Gore Accepts Nobel - Time For Our Part
By Phil Butler on Dec 10, 2007 in Featured, News
I don’t watch much TV these days, but I was passing the tube when I noticed Al Gore giving his acceptance speech for winning the Nobel Prize for “An Inconvenient Truth”, so I took some moments to give a listen. I expect most of us have seen the film, and of course experienced the discourse over such consequential subject matter. I have made mention or written about global warming on many occasions, but something striking happened today as I watched Gore accept this award. The real impact of his efforts and the dire need for all of us to understand these issues became even more abundantly clear to me.
An Inconvenient Truth literally shook the world as Gore and some of the world’s foremost scientists revealed a human and environmental landscape many of us had no clear realization of. Initially, critics and certain political interests seemed to be holding their own in criticizing the film and its premise. However, the momentum and truth of global warming seems to be gaining momentum the farther the debate goes (and the more the ice melts). For me, finding the truth requires a simple review of Earth’s landscape (Google satellite map) in order to see the devastation we have wrought. Whether it is through busy complacency or self interested rationalization, most people have failed to realize the impact we have had on our planet.
As I watched Gore give one of the most eloquent and impactful speeches I have heard in many years, I could not help but wonder at just how we failed to elect this man as President? The conviction (without political agenda) and the simple elegance of vision Gore displays in this speech rings of leadership and honesty. I wonder what kind of America we would have now, compared to the relatively damaged and stressed one we have, we would have seen had things been slightly different.
I will not go on and on about a subject we are all somewhat inundated with these days. I can only suggest that each of you watch the acceptance speech and compare in your mind the difference between this man and the one now in the White House. More importantly, I think Vice President Gore, his colleagues and the rest of the “sane” world would want each of you to give a little thought to this monumental issue. Also, take note that this is probably the only time you will see me differ explanation and ideology to a video. Watch this and just open your mind to the gravity of our situation.
Yes we all can learn…. I think though, Mr. Gore’s plane burned more fuel on the way to Oslo than my car will ever burn in a year.
Vlad | Dec 11, 2007 | Reply
The problem I have with Gore (and the movie) is that the science is not sound. The Earth has gone through many warming and cooling periods (even before man walked the Earth) so I simply can not believe that we are the cause.
I see this as an anti-capitalist movement. If Gore truly believed in what he preaches he would move into a two room shack and get rid of all of his polluting cars, trucks and planes.
the carbon credit business sounds like a bunch of “feel good” politics that will do nothing other than enrich a small class of people once they guilt big corporations into buying into the scam.
HMTKSteve | Dec 11, 2007 | Reply
Hi Vlad,
No doubt a single plane burns many times the fuel a single car does. I am really more concerned with coal burning power plants than with autos and etc.
If are minds are set to be cynical and unaccessible to truths - the we often find rationalizations for what we do. I hope we can open our minds to the probability that we have an effect to start with. It is a simple function of a physical law.
Phil
Phil Butler | Dec 11, 2007 | Reply
I cannot listen to this video as I fear it is yet another lecture from a political elitist telling us how we should live.
This whole Global Warming movement gives me the creeps, yet one more way for certain people to exert their control over our daily lives.
Matt Keegan | Dec 11, 2007 | Reply
Steve,
Some of the science is questionable - so we need to validate it of course. Rain forests disappearing, polluted lakes and rivers, smog, acid rain, vanishing species, ozone holes, CO2 levels rising and all these issues are not simply resultant from natural phenomena.
I will effort to show readers here the systematic rape of this planet in the last century within a few weeks. No matter what evidence I come up with - someone will say that human beings are the angelic, omnipotent and Earth loving center of a perfect ecosystem.
You are the best Steve - I hope you will use that great intillect to approach this issue from the oppostive prespective - perhaps finding reasons why we “do” effect these changes. If you cannot do so earnestly - then I support your postion.
Always,
Phil
Phil Butler | Dec 11, 2007 | Reply
Clearly bad things such as strip mining and feroestation are bad but it annoys me to no end with limosine liberals preach to the masses to conserve and recycle while they continue to use more resources than anyone else.
