Kevin Laliberte
Editor, Smoky River Express

Humanity appears to be sitting on a ticking time bomb. And if the vast majority of the world’s leading scientists are correct, we have just 10 short years to avert a major catastrophe that could send our entire planet into a tail-spin of epic destruction involving extreme weather, floods, droughts, epidemics and killer heat waves beyond anything we have ever experienced. If that sounds like a scatter-brained and unrealistic recipe for serious gloom and doom in the not-too-distant future – think again. Because it’s more of a probability than a impossibility, especially if you believe the apocalyptic-like words of scientific experts who continue to profess that humanity is slowly raping the earth of all its natural spleandor through pollution. It’s a harsh statement which caught my attention recently, leading me to sit down with my family to watch the intriguing film documentary by former U.S. vice-president Al Gore entitled “An Inconvenient Truth.” The film offers a unique perspective into one man’s fervent crusade to halt global warming’s deadly progress in its tracks by exposing the myths and misconceptions that surround it. Through the film and his eye-opening “travelling global warming show,” Gore stirs the environmental caldron by drawing close attention to what he refers to as a “planetary emergency” – global warming. Additional references – too many to count – are made to reinforce his point in the film, ranging from evidence of vanishing ozone layers at the poles, to the impact global warming is having on weather and storm frequency, increased rates of new disease, temperature rise, as well as its affect on rapidly receding ice caps and polar ice formations. Gore pulls no punches in explaining the dire situation, while emphasizing the fact that there is still time to make a difference. He reiterates over and over again that because most global warming emissions remain in the atmosphere for decades or centuries, the energy choices we make today greatly influence the climate our children and grandchildren will ultimately inherit. Thus the importance of opening our eyes to energy efficiency by taking steps at significantly reducing emissions from our energy and land use. Gore is adamant in stressing that humanity must act now to avoid dangerous, life altering consequences which could result in a dark future for the generations to follow in our footsteps. My personal opinion of the documentary is that it succeeds in terms of bringing forward some fairly compelling evidence to suggest we can no longer afford to view global warming as simply a political issue, but rather one of the biggest moral challenges facing our global civilization. So, why is it then that very little is being done globally by our leaders to effectively curb this growing problem? Is it, as Gore suggests, a moral case of human ignorance towards an obvious and inconvenient truth or nothing more than a pack of scientifically-stretched half truths to solicit widespread public fear and draw attention to what some people argue is a non-issue? You be the judge. Just remember that we all have a responsibility in making lifestyle changes and choices to protect and preserve our environment. Big or small each of us can make a positive difference to reduce the impact of global warming, regardless of whether it’s walking to work, recycling or reducing energy consumption. Do your part! In the end, the environment will thank you, as will your children and grandchildren and those to follow.

Copyright © 2002 Smoky River Express. All Rights Reserved.
No part may be reproduced without written permission.

View our Privacy Statement.
Send website suggestions to the Webmaster