Inconvenient Truth Is a 2006

Inconvenient Truth is a 2006 documentary directed by Davis Guggenheim and featuring former Vice President Al Gore as he attempts to raise social awareness regarding the growing effects, and future consequences, of global warming. The documentary follows former Gore's crusade to raise awareness on the subject through his slideshow presentation on the subject to students and political leaders in the United States and around the world. Through the presentation of scientific information that has been gathered over the past fifty years, and analysis of glacial samples, Gore is able to scientifically argue the impact that the human population has had on the environment within the past twenty years.

Gore's interest in the impact of greenhouse gasses on the environment stems from his days as a college student at Harvard University during which he began to study the issue. His interest in the subject was sparked by a presentation given by one of his professors, Roger Revelle. The presentation inspired Gore to pursue the subject beyond his studies, eventually allowing him to present the matter before various Congressional hearings. Gore was additionally inspired by the tragic loss of his sister who succumbed to lung cancer and nearly losing his son after a car accident (Guggenheim).

Though at times interspersed with comedy to relieve the tension of the subject, Gore approaches the matter very seriously. His presentation is filled with scientific data that has been gathered from various experts around the world; this data has been further compiled to show how and why environmental disasters have risen in number and in severity. Furthermore, Gore demonstrates how current consumer behaviors impact and influence the rise in greenhouse gasses and what steps can be taken in order to reduce emissions that are produced from the consumption of fuels and energy (Guggenheim).

Though Gore presents data in a professional manner, complete with research conducted over fifty years from credible sources, he is met with skepticism among political leaders in Washington, D.C. It may be assumed that skepticism among his political peers has been influenced by the media and Gore refutes the allegations that that the scientific community is split on the matter and therefore Gore's presentation on the matter is propaganda by analyzing peer-reviewed journals and articles, as opposed to articles written by the mass media.

Despite the skepticism initially encountered by his political peers, Gore's efforts have led to the introduction of 15 climate related bills to Congress and the establishment of political offices to further study the subject. President Obama created a the position of Assistant to the President for Climate and Energy while both the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives established a Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming (Climate Crisis). Since the release of An Inconvenient Truth, there have been immediate measurable changes within the public sphere. It is estimated that more than 106,000 tons of carbon were offset a year after the film's release with more than 4,200 tons of carbon being offset by simply switching to compact fluorescent light bulbs (Climate Crisis).