An Inconvenient Truth

I chose to delve into more of the political aspects of pro-global warming believers, and who better to research than Al Gore. I decided to check out his website, knowing he's been a strong voice of global warming, and just browse around through the information he has on his site, along with looking at some of the links and other global warming related projects that are listed. The link that caught my attention the most, however, was "An Inconvenient Truth." I had heard about and seen clips from this film before, but had never checked out its website. Here's the link: http://www.climatecrisis.net/climate-change.php

As if the website title alone couldn't be more obvious as to how one-sided all of the information I would receive, just reading the links at the top of the website: "The Evidence," "An Inconvenient Truth," "Climate of Change," and "Take Action" are immediate indicators at how deadly serious Al Gore and his team are of convincing the world of our increasingly warming planet.

In a way, this information and the way that it is presented, again turns me off of the idea of global warming. I don't doubt that our climate is changing, has changed in the past (obviously) and will continue to change in the future, but sites like this that just try so hard to make it seem like the information they list are the only possible explanations for the reasons of our climate change that make me just turn on my stubborn button and shut it all out. For example, before clicking the link "The Evidence," I was expecting to get heaps of statistical information, links to case studies, graphs, etc. you know, ACTUAL evidence - but instead was just led to a place with three paragraphs, saying how we've "dramatically increased the amount of carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere and temperatures are rising" because of our incessant burning of fossil fuels. Also, how all of the glaciers are melting, plants and animals have damaged habitats now, and severe storms and droughts are constantly increasing. Information that Peter Evans would claim as "common knowledge." And ironically enough, there were footnotes at the bottom of that page! (Along with pretty pictures).

Clicking around more on the site, everything just links back to joining their blog, tips on how to reduce your carbon footprint, getting involved and becoming an active member, making sure your money is going to the right place, and buying the DVD! I know I shouldn't have expected anything less, from the site, really. Al Gore IS a politician, and he knows how to make a buck here and there, but I can't help but think more about John Kenner and all of his damn anti-global warming facts, and the portrayal of all of the politicians, and the government in general in Crichton's book and just feel like Al Gore & team fit the stereotype perfectly. I know I should know better, and I feel like deep down I do know about the actual effects of the Earth, and what I should believe and discard as rubbish, but when politics gets involved (as they ALWAYS do, *sigh*) I almost instinctively rebel for the feeling that I'm about to get cheated and lied to in some way or another..Damn you Michael Crichton.

Wow, what an utterly bitter post!