May the truth be with you ...
Just saw "An Inconvenient Truth" at the Manor.
So, what did I think of this film? It is cinematically pleasing - very well made, the direction and cinematography is awesome. Content - I think they/Al did an absolutely FANTASTIC job of making seemingly boring facts and figures most interesting and thought provoking.
Was I terrified at the end? Yes, but Al also makes sure that you don't leave disheartened - he proposes several ways for us to try to reverse what we've started. (see here)
Of the ways listed, here are the ones that are relevant to me:
- use florescent light bulbs - save 150 pounds of CO2 from being released
- walk, carpool, use mass transit - save 1 pound of CO2 for every mile you drive, every gallon of gas you save, is 20 pounds less of CO2.
- turn off electronic devices - this is the most important for me, since I leave my computer on all the time. Not happening anymore.
- PLANT A TREE!!!!!
Everything we care about is dependent on this planet. It's all we have, if we don't take care of it - we will be left with nothing. Dramatic? Maybe, but when it comes down to it - its true. If you think it doesn't effect you think about this - you are able to read this and comprehend it because your body is getting enough oxygen to function. The more CO2 there is, the less oxygen we have. At a higher level, we have been given a great responsibility. We are the protectors of the earth, and all of the creatures that live on it.
The first victims will be those that are not capable of helping themselves. For example, in the North Pole - the floating ice-caps are melting. Polar bears usually swim to go from one to the other - scientists and explorers find more polar bears that have drowned because they have to swim in excess of 60 miles to get to the next polar ice cap. You know the cute Coke commercials they air in the winter time - soon, the polar bear mascots on those commercials will be the only ones that'll exist. That is if we don't do something about it.
I sometimes think that we are immune to the tragedy that is inherent in life in other nations. When the glaciers in the South pole and Greenland melt, water levels will rise 20 feet. San Francisco, Manhattan and half of Florida will be under water if this happens. Remember the tragedy of Katrina? When you saw the pictures, you didn't think that was in the United States. Well we are as prone in this country as any other. Fortunately, we have greater resources to minimize the tragedy. What I'm worried about is countries like India, Bangladesh and China - Calcutta and Dhaka, Beijing and Shanghai - all home to millions of people - will be under water. Scary? Heck yeah.
Even if this was a farce - are the possibilities not monumental enough for us to take a stand? I believe it - I believe this is coming because as human beings we are selfish and ignorant. Its time for us to start thinking about our responsibilities, and act to protect those who cannot protect themselves.
I'm trying to do my part, and I hope that you will too.
The last quote in "The Inconvenient Truth" is an African proverb -
"When you pray, move your feet."
To me, it is profound because it emphasizes the need for action - prayer in itself is inadequate. I don't remember where I read this story - I think it was in a Tom Friedman book - but anyhoo - a man prays every day to win the lottery. He prays constantly, and with good intention (I may be making this up, but its got a point) ... and he is sincere in his request. And then he gets frustrated, why aren't my prayers being answered. Finally, he gets a response - "Al, if you wanna win the lottery, you're gonna have to buy a ticket first." We can pray our hearts out for something that we want, but it will result in nothing if we don't actually do anything to achieve it.
Please, see the movie. It's running everywhere. See it, and then tell people you know to see it. I hope that it will change the way you look at your purpose in life
So, what did I think of this film? It is cinematically pleasing - very well made, the direction and cinematography is awesome. Content - I think they/Al did an absolutely FANTASTIC job of making seemingly boring facts and figures most interesting and thought provoking.
Was I terrified at the end? Yes, but Al also makes sure that you don't leave disheartened - he proposes several ways for us to try to reverse what we've started. (see here)
Of the ways listed, here are the ones that are relevant to me:
- use florescent light bulbs - save 150 pounds of CO2 from being released
- walk, carpool, use mass transit - save 1 pound of CO2 for every mile you drive, every gallon of gas you save, is 20 pounds less of CO2.
- turn off electronic devices - this is the most important for me, since I leave my computer on all the time. Not happening anymore.
- PLANT A TREE!!!!!
Everything we care about is dependent on this planet. It's all we have, if we don't take care of it - we will be left with nothing. Dramatic? Maybe, but when it comes down to it - its true. If you think it doesn't effect you think about this - you are able to read this and comprehend it because your body is getting enough oxygen to function. The more CO2 there is, the less oxygen we have. At a higher level, we have been given a great responsibility. We are the protectors of the earth, and all of the creatures that live on it.
The first victims will be those that are not capable of helping themselves. For example, in the North Pole - the floating ice-caps are melting. Polar bears usually swim to go from one to the other - scientists and explorers find more polar bears that have drowned because they have to swim in excess of 60 miles to get to the next polar ice cap. You know the cute Coke commercials they air in the winter time - soon, the polar bear mascots on those commercials will be the only ones that'll exist. That is if we don't do something about it.
I sometimes think that we are immune to the tragedy that is inherent in life in other nations. When the glaciers in the South pole and Greenland melt, water levels will rise 20 feet. San Francisco, Manhattan and half of Florida will be under water if this happens. Remember the tragedy of Katrina? When you saw the pictures, you didn't think that was in the United States. Well we are as prone in this country as any other. Fortunately, we have greater resources to minimize the tragedy. What I'm worried about is countries like India, Bangladesh and China - Calcutta and Dhaka, Beijing and Shanghai - all home to millions of people - will be under water. Scary? Heck yeah.
Even if this was a farce - are the possibilities not monumental enough for us to take a stand? I believe it - I believe this is coming because as human beings we are selfish and ignorant. Its time for us to start thinking about our responsibilities, and act to protect those who cannot protect themselves.
I'm trying to do my part, and I hope that you will too.
The last quote in "The Inconvenient Truth" is an African proverb -
"When you pray, move your feet."
To me, it is profound because it emphasizes the need for action - prayer in itself is inadequate. I don't remember where I read this story - I think it was in a Tom Friedman book - but anyhoo - a man prays every day to win the lottery. He prays constantly, and with good intention (I may be making this up, but its got a point) ... and he is sincere in his request. And then he gets frustrated, why aren't my prayers being answered. Finally, he gets a response - "Al, if you wanna win the lottery, you're gonna have to buy a ticket first." We can pray our hearts out for something that we want, but it will result in nothing if we don't actually do anything to achieve it.
Please, see the movie. It's running everywhere. See it, and then tell people you know to see it. I hope that it will change the way you look at your purpose in life
"Wisdom has been defined as ... the ability to make correct judgments and decisions, as foreseeing consequences and acting to maximize beneficial results, making the best use of available knowledge, thinking what is best and doing what is best in any given situation"
[from an Islamicity email bulletin - June 24]
posted by zai5h at Saturday, June 24, 2006
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