Since I’m not a movie critic, I don’t have to write a proper review (for proper reviews of An Inconvenient Truth, read imdb or The New York Times). So, to begin, here’s a plot spoiler: We are causing global warming at an unprecedented rate and, unless we do something about it, we are screwed. I don’t put it as eloquently or with the same touch of humour as Al Gore does, but that’s the gist of it.

Gore must be doing something right in this movie. What other (ex?)politician could make thousands of people hand over cash to sit down and listen to him speak on one topic for 100 minutes? Perhaps it’s a reflection of the relevance and scale of the problem that he describes.

Communicating global warming is not easy. The first challenge is to communicate the enormity of the problem while not losing people in the ocean of related statistics. The second challenge is to simplify facts without distorting the truths involved. The third is to motivate people: to tell people that each of us is causing global warming and that everyone can stop it. And the fourth challenge - for Al Gore, at least - is to come out of it looking good. He does a pretty good job on each count.  

An Inconvenient Truth is a focussed account of global warming. Gore doesn’t spend excessive time ridiculing the climate change denial lobby. He doesn’t get distracted by detail. He makes some effective analogies, such as the development of people’s understanding of the effects of smoking and our understanding of the effects of burning fossil fuels. He presents an accessible and plainly factual account of global warming and sets it in a global and historical context; and to stop people leaving the cinema in a “We’re fucked!!!” frame of mind, he makes some positive suggestions on how we can begin to avert catastrophic climate change.

The movie is by no means flawless. Gore spends too little time on the complementary nature of economic success and environmental protection; he doesn’t get into air travel as a contributor to global emissions; and his account leaves one with the suspicion that his political and personal record is painted greener than it is. In addition, one of the partial solutions that he describes “carbon sequesterisation” already seems to be problematic.

Importantly, his touch of humour makes bearable an otherwise depressing topic. It’s not as determinedly ironic as Michael Moore’s efforts on other issues, but that too is a strength: it makes his story appear more credible.

At its worst, An Inconvenient Truth will be the most gripping Powerpoint presentation you’ve ever sat through. At its best, it will persuade people that serious action to limit emissions and change the way we use energy is long overdue. This truth is not convenient, but it’s essential viewing as we enter, in the words of Churchill, “a period of consequence”.

An Inconvenient Truth will be released in Ireland on 8 September 2006.

Watch the trailer.

TCAL on An Inconvenient Truth.
TCAL on global warming.
TCAL on climate change.