See this movie

[Image: invtruth]I just got back from watching An Invonvenient Truth. In my book, this is the most important movie you can see right now.

I don’t exactly sit on the fence when it comes to issues of global warming - but I’ve never before seen such a solid presentation of the data, the facts, and the issues at stake.

Up until tonight, I’ve been willing to accept the idea that “global warming” as an issue is not something primarily affected or caused by human activity. It is.

In many ways, it’s a thoroughly depressing film. A lot of it is somewhat introspective, and a lot of it is basically a souped-up version of Gore’s traveling slide-show presentation. But don’t let that fool you - I think he’s toting a very important message.

It frustrates me that it’s an issue of coolness. One of the reasons I think that higher gas prices are the first step in a direction we must go to start taking global warming seriously is that it can never be uncool to want to save money. It’s most certainly uncool to see An Inconvenient Truth.

Why do I care so much? Because this is my lifetime. Everything this movie talks about affects me in very direct ways. I think it’s not only cowardly but also morally negligent to dismiss the dangers ahead of us because they aren’t understood.

I don’t think that anyone who really looks at the data and the existing trends in environmental data and real world tangible effects of climate change can seriously discount global warming. And if you go that far, then it becomes a matter of laziness, obstinance, and childish politics that prevents you from actively helping to reverse the trends.

The movie plays more to liberals than it will to conservatices, but I think it should be seen by everyone. If you don’t believe me, ask Roger Ebert.