate Change
  • Talk with Climate Deniers
  • Find a Career in Renewable Energy
  • Make Your Business More Sustainable
  • Run for Office
  • Walk the Walk
  • Eat with the Planet in Mind
  • Vote with Your Dollars
  • Create and Host Events
  • Become a Climate Reality Leader
  • Give Your Own Climate Change Presentation

 

To my way of thinking, the movie is best seen as an introduction to the book. I wish that every Friend would read this book, especially focusing on the second part. All Friends are probably already doing some of the actions Gore proposes. But let us each ask, “What additional leadings do I have about implementing actions in this book?”

 

The movie is now available to NYYM’s meetings and committees as part of a new DVD lending library sponsored by our Earthcare Working Group. Check out nyym.org/content/earthcare-working-group-lending-library.