An Inconvenient Truth

I was told to come to this site and read the discussion that has been going on. I am one of the people who put this event together. After reading I felt inclined to reply specifically to BeachSteeler. I am sorry for your anger. After reading your messages it is very clear to me that you are very angry about something, though I really doubt it is the event that we have put together. I would encourage you to stop, take a breath, and watch the film before you continue to write about it. The reality of the situation is that the economy is going green. Some of the biggest corporations are spending a great deal of time and money to move in this direction, of their own free will. Wal Mart is a perfect example, and I personally doubt they are moving in this direction because they care about the environment. I believe they are doing so because they are able to see what is coming and want to profit from it as much as possible. The southeast is one of the last places in the country to really embrace the reality of our situation. You are obviously very intelligent and well read. I agree with some of your points and could argue others as skillfully as you have presented them, but that would be pointless. What isn't pointless is the fact that both you and I want to be comfortable in this world we live in. In order to do this we all have to change. I am just as guilty as the next person about being a "wasteful" American. I could sit here and argue that I am less wasteful than others, but the point remains "I am wasteful. "Green" is beneficial to everyone whether you care about the environment or not. Learning to live green is learning to save a considerable amount of money by reducing your waste. Everyone wins. Those who could care less about the environment will have more money, and those who do care about the environment will have cleaner healthier communities. Our event is not about politics. It is simply an opportunity to come together as a community and discuss a path to a better future. To everyone out there: Our society is going green whether we like it or not. It may seem slow at first, but one thing is for certain, you can either take part or be left behind. I wish everyone the best and hope to see you at the event, especially BeachSteeler (I admire your passion).

I was told to come to this site and read the discussion that has been going on. I am one of the people who put this event together. After reading I felt inclined to reply specifically to BeachSteeler. I am sorry for your anger. After reading your messages it is very clear to me that you are very angry about something, though I really doubt it is the event that we have put together. I would encourage you to stop, take a breath, and watch the film before you continue to write about it. The reality of the situation is that the economy is going green. Some of the biggest corporations are spending a great deal of time and money to move in this direction, of their own free will. Wal Mart is a perfect example, and I personally doubt they are moving in this direction because they care about the environment. I believe they are doing so because they are able to see what is coming and want to profit from it as much as possible. The southeast is one of the last places in the country to really embrace the reality of our situation. You are obviously very intelligent and well read. I agree with some of your points and could argue others as skillfully as you have presented them, but that would be pointless. What isn't pointless is the fact that both you and I want to be comfortable in this world we live in. In order to do this we all have to change. I am just as guilty as the next person about being a "wasteful" American. I could sit here and argue that I am less wasteful than others, but the point remains "I am wasteful. "Green" is beneficial to everyone whether you care about the environment or not. Learning to live green is learning to save a considerable amount of money by reducing your waste. Everyone wins. Those who could care less about the environment will have more money, and those who do care about the environment will have cleaner healthier communities. Our event is not about politics. It is simply an opportunity to come together as a community and discuss a path to a better future. To everyone out there: Our society is going green whether we like it or not. It may seem slow at first, but one thing is for certain, you can either take part or be left behind. I wish everyone the best and hope to see you at the event, especially BeachSteeler (I admire your passion).

:bow: Well put. No good deed goes unpunished!

BTW,
:welcome: A Zalace

Good response A Zalace and I hope you have a good turnout for the movie. I wish I could be there.

It seems you dont play well with others.

I would be there but I can't. I'm not against discussions on being green. We need more of it but my point to ALL is Don't believe everything you see and hear. Become a conscience being. I don't need a Mr. Moore/ Gore Movie to help me be a better responsible person. It's their hypocrisy I feel I must point out ( private jets being an easy example).
I'm as sure we're killing this planet as I'm sure we live in a dynamic universe. Global warming occurs naturally as global cooling. We can do plenty to limit our impact but we don't. Beacause ,as I see it, as a society we're too fat and lazy to care.
Our politicains are getting fat and rich from corporate lobbyists while we suffer for it. I'm awful tired of hearing politicians and Hollywood tell us whats best. And too many people eat it up like it's a value meal. Best selling Mag in America...People. Genius. They want us to be stupid,fat and lazy. Too many of US lie,cheat,steal our way through life. Ouch the truth hurts. But I'm attacked for pointing out the obvious. I'm certainly not sorry for pointing it out either. We can't handle the Truth. We need a Conveinent Solution cause that's what our lives have become about Conveinence.
Be it W., Hillary,Gore,Moore or whomever, they are a fraud.Public service is gone. Congress could do something for us all but never will. Give back their lifetime pensions. Vote themselves a reduction in pay. But no way they will cause it's about them. Not you or me or whats best for the best country in the World.
Until then I will be somewhat angry and cynical. Otherwise I'd be unconscience.
Peace and again just stirring the Pudding.

