An Inconvenient Truth

An Inconvenient Truth

Year: 2006

Runtime: 100 min

Language: English

Director: Davis Guggenheim

Documentary

As a thought-provoking documentary, An Inconvenient Truth presents a compelling case for climate change awareness. However, this critique offers a nuanced counterpoint, highlighting areas where Al Gore's vision may be overly dire, encouraging a more balanced exploration of environmental issues and their complex consequences.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen An Inconvenient Truth yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – An Inconvenient Truth (2006)
Trace every key event in An Inconvenient Truth (2006) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.
1

Al Gore's Advocacy Begins

Al Gore, a long-time advocate for the environment, begins his lifelong commitment to raising awareness about global warming. He focuses on educating the public about the science behind climate change, drawing on a deep well of personal experience and knowledge.

2

Hurricane Katrina Strikes

Hurricane Katrina hits New Orleans in 2005, illustrating the devastating effects of climate change. This catastrophic event marks a turning point in the public discourse around global warming and its real-world consequences.

2005 New Orleans
3

Presentation on Global Warming

Gore presents a compelling and factual narrative about the impacts of global warming, stripped of political bias. His engaging presentation captivates audiences, prompting them to confront the harsh realities of climate change.

4

Rising CO2 Levels

The concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere has escalated significantly over the past 45 years, now reaching unprecedented levels. This increase correlates directly with rising global temperatures and severe climatic changes.

5

Impact of Climate Change Observed

Gore highlights the visible impacts of climate change, including the retreat of glaciers and the decline of mountain ice. He emphasizes that these changes are not just local but are occurring globally, affecting ecosystems and communities worldwide.

6

Data Correlation Between Temperature and CO2

Scientists meticulously study ice cores, revealing a consistent correlation between global temperatures and CO2 concentrations over the past 1000 years. This data serves as a crucial piece of evidence in understanding the impact of human activity on climate.

7

Extreme Weather Events Increase

Gore cites statistics showing that 10 of the hottest years on record have occurred within the last 14 years. The heightened frequency of extreme weather events like powerful hurricanes is a direct result of global warming.

8

Consequences of Global Warming

Global warming causes severe alterations in weather patterns, leading to record-breaking floods in various parts of the world. Areas like India and China experience catastrophic flooding, while simultaneous droughts emerge in other regions.

9

Melting Arctic Ice

The Arctic ice cap, a previously stable climate barrier, has diminished by 40% over the last 40 years. As more ice melts, the warming waters absorb more sunlight, and this radical change threatens polar ecosystems and global weather patterns.

Arctic
10

Impact on Biodiversity

The warming climate leads to an increase in pest populations, which devastate forests and disrupt ecosystems. Additionally, many species are at risk, with extinctions occurring at 1000 times the natural rate due to habitat loss and changed environments.

11

Antarctic Ice Shelf Breaking

The Antarctic Ice Shelf, the largest mass of ice on Earth, begins to break off as warming waters compromise its structural integrity. This loss contributes to rising sea levels, threatening coastal cities and ecosystems globally.

Antarctica
12

Population Growth and Climate Pressure

Predictions suggest that the human population will reach 9 billion by 2050, which increases pressure on food demand and natural resources. This growth exacerbates problems like deforestation, further amplifying climate change effects.

13

Political Resistance to Climate Change Action

Despite overwhelming scientific consensus on global warming, detractors attempt to reframe it as a theory rather than an established fact. Gore stresses the importance of political action to address this issue and the need for public awareness.

14

Technological Solutions to Combat Climate Change

Al Gore emphasizes that humans possess the technology to mitigate climate change impacts, but political will is essential for implementation. He references successful global collaboration on issues like ozone depletion as a model for addressing global warming.

Last Updated: January 02, 2025 at 17:54