Directed by: Bonni Cohen and Jon Shenk
Starring: Al Gore
I don't know if An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power is inconvenient as much as it is redundant. 2006's An Inconvenient Truth featured shocking images and revelations about the disastrous effects of climate charge. We have known for decades about the damage global warming is causing the planet. An Inconvenient Truth spelled it out in incontrovertible and scary terms. Former Vice-President Al Gore narrated that film also with a chilling power point presentation reflecting the rising sea levels, disappearance of glaciers, and how each year is hotter than the last.
An Inconvenient Sequel picks up in 2015 with Gore updating his power point presentation to show us even scarier trends and gripping footage of cities like Miami Beach dealing with unprecedented flooding caused by high tides. With more water from rapidly depleting glaciers and icebergs finding its way to the ocean, sea levels rise. It is a vicious circle. Gore is a tireless advocate for the cause which shouldn't be so much work, but yet news footage shown at the beginning of the film gives us climate deniers who publicly refuse to believe in climate change. As if it is something to refuse to believe. It is as silly to deny climate change as it is to deny the Earth is round, but there are still people out there who do. I'm sure some are trolls, but there are others who staunchly believe it or agree with it because their politician of choice does.
Much of the film centers on the creation of the 2015 Paris Climate Accord, which our current President opted out of in June 2017 with as much aforethought as opting out of a magazine subscription. India was a temporary holdout in the conference due to their inability to gain financing without ultra-high interest rates for solar energy use. They are concerned with using their fossil fuel resources to allow millions of its poor citizens to live. The nation wanted solar energy, but not at absurd interest rates and the expense of millions of its citizens who need basic human services. Gore goes to work to convince the World Bank to lend India the money at lower interest rates. If this doesn't sound entirely riveting, that is because it isn't. Such wheeling and dealing is best left off camera or in the director's cut on DVD.
We see Gore travel the globe, visiting The Philippines which dealt with its own climate change-aided natural disaster and a small Republican town in Texas which despite its conservative leanings is leading the charge for 100% solar efficiency. Gore and company are preaching to the converted here. They play it too safe by not focusing on how politics has shaped the fight against climate change in the last decade. We see snippets of then-candidate Donald Trump chastising then-President Obama for, and I'm paraphrasing, hanging around Paris too long for the climate change conference. Gore explains that Trump's election was a setback to his cause, but practically blows past it. We see Gore entering Trump Tower to speak with Trump, I assume, but there is no mention of what he discussed with Trump and no footage of the meeting.
The movie focuses plenty of the positive steps which have been taken by many nations to help reduce the emission of fossil fuel gases over the next few decades. But, I couldn't help but feel this is looking at the issue through rose-colored glasses. The movie isn't stirring or angry enough. Like Hillary Clinton's failed Presidential campaign, it plays nice with the naysayers and deniers who ridicule the cause. It would have been more dramatic and interesting to see Gore disarm opponents with the facts. This would at least allow us the pleasure of seeing them put in their place and perhaps strengthen its standing with doubters. But, it doesn't want to play rough or ruffle feathers. The film wasn't made for anyone but the people who already believe anyway.
I admire Gore's passion and energy. Despite his age, he still travels indefatigably all over the globe in defense of his cause. But even his seminars, training sessions, and lectures are all aimed at an easy audience which isn't likely to question anything. I would like to see one denier attempt to criticize Gore for flying all over when jet fuel emissions surely contribute to climate change. The perfect response: "Well, I can't walk to Paris."
No comments:
Post a Comment