An Inconvenient Truth in Tokyo: Al Gore’s Appearance at Waseda

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Was fortunate to catch Al Gore at Waseda University here in Tokyo on Wednesday. He was in town to accept an honorary degree and kick off their Global Ecology Summit.

He gave a variation on his Inconvenient Truth presentation on global warming with updated data. I’ve seen his presentation a couple of times and it keeps getting more convincing. To some degree that may be because of Mr. Gore’s considerable practice in delivering his message, unfortunately though, it has much to do with the ongoing changes in our environment that continue to lay frightening credence to his message. One thing that struck me deeply was his comparison of our current