Just a point of clarification, Mr. Moore is not associated with An Inconvenient Truth

The problem I see with this particular type of movie is the lack of a presentation of the opposite view which still exists in the scientific comunity. Consider the movie by Oliver Stone, JFK, which made up it's own facts based on the application of "artistic license" and being exposed as such. That film is still the foundation for the belief by most Americans, according to various polls, that JFK was assasinated via conspiracy and not by Oswald. Yet if you ask anyone of those who believe this conspiracy theory if they have ever read the Warren Commision report you usually get a befuddled look. Point being that a theatrical presentation will always trump any detailed research or opposing view points that need to be explored before making such a conclusion.

Do a search of Global Cooling and you will find opinions, charts etc that have presented this opposite point of view in the past. I wish I could locate the Time and Newsweek articles from the 1970s that discussed Global Cooling being the paramount climate problem of the time. This link mentions this "old theory" briefly: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15391426/site/newsweek/

The question one needs to ask is how can scientists from one era be completely at odds with the latest point of view. Were they completely wrong then or now or is the answer somewhere in between?

I will see the movie someday, but I plan to look at it with a great deal of skepticism, as it is a Hollywood presentation, which we know generally distorts facts for effect and the lack of credibility by the presenter (Al Gore who has made up some off the wall fabricated nonsense in the past--Did I say I invented the Internet? )

I will see the movie someday, but I plan to look at it with a great deal of skepticism, as it is a Hollywood presentation, which we know generally distorts facts for effect and the lack of credibility by the presenter (Al Gore who has made up some off the wall fabricated nonsense in the past--Did I say I invented the Internet? )[/QUOTE]

Not sure how to do the quote thing - sorry.

For Seacliffs and BeachSteelers and others of the Global Warming skeptical camp, I want to urge you to give Al Gore a small break. I'm pretty much with you most of the time. The man is stiff, preachy and was a terrible presidential candidate - but I don't think he is a liar. Check out what the urban legends site Scopes.com says about the alleged "I invented the internet" quote.

http://www.snopes.com/quotes/internet.asp

Al Gore, for all his imperfections, does not deserve to be bunched with Oliver Stone and Michael Moore. Either of them would have made the movie much more entertaining (and slanted).

In fact I found "An Inconvenient Truth" rather tedious - I couldn't watch the whole thing. But the FACTS presented are hard to ignore. My kids checked it out at Blockbuster and sat me down. Be open-minded.

Best to all.

I will see the movie someday, but I plan to look at it with a great deal of skepticism, as it is a Hollywood presentation, which we know generally distorts facts for effect and the lack of credibility by the presenter (Al Gore who has made up some off the wall fabricated nonsense in the past--Did I say I invented the Internet? )

Not sure how to do the quote thing - sorry.

For Seacliffs and BeachSteelers and others of the Global Warming skeptical camp, I want to urge you to give Al Gore a small break. I'm pretty much with you most of the time. The man is stiff, preachy and was a terrible presidential candidate - but I don't think he is a liar. Check out what the urban legends site Scopes.com says about the alleged "I invented the internet" quote.

http://www.snopes.com/quotes/internet.asp

Al Gore, for all his imperfections, does not deserve to be bunched with Oliver Stone and Michael Moore. Either of them would have made the movie much more entertaining (and slanted).

In fact I found "An Inconvenient Truth" rather tedious - I couldn't watch the whole thing. But the FACTS presented are hard to ignore. My kids checked it out at Blockbuster and sat me down. Be open-minded.

Best to all.[/quote]


Very well put Searcher. Hard for any of "us" to judge something we have not even seen.

I saw it when it premiered at the barely reopened Canal Place Theatre in New Orleans. Maybe it was the crowd, but I found it remarkably moving. Watching that movie, in that city, at that time was an experience I'll never forget.

The movie didn't really seem offer up a lot of opinion...it was fact, backed up by scientific evidence. My brother, a geologist who is conservative and works for a big oil company, even vouched for the authenticity of ice core sampling. As he put it, no objective scientists really doubt global warming at this point.

Al Gore is an easy target, but maybe it would be more productive to use some of this energy to scour the internet looking for academic/scientific information that debunks his points about CO2 levels, the effect of CO2 levels on the temperture of the Earth, and the effects of increased temperatures on weather patterns. And as for private jets, he makes a point about buying carbon credits to offset the travel he does giving the lecture.

