An Inconvenient Truth

Does the structure of this book help make it more accessible and interesting for readers who may not understand the concepts? How does Gore’s use of imagery, maps, charts, quotations, and other techniques assist the text in painting a complete picture of the problem? Did you find his personal anecdotes to be helpful?

Today, we have additional information about climate change and the way it continues to affect the world. What has changed since 2006, when An Inconvenient Truth was published, in the realms of science and politics, that affect how global warming is now viewed in society?

How do you think this book, and its corresponding documentary, influenced the way climate change is discussed and debated? Can you point to any effects in the public realm that appear to be influenced by this book?

If you were to go about updating this book for the present day, how would you do so? What facts would you use? How would you address the political and social aspects of climate change? What examples might you add that relate to the impact of global warming since 2006?

Look at some of the criticisms of Gore’s book that appeared in the media. Do you agree or disagree with what they say? Do you think ideology plays a role in whether or not critics agree with Gore? Is it possible to remove considerations of agenda and look at this book, or any piece of writing, objectively?

Gore says, “what we do to nature we do to ourselves” (161). What does he mean by this, and can you think of more recent examples that illustrate his point? 

Many critics believe that Gore’s status as a polarizing figure in politics made his argument for climate change harder to believe, because people cannot separate the man from the cause. Do you think the issue of global warming suffered because of this, or did An Inconvenient Truth raise awareness of an important topic in a lasting way?

Do you agree with Al Gore that climate change is “an inconvenient truth” because it will require a change of lifestyle that the public is not ready for yet? What do you think it will take for society to get to that place?