I have far more respect for Ghandi and the Dali Lama because they practice(d) what the preache(ed).
If Al Gore were to sell his house and fuel guzzling cars and places he would gain my respect. If he then used all of his accumulated wealth to repair enviromental damages he would have even more of my respect.
Just as the libs like to tell pro-war people to go and sign up and fight I tell the enviromentalist whackos to live the life that they are telling the rest of the world to live.
A week of wiping your butt with leaves is all it will take to calm them down.
Also, the biggest enviormental problem is not in the Western world but in China. A country that is not affected by the Kyoto protocols.
HMTKSteve | Dec 11, 2007 | Reply
Nuclear plants are far cleaner than even the cleanest coal plants. Good luck getting a permit approved for one of them!
Ethanol? It costs more to produce than you get back from using it. It also drives up food prices because it is made from foodstocks.
Even Wind and Hydro power have enviormentalists up in arms! I recall a plan to put a wind farm off the coast of Nantucket until a certain MA senator shot it down.
Hydro power requires dams, which also make enviormentalists angry. Solar requires too much land mass and is only good towards the equator where the only season is summer.
This is why I call it anti-capitalist. The people on the “man made global warming” side will not be happy until we are living back in the stone age because they see people as the root of all evil (except for themselves).
HMTKSteve | Dec 11, 2007 | Reply
I can only digress to simplicity. The points made here covers all that I have to say.
“If everyone will keep their side of the street clean, all else will take care of itself.” Yet I’m afraid that simplicity is much too difficult of a concept.
The earth has gone through its cycles by itself for centuries on end and it will continue doing so. It is doing what it has been made to do. As human beings, we need to respect and honor her for what she is and what she brings as gifts to us to enjoy.
Saboma | Dec 11, 2007 | Reply
You might be interested in reading this book by Parlor Press: Looking for a Fight: Is There a Republican War on Science?
Saboma | Dec 11, 2007 | Reply
Ironically, Mike Dunford said essentially the same thing in his post today regarding this topic except his is in greater detail than mine since it’s his blog, he can do that.
We are what’s wrong, and we must make it right
Saboma | Dec 11, 2007 | Reply
Hi Matt, I don’t blame you on one level - but in this case Gore appears to be beyond the level you describe.
I suppose there is some subterfuge - but all the points and his oratory are quite compelling. We should lead our lives accepting the resonsability for allowing the world to have bad leaders.
Just my thoughts,
Phil
Phil Butler | Dec 12, 2007 | Reply
Saboma - Gal you are very right to simplify this issue. If everyone would take their back yard and make it better - much of the problem would go away .
There is however another more dramatic side to this. We - as in we the people - have allowed (however we rationalize it) other powerful others to have Carte Blanche in developing businesses that in the long run - are not good for us or the planet.
I think we have to approach our problems from both ends of the spectrum in order to solve them. Bad choices have cost us the potential we had 4 decades ago - for good and a better world. I hope we can turn things around - we need to strive for a better world - not the illusion of one.
Thanks so much gal!
Phil
Phil Butler | Dec 12, 2007 | Reply
Steve - I agree with you on the “extremist” issue. As far as capitalism - we only perceive that it works - the theory is still being tested (with some very interesting results I might add).
Maybe we should be back in the stone age with some really efficient and cool tools to work with? Hydro power is about 10 percent or less and as you say ’super’ environmentally unfriendly.
I think this discourse is a good thing because this is how we will solve some of these problems. I like what Gore has tried to do - especially in somewhat balancing the other end of the spectrum (that would be Bush and the money lenders
I appreciate and respect your input Steve - I do not mean to negate anything you are saying, we just need to find an accord.
Phil
Phil Butler | Dec 12, 2007 | Reply
The best way forward is nuclear energy. It is the cleanest form of energy available.
HMTKSteve | Dec 12, 2007 | Reply
Here is something interesting I have found:
http://www.moonbattery.com/archives/2007/12/scientists_peti.html
So much of Gore’s consensus.
Vlad | Dec 16, 2007 | Reply