Seriously, even the current administration is now admitting global warming exists and that consequently polar bears are now a threatened species.

"For Seacliffs and BeachSteelers and others of the Global Warming skeptical camp, I want to urge you to give Al Gore a small break. I'm pretty much with you most of the time. The man is stiff, preachy and was a terrible presidential candidate - but I don't think he is a liar. Check out what the urban legends site Scopes.com says about the alleged "I invented the internet" quote.

http://www.snopes.com/quotes/internet.asp

Al Gore, for all his imperfections, does not deserve to be bunched with Oliver Stone and Michael Moore. Either of them would have made the movie much more entertaining (and slanted)."

OK so Gore said he helped to "create" the internet! Snopes tries to claim this is "Urban legend" by jousting with the semantics (he said "create" not "invent" so it is not the same--Huh?) I would not call him a liar, but I would say he is one prone to exageration, which I suppose most politicians can be accused of to support their agendas. I think it is a good idea to see the movie to hear it's point of view and weigh the evidence. At the same time, I will continue to look into the opposing point of views of other scientist who say we are in a period of Global cooling or that any climate change is natural and not man made. That said, I will remain skeptical and not follow the herd.

it is not a new concept that someone with an agenda will use their data/research to get their desired effect. this has been seen in books and papers presented for years. highlighting positive data and minimalizing or ommitting unfavorable/opposing data is what research grants are made of. there are papers/books out there claiming the holocaust did not happen, and you need to actively look for information regarding the Japanese internment. it's not mentioned in any history books i've read.

to be as educated as possible is what makes our decisions easier, and that includes knowledge of opposing points of view. i don't care if those who don't want to see the movie for whatever reason, will ever see it.

Seacliffes, i look forward to any research you can offer regarding global cooling that is current.

Glad I can spur some debate. My goal is being fulfilled.I never meant to attack this event. I think it will be beneficial and wish I could go. I'm back to attacking Beachclubs now. Peace.

Diane Rehm's show today was on global warming. You can listen to it on NPR.org.

Any more proof needed?😀

.

http://www.usatoday.com/weather/climate/2007-01-09-warmest-year_x.htm

TOP 10 WARMEST YEARS IN U.S. HISTORY

Rank Year Average temperature (F)
1. 2006 55.01
2. 1998 54.94
3. 1934 54.91
4. 1999 54.53
5. 1921 54.49
6. 1931 54.34
7. 1990 54.24
8. 2001 54.23
9. 1953 54.18
10. 1954 54.13

Source: National Climatic Data Center

By Patrick O'Driscoll, USA TODAY
DENVER ? Last summer's deadly heat wave and a balmy December helped make 2006 the warmest year ever recorded in the USA, federal climate officials announced Tuesday.

The National Climatic Data Center says factors include the El Ni?o climate pattern and "the long-term warming trend" of climate change, due in part to greenhouse gases. The center says drought in the Plains and parts of the West also played a role. Wildfire agencies say warmth helped make it the worst wildfire season ever, with 9.8 million acres burned.

"There's no denying that climate change is occurring, and warmer winters and warmer years are more common for that reason," says Jay Lawrimore, monitoring chief for the center, which keeps the nation's weather records. "What we're seeing (in 2006) is just becoming so much more common."

New York City, still without snow this winter, last week broke a 129-year record for latest date for the first snowfall. In the Northeast, ski resorts report little snow and temperatures too warm to make artificial snow.

Temperatures were above normal even in Colorado, where major snowstorms before Christmas and New Year's paralyzed Denver and socked the Great Plains. The city's average reading for December was still 1.4 degrees warmer than usual.

A side benefit: Residential energy demand for heating was 13.5% lower than normal for October through December, the center said.

An average national temperature of 55.01 degrees pushed 2006 past 1998 as the warmest on record. Fifteen of the years since 1981 rank among the 25 warmest since national record-keeping began in 1895.

The climate center says the current El Ni?o, the periodic warming of Pacific waters, is the biggest factor for 2006, and global warming is "a contributing factor." This is believed to be the first time the annual temperature report mentions climate change as a cause.

It was the warmest year ever in New Jersey, and five states had their warmest December ? Connecticut, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont.

During last summer's heat wave, record highs from South Dakota across the Plains taxed water supplies for crops and livestock. Heat was blamed for at least 140 deaths in California.

The year's warmth wasn't just about extreme highs. Lawrimore says more than 40% of the USA had higher-than-average overnight lows last summer, compared with 10% in a typical year. Daily records for the highest overnight low were tied or broken more than 3,000 times last summer in hundreds of cities and towns, especially in the West. About 100 locations recorded their all-time highest lows for any date, from 88 in Cedar Butte, S.D., to 102 in Death Valley, Calif.

