An Inconvenient Truth: A Global Warning

DID YOU KNOW THAT…

We have just ten years to avert a major catastrophe that could send our entire planet into a tail-spin of epic destruction involving extreme weather, floods, droughts, epidemics and killer heat waves beyond anything we have ever experienced.

Data from: www.climatecrisis.net

?

Ten years is not far away at all. Many of us, myself included, dismiss promptings for environmental action because we don’t fully grasp its urgency. We say:

1. it’s never going to affect us directly (we may be a poor country, but we are rich–maybe too rich–in natural resources);
2. there are much more immediate concerns to worry about: money, relationships, work, food, vacations.
3. seems there are enough people worrying about the Earth as it is–better to let those will less problems worry about the environment.

Although it does make sense to contain ourselves in our private little worlds–especially if we need a break from the everyday chaos that is Manila–it IS our business to worry about how our physical world is changing (and for the worse at that).

Example: It’s nearly December and yet almost everyday I hear someone complain about the heat in Manila.

Last week I got invites to the screening of An Inconvenient Truth. After reading up on it tonight, I regret not making the extra effort to attend.

Taglined, “By far the most terrifying film you will ever see,” An Inconvenient Truth is a “passionate” documentary on global warming:

From director Davis Guggenheim comes the Sundance Film Festival hit, AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH, which offers a passionate and inspirational look at one man’s fervent crusade to halt global warming’s deadly progress in its tracks by exposing the myths and misconceptions that surround it. That man is former Vice President Al Gore, who, in the wake of defeat in the 2000 election, re-set the course of his life to focus on a last-ditch, all-out effort to help save the planet from irrevocable change.

…Interspersed with the bracing facts and future predictions is the story of Gore’s personal journey: from an idealistic college student who first saw a massive environmental crisis looming; to a young Senator facing a harrowing family tragedy that altered his perspective, to the man who almost became President but instead returned to the most important cause of his life – convinced that there is still time to make a difference.

Longtime film critic Ebert says:

The truth hurts, but as they say, AIT “is not a story of despair but rather a rallying cry to protect the one earth we all share.” Its message is one of hope–we CAN do something about it, but we must do it NOW:

Supported by WWF Philippines (WorldWideFund for Nature), you can still catch AIT in theaters nationwide, with the latest schedule in Manila, Cebu and Clark as follows:

* Nov 21 (Tuesday) – Press Screening w/ panel, Mall of Asia (c/o WWF)
* Nov 22 to 28 – SM Mall of Asia & SM Megamall
* Nov 29 and Dec 5 -The Block (SM North Edsa) & SM Southmall
* Dec 6 to 12 – SM Fairview & SM Manila
* Dec 13 to 19 – SM Centerpoint & SM San Lazaro
* Dec 20 to 24 – SM Cebu & SM Clark
* Jan 8 onwards – TBA

More on global warming here.