Guest Author - Jan Zeiger

An Inconvenient Truth is an award-winning documentary that chronicles Al Gore’s involvement in educating others about the very serious impact humans, especially Americans, are having on our environment. I’ve wanted to see this movie for months and finally had the chance this weekend. This is a powerful film that, in my opinion, every American should see. I hope that seeing this film will get individuals thinking about how we affect the Earth and what we can do to help.

What struck me about An Inconvenient Truth was that it included enough information to convey a powerful message without overwhelming the viewer with facts and figures. It was simple enough to be understood by someone who might not be familiar with environmental issues which I think is especially important. Charts and graphs were included when necessary to define the climate changes we have experienced and will experience for years to come if lawmakers don't act soon.

I also liked the fact that An Inconvenient Truth focused on the environmental issues rather than politics. US policy was discussed, but I felt that, in general, the filmmakers did an excellent job of reaching out to a bipartisan audience. Viewers were shown well-researched data regarding global warming, including powerful pictures and other graphics that enhanced the viewer’s understanding of the issue. While Al Gore was featured in the film, his life was certainly not the focus. Instead, the story of his passion for this cause left viewers like myself feeling informed as well as inspired to take action and speak out about this issue.

While many reviews of An Inconvenient Truth can be found online, I thought Roger Ebert's review of the film was very good. I also enjoyed A. O. Scott’s New York Times review, finding it especially insightful.

In addition to seeing the movie, I recommend that you visit the film’s companion site, ClimateCrisis.net. Teachers and parents will find a free educational guide to download as well as information regarding the climate changes we‘re experiencing. Most importantly, the website includes a “Take Action” section for those who are concerned and want to reduce their own impact on the environment.