I saw Al Gore
This year will be marked by two events for my hometown. If you're a football fan, then you might know that BSU recently won the Fiesta Bowl. I'm not a football fan, but I really love Mother Earth, so I was thrilled to learn that former VP Al Gore would deliver the keynote address at the 23rd annual Frank Church Conference on Public Affairs. I was on the edge of my seat (aisle chair of the 6th row with an unobstructed view in a crowd of 10,000) hearing a message very similar to his famous movie only updated with more statistics and findings from the year. It also incorporated issues relevant to the Northwest and facts about specific climate related incidents in Idaho, such as flooding, droughts and forest fires. The impact of this important and crucial subject combined with the excitement of seeing Al Gore was a bit overwhelming for me. He is a powerful and dynamic speaker -- fluctuating between jokes and alarming facts while offering fantastic hope at an opportunity to respond to this call to action and solve the problem before it's too late. Since seeing the movie and reading the book, I've had deep feelings about his issue -- some may call me fanatical, but I wonder if it is possible to care too much about this? Proven science projects catastrophic events within my daughters' lifetimes. This is a completely terrifying & paralyzing thought for me. Where to begin? It's frustrating when most of my friends haven't even been motivated enough to go see the movie. But Gore urges us not to go straight from denial to despair -- skipping the the key middle component of doing something about the problem -- action. Small decisions matter when you multiply them by a thousand, million, 10 million.
11 comments:
Thank you so much for sharing. I, too, feel the same way. My family/friends kid me and tell me that I am a bit fanatical myself with many of my views relating to this topic, Mother Earth in general. No one I know would even watch the movie either. Wow, 2 hours max, that's it. You are so right, though. Small decisions and steps multiplied by thousands and millions can eventually make a big impact, in the negative or positive realm. Hopefully more people will start to care. I honestly think a good start would be to air An Inconvenient Truth on network TV. Then maybe a few more will listen and take an active role.
hi pixie -- it feels comforting to know you feel the same way, and it's nice to share these thoughts with someone as this topic goes over just about as well as a wet blanket. i really like your idea of showing the movie on tv!
Wow Vicki- it sounds like the Gore speech turned out to be good. I agree with you that it's sad people turn a deaf ear to global warming and current climate issues. It's unfortunate because there are many ways that we can reduce these real impacts and hopefully make the world a little better for future (such as your kids) generations. We talked about many of these problems and solutions in my environmental science class that I took last semester, and it was very eye opening. I saw Gore's movie after I completed the class and found it very similar to my studies. I'm so jealous that you actually got to see him speak. But even more so, I'm glad you care about our world and our children, and I hope you continue to spread your knowledge and passion, especially to non-believers.
-Teresa
... I assume Gore didn't mention vegetarianism...
I feel the same way!
hi teresa -- your environmental science class sounds outstanding! & it's encouraging to know universities around the world are offering such classes & that you and so many other young people are interested. i took an advanced environmental studies class at SDSU about 13 years ago and global warming wasn't even part of the agenda -- it was still too "out there" of an idea!
you're right, gore didn't mention personal diet as a means to combat global warming. but i do understand -- i think it'd make the rest of his speech suspect to those who still need convincing. in my opinion, the "gp" just isn't ready to hear such a concept -- it seems to be an underground movement right now. in my sidebar, there is a link under EARTH VICE "save the earth - be vegan" which clearly explains the connection. i'd rather have his speech be well received by the mainsteam than go by the wayside as as radical ideas.
thanks for coming by and sharing your thoughts!
hi johanna -- that makes me happy! :o) & i hope that your daughter is feeling better.
XO
Awesome that you got such a good seat! I'm sure you were on the edge of it! It's true, if everyone made small decisions, that would certainly make a tremendous difference. Keep talking and doing Vicki. You are an inspiration!
that's it Vicki...don't despair so soon. BUT that's also normal. i remember when i first saw Peaceable Kingdom. I was overwhelmed with despair and helplessness. Now i just lead by example. sometimes not a good one but i think a powerful one - to show people you CAN do the best you can and still make a huge difference. since i've become veggie, i can say 5 people have switched...and how many did THEY make switch? it's a trickling affect...(effect?) we jsut have to keep moving and keep talking...
Wow--he's probably the only politician doing anything for the environment. The State of the Union rhetoric about oil consumption and alternativ energy cars last night literally made me and Omniman sick. Omni had to leave the room.
You are not a fanatic! More people should care "too much" about this issue! I can't believe, for example, that polar bears are going to be extinct! We have to act, people. GW, I'm looking at you, doofus.
hey tk -- i like your advice & i'll take it, that's a good way to look at things. thanks. :o)
hi urban -- i couldn't watch the state of the union speech because my stomach is still hurling from his "send more troops" speech. i much prefer the "state of the onion" speech at your place!
the only good thing about GW is that he can't run again. sorry 'bout the wisdom teeth, bazu.
It must have been so amazing seeing him in person. I have so much respect for him! I've seen the movie- so inspiring! I'm like you, can't get very many of my close friends and family member to watch it!!! So, frustrating!
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