I’m ashamed to admit that as long as we have public television (and at this rate, that’s not a guarantee), there are very few instances in which I will pay for a New York City movie ticket to see a documentary film. In spite my inherent cheapness, Beth and I saw Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth this weekend. I say “Al Gore’s” loosely because he didn’t really make the film. Rather, it is a documentary of his presentation on global warming and why and how he came about giving that presentation. If this makes the movie sound bland, then I apologize – it isn’t. The film inter-cuts footage of Al Gore away from the podium and manages (unlike the Democrats) to portray him as a very intelligent, sincere and (yes) humorous man.

Now, I consider myself both an avid environmentalist and a documentary lover. I was already aware of a lot of the scientific information that Mr. Gore covers in his presentation: That global temperatures have historically fluctuated in direct proportion to atmospheric CO2 levels. That current CO2 levels are double any previous historic record (and rising). That global temperature and weather patterns are highly dependant on ocean currents. And that melting polar and glacial ice not only threaten to raise sea levels but also to shut those currents down and thus produce even more violent and extreme weather than what has occurred in the last decade. And, as Mr. Gore spells out, the source of the CO2 increase is easy one to figure out – man. Or, more specifically, man and his technology. And it’s not just cars. Power generation and clear-cutting are equal to if not greater sources of CO2 than automobiles. Pretty much every modern convenience creates CO2.

What I wasn’t aware of is the complexity of solving the problem. Mr. Gore uses an Upton Sinclair quote to surmise: If is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends upon his not understanding it. In other words, as long as there is big money to made from ignoring global warming (and a government that placates those financial interests), it will be ignored.

Global warming is a real crisis and it is not looming, it’s already begun. Even if we were to stop all CO2 emissions tomorrow, the effects will continue to escalate. There are a lot things that individuals can do. For starters, see this film (not only is it good, but it’s important). And be thoughtful when you make your purchases and elect your officials. This is not a problem that will go away.