Critical evaluation of An Inconvenient Truth

¶ … Inconvenient Truth

Greenhouse gases thicken the Earth's atmosphere trapping solar light waves that reach the Earth as a form of radiation. The solar rays are typically good for the planet as it keeps Earth's temperature habitable for life, but the extra levels of heat are warming up the planet. The heighten temperature is causing catastrophes on a global scale. The heat is sucking the moisture out of the land, causing desertification in certain regions, particularly Africa. Other places are experiencing higher levels of moisture and storms; a result of this is Hurricane Katrina.

The Montreal Protocol is treaty that is meant to protect the ozone layer by eliminating chemicals responsible for depleting the ozone layer. It was successful by helping to significantly reduce levels of chlorofluorocarbons and other harmful substances. It is a good example of how the nations of the world can unite for a common goal and institute change on a global scale.

Energy efficiency is using less energy to do the same activities that require energy. If consumers utilize energy efficient products such as light bulbs and appliances, less energy needs to be produced, therefore reducing the overall CO2 levels in the atmosphere. Some other forms of energy efficiency is better insulation for your house, keeping the heat in during winter and helping to keep the house cool during the summer. This efficiency reduces overall energy usage.

Gore conveyed ethos in a number of ways. First, his credibility as a long standing environmental political activist, being an active voice in the Senate and continuing his fight as Vice President of the United States. He also conveys credibility by explaining to the audience that his academic mentors were some of the early pioneers of climate change science. His appeal to the emotional side of the audience is intermittent but clear. He tells his listeners about his past in Oklahoma, where he learned to love nature, and about his sister dying of lung cancer, equating the fight against lung cancer and tobacco to combating climate change. He even mentions polar bears drowning because the ice in the artic is melting, showing an animated polar bear swimming alone in the fast ocean. Finally, the bulk of the documentary is presenting the logos aspect of his argument. He has a clear claim that humans and high levels of CO2 are causing catastrophic climate change and something needs to be done. He presents evidence that the science community does not deny climate change; climate change has political consequences such as the Darfur conflict, drought and heat waves are affecting millions of people, and he uses graphs and data points to back up his claims.

The film is a documentary because it is a nonfictional motion picture that captures a reality for the purpose of instructing the general public. While he does use his Power Point slide as the foundation of his film, it is not the only component. Gore uses clips of his campaign, journey to China, and his moments alone, signifying his tireless advocacy for climate change reform.

Gore did an effective job articulating his argument. He appealed to all sides of his audience, the emotional, the logical, and the ethical. A rational person will agree that dramatic changes to the climate are bad for humanity. Such disasters are happening with more frequency. For example, the drought in California, the consistent debilitating snowfalls affecting the rest of the United States, as well as, Hurricane Sandy are all proof to Gore's claims. Hurricane Sandy actually did submerge lower Manhattan as he depicted in the slides, and destroyed part of New Jersey.