DVD Review: "An Inconvenient Truth" (2006)

This sophisticated 90-minute documentary features a relaxed and authentic Al Gore discussing climate change.

Coming into this, my own views on the issue are as follows. While I unconditionally accept that global warming is happening, I'm unsure why, and I'm certainly skeptical of claims that human activity is the main cause of it.

I remain so after viewing "An Inconvenient Truth" mostly because Gore doesn't convincingly demonstrate to me that the correlation between carbon dioxide emissions and an increase in the Earth's atmospheric temperature also equates to causation.

While Gore has certainly done his research, I also think that he makes a number of assertions which I consider to be a little dubious and prevents his case from being bulletproof, which I believe it needs to be on this, a most fundamental issue.

First, he says that the United States permits more carbon dioxide per capita than South America, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa combined. I'm not sold on that point.

Second, he leaves the viewer with the impression that no credible, peer-reviewed scientific research exists which denies that humankind is responsible for global warming. To that, I have two words: cow farts.

Thirdly, he states that China's automobile emission standards are higher than Americas. I'd have to see that for myself to believe it.

Fourth, he suggests that Toyota and Honda are capturing market share from GM and Ford because the Japanese automakers are more environmentalist in their orientation. (I think it might have more to do with issues like productivity, quality and especially ridiculous union contracts which help drive up the price of domestic vehicles, but I wouldn't expect a former Democratic nominee for President to mention that. Besides, you don't become a two-term Vice-President of the United States without knowing how to play the odd game, right?)

And finally, Gore also points out that every advanced nation save for the States and Oz have ratified Kyoto, which, while true, judges countries like India and China by their stated intentions rather than by actual measures taken to reduce pollution. He also didn't happen to mention that the administration in which he was the second in command didn't do a thing to ratify it.

All that said, it's nice to see a politician who isn't constrained by politics to speak frankly and from the heart about an issue without consideration for electoral gain. He also discusses how personal events in his life like the near-death of his son and his sister's battle with cancer caused him to pursue this issue with more vigour than he otherwise would have. If this was the Gore that America saw in 2000, things might be different.

"An Inconvenient Truth" makes for very interesting viewing and is certainly thoughtful without resorting to the sensationalistic.

Recommended for doubters and true believers alike.

Overall rating: 8/10