An Inconvenient Truth - A Call to Action

by Vince Patton

(This reflection is also posted at www.theThoughtfulChristian.blogspot.com, the blog site for the new online ecumenical resource center, The Thoughtful Christian, www.theThoughtfulChristian.com. The Thoughtful Christian is an innovative education program that contains downloadable studies in five major categories: Bible and theology, spirituality, Christian living, contemporary issues, and religion and popular culture. For more information about this program, go to www.theThoughtfulChristian.com.)

In the early moments of An Inconvenient Truth, Al Gore walks onto a stage at a college campus and introduces himself as the “ex-next President of the United States.” His clever introduction elicited laughter from the audience and revealed a surprisingly engaging side to the ex-Vice President. The Al Gore that is presented in this extraordinary documentary about global warming is a far cry from the stiff and sometimes surly Democratic candidate who huffed and puffed after almost every word uttered by George W. Bush during two Presidential debates in 2000. Here Gore exudes confidence and knowledge about global warming without being arrogant and concern for the well-being of the planet and its inhabitants without being gleeful that many of his predictions are coming true. The facts he presents and the charts he uses to support them are as convincing as anything the politician has asserted since his emergence as a major political figure more than two decades ago.

During its one hour and forty-seven minute running time, the film features highlights of Gore’s lectures on global warming interspersed with the former politician’s reflections on his personal life. Global warming is clearly a passion for the former politician. An Inconvenient Truth traces Gore’s fascination with global warming back to his days in college and even includes footage of his appearance before Congress as a young politician advocating for things championed by several leading scientists and environmentalists.

In one of the more memorable parts of Gore’s presentations, he charts the gradual rise in temperatures each year. All of us remember the heat from last summer and are struggling to survive this summer’s stifling temperatures, and few of us would argue with Gore that 2005 was in fact the warmest year on the planet. In addition, he effectively demonstrates how some of the world’s largest ice caps have begun to melt and how it appears likely that this trend will continue.

A lesser film might have concentrated more solely on a scientific investigation and explication of global warming. But the film delicately explores Gore’s thoughts on some of the most personal aspects of his life and draws parallels between the life lessons he learned during these times and what we can learn about caring for the land with which God has blessed us. Gore recalls almost losing his six-year-old son and how that experience reminded him not to take for granted those things he thought he would always have or else he might ultimately lose the things that he holds most dear. He explains that we are, in fact, risking losing the land that we hold so dear when we continue to drive the cars we do, rely on oil the way we do, refuse to take steps to dramatically reduce carbon emissions, and fail to seek alternative sources of energy. In addition, he reflects upon the death of his sister to lung cancer and his support of the concerted effort of grass-root coalitions and eventually the U.S. government to dramatically reduce the number of smokers and thus the number of deaths that can be attributed to it. Then the former politician concludes that a similar effort must be undertaken to address the moral issue of global warming and demonstrates his unwavering determination to remain a major figure in the discussions on global warming and the environment.

Gore contends that the film is not political. But its reception and its coverage in the media might be. Approximately five years ago, well-respected political commentator George Will sat across from Washington This Week host George Stephanopholous and declared that global warming was one of the biggest scientific hoaxes in many, many years. Just a few weeks ago the former Vice President appeared on the same show shortly after the limited release of his film and fended off questions from Stephanopholous, who challenged him on several of the figures he quoted in the film. In addition, a number of scientists have spoken out in opposition to the theories espoused by the former politician in An Inconvenient Truth. Many of the scientists who doubt the data that Gore cites have accused him of relying on “junk science” and failing to consult “true climate experts,” who they believe have the knowledge necessary to explain the causes of global climate change.

The criticisms may be scientifically valid, but are any criticisms of the film’s messages of care for the earth and good use of natural resources biblically and theologically valid? As people of faith, we are called to let our voices be heard in service to God and all that God has created. The Book of Genesis informs us of God’s call for us to be caretakers of the earth and lays out for us God’s covenant with Noah and presumably all future generations. And Psalms 24:1 reminds us, “The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it.” Al Gore is essentially asking us as a people to respond to this charge. Al Gore and his family left the Southern Baptist Convention, but his proclamations for love and care for God’s land couldn’t be delivered with any more zeal. Gore’s and the filmmakers’ motives for making the film appear to be above reproach. Reportedly, Al Gore will donate all of the money he earns from the movie to the Alliance for Climate Protection. In addition, the producers and directors of the film agreed to lower salaries, and Melissa Ethridge wrote the film’s original song for free. Paramount Vantage, the movie studio, is even pledging 5 percent of the film’s gross domestic sales to the Alliance for Climate Protection.

Although the film has been discussed on The O’Reilly Factor and The Michael Medved Show, it hasn’t been blasted by the conservative media, many of whom flocked to early screenings in search of ammunition in case the politician decides to run for the Presidency in 2008 (As of this writing, Al Gore has still not ruled out the possibility of running). The relative silence of the conservative media may speak volumes about the film’s impact on the non-scientific community and its ability to register with viewers from all across the political spectrum and to rally concerned Christians who have long been searching for ways to turn the country’s attention to environmental issues.

An Inconvenient Truth has emerged from this summer’s largely lackluster fare as the most talked-about film of the season. The film has already moved past the critically-acclaimed Hoop Dreams and Super Size Me to become the fourth-highest grossing non-concert documentary of all time and is close to overtaking Michael Moore’s Bowling for Columbine, the third-highest grossing documentary. Reaching across political party lines, it’s also among the smartest advocacy films in recent years. During its closing credits, the film creatively promotes the web site, www.climatecrisis.net and lists ten action steps that any concerned individual and certainly any “thoughtful Christian” should be compelled to follow. The film also concludes with an African proverb that reads, “When you pray, move your feet,” which is another nudge for viewers to not only think about what they have witnessed but to make a commitment to act. As the film’s title suggests, the film lays out what it believes to be scientific truths that are just as inconvenient to accept as they are to address. At its core An Inconvenient Call is a prophetic call for us all to assume the roles as stewards and caregivers that God has given us and to work together as the diverse body of God’s people to use our natural resources wisely to ensure the safety and the future of the land God has bestowed upon us.