I just have 2 comments to add to this already exhasuting thread.

It's great to see there is a large group of people in our county that are starting to come together regarding the sustainability of our future here.

...and for those seeking more information, I read the Energy Bulletin everyday, which covers blogs, essays and latest news from sources all over the world regarding sustainability, peak oil, global warming, alternative fuels, etc. It links to reviews of the CERA report, the Hirsch report, supporting and opposing views. I have found it to be the most comprehensive source for trying to make some sense of these issues.

I've seen An Inconvenient Truth and I believe it's delivery is well done to reach the masses, though I strongly urge everyone to dig deeper, for your own knowledge. I'm more interested in what AEC & WM have to say as well as connecting with other people in the community. Sorry I'll miss it, I'm out of town. Best to all!

Here's the link for the Energy Bulletin: http://www.energybulletin.net/

Will be being shown at Gulfplace on Jan. 11 at 6:30. Press release below.

Please join us 6:30 pm, Thursday, January 11th, 2007 on the lawn at Gulf Place for a community gathering to discuss environmental issues in Walton County. Bring your own seating and blankets as the event will be outside. Gulf Place lawn is located on the corner of Scenic Hwy 30-A and S. County Road 393 behind frontage buildings.

Enjoyed the event tonight - a little chilly, but Amore Pizza warmed us up after the movie. I'm curious how many other SoWal members were there ......?
___________________________________

i was there. it was a little breezy and cold toward the end of the movie. and, of course, after the event, the wind all but stopped. nice turnout for a first time, grassroots event. great info out there at the tables, and great food too.

thanks to those who donated their time and energy to bring this about, and especially the reps from AEC and WM. good talks afterward.

I was there. the turnout was great, around 200. the weather got a bit chilly but most hung in until the end of the movie. WM and AEC both shared good information:

AEC provides what the people want, cheap power. AEC is slowly introducing green forms of energy which cost an additional $2 a month to opt into (methane emissions from landfill purchased from waste management). As the people begin opting into programs AEC will continue to introduce more options and the tables will slowly turn toward green energy.

WM: Walton county will have home pick-up recycling by the end of 2007.

For more information please contact CHELCO or WM, or if your looking for one of the speakers drop a line and I will connect you to them.

The other guests that set up tables had a tremendous amount of information to share from their friendly booths...and For the Health of It had a great spread of warm food and tea...a list of participating guests and contact information to follow.

Thanks to everyone who shared the effort and energy to make this happen, a true community event.

peace

Enjoyed the event tonight - a little chilly, but Amore Pizza warmed us up after the movie. I'm curious how many other SoWal members were there ......?
___________________________________

Bdarg and Will attended, but we decided Kate would get a bit antsy at age 5, so the gals stayed behind. Both said it was excellent- the movie and speakers after.

We felt like it was important for Will to attend this event- since he is the future generation. He said there were just a few other kids (more high school age). :( This event would have been a great "extra credit" opportunity if teachers had "glommed on" to it.

Kylie (12 years old) and I went. She does get extra credit in her science class for attending and writing a summary and opinion. They gave the website www.climatecrisis.com in the movie for more info. It has a lot of great info, especially on what we can do to help reduce global warming. Interesting that on our thread of what we would like in South Walton, the need of Farmer's markets, produce stands, if we purchase locally that is a small thing but saves on expenses of transporting the produce. Maybe in our park we want to do, we can start a community garden!

Kylie (12 years old) and I went. She does get extra credit in her science class for attending and writing a summary and opinion. They gave the website www.climatecrisis.com in the movie for more info. It has a lot of great info, especially on what we can do to help reduce global warming. Interesting that on our thread of what we would like in South Walton, the need of Farmer's markets, produce stands, if we purchase locally that is a small thing but saves on expenses of transporting the produce. Maybe in our park we want to do, we can start a community garden!

Were there many kids from Kylie's class? :clap_1: to her science teacher!

Kylie (12 years old) and I went. She does get extra credit in her science class for attending and writing a summary and opinion. They gave the website www.climatecrisis.com in the movie for more info. It has a lot of great info, especially on what we can do to help reduce global warming. Interesting that on our thread of what we would like in South Walton, the need of Farmer's markets, produce stands, if we purchase locally that is a small thing but saves on expenses of transporting the produce. Maybe in our park we want to do, we can start a community garden!

Edible parks do exist. A guy I met when living in Asheville designed them for communities and towns.