An Inconvenient Truth

(Page 7 of 7)

October/November 2006
By Al Gore 
Article Tools
Print
Comments
RSS
Bookmark and Share

We should not fear this challenge. We should welcome it. We must not wait. In the words of Dr. King, “Tomorrow is today.”

RELATED CONTENT

I began with a description of an experience 17 years ago that, for me, stopped time. During that painful period I gained an ability I hadn’t had before to feel the preciousness of our connection to our children and the solemnity of our obligation to safeguard their future and protect the Earth we are bequeathing to them.

Imagine with me now that once again, time has stopped — for all of us — and before it starts again, we have the chance to use our moral imaginations and to project ourselves across the expanse of time, 17 years into the future, and share a brief conversation with our children and grandchildren as they are living in the year 2023.

Will they feel bitterness toward us because we failed in our obligation to care for the Earth that is their home and ours? Will the Earth have been irreversibly scarred by us? Imagine now that they are asking us: “What were you thinking? Didn’t you care about our future? Were you really so self-absorbed that you couldn’t — or wouldn’t — stop the destruction of Earth’s environment?” What would our answer be?

We can answer their questions now by our actions, not merely with our promises. In the process, we can choose a future for which our children will thank us.

For more information and tips on fighting global warming, see What You Can Do to Help Solve the Climate Crisis.

Page: << Previous 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
Bookmark and Share
RSS | Comments | E-mail | Print

Comments

  • Truth 10/16/2007 3:23:18 PM

    Al Gore didn't invent the internet but he "did" invent Global
    Warming...or so goes the bumper sticker crowd. Climate change is a
    fact. Just as is rain, snow, and sunshine. How long have weather
    patterns been recorded? What's that? Maybe a generation, or so? I
    believe my Viking and First Nation (& Inuit) ancestors
    encountered balmy conditions many years ago... The "true"
    inconvenience is: Mr. Gore isn't presenting "all" the facts, i.e.
    he's neglecting a sorely needed balanced perspective of educated
    opinions. As a former student of environmental economics, I
    recognize it is prudent to make thoughtful and logical choices with
    respect to wasteful behaviour. However it is utter nonsense to
    scaremonger without evaluating all the facts. True it's a cheap
    shot, but perhaps Mr. Gore should tend his own backyard for "living
    excess" before he starts rallying the parade of chicken littles.
    Ah, but where would the world be without another religion and a
    throaty evangelist to lead the masses... Sign me, Pleasantly
    cynical with humour intact.

Add Your Comment

Please note that there is currently a problem with the comments function and your comment may or may not post successfully. We are working to correct the problem and thank you for your patience. 

You can use this comment form to enter your personal experiences or additional information and resources that you'd like to share with Mother Earth News readers. Your helpful advice will be posted on this page.  E-mail addresses are never displayed on comments, but they are required to confirm your comments.

Line breaks and paragraphs are automatically converted — no need to use <p> or <br> tags.

New to Mother Earth News?
Sign up to share comments.
Asterisks(*) indicate required fields.
Name*
Your name appears next to your comment.

E-mail Address*
This will be your login ID.

City State Zip Code

Password*


Confirm Password*

Comments
1500 character limit (Offensive materials and/or spam will be removed, no HTML allowed)
Please Note: Your sign-up must be verified via e-mail before your comment is published.
FEATURED ARTICLES
MOST POPULAR


Subscribe Today - Pay Now & Save 66% Off the Cover Price

First Name: *
 Last Name: *
Address: *
 City: *
State/Province: *
 Zip/Postal Code:*
Country:
 Email:*
(* indicates a required item)
Canadian subs: 1 year, (includes postage & GST). Foreign subs: 1 year, . U.S. funds.
Canadian Subscribers - Click Here
Non US and Canadian Subscribers - Click Here

Lighten the Strain on the Earth and Your Budget

Mother Earth News is the guide to living — as one reader stated — “with little money and abundant happiness.” Every issue is an invaluable guide to leading a more sustainable life, covering ideas from fighting rising energy costs and protecting the environment to avoiding unnecessary spending on processed food. You’ll find tips for slashing heating bills; growing fresh, natural produce at home; and more. Mother Earth News helps you cut costs without sacrificing modern luxuries.

At Mother Earth News, we are dedicated to conserving our planet’s natural resources while helping you conserve your financial resources. That’s why we want you to save money and trees by subscribing through our Earth-Friendly automatic renewal savings plan. By paying with a credit card, you save an additional $4.95 and get 6 issues of Mother Earth News for only $10.00 (USA only).

You may also use the Bill Me option and pay $14.95 for 6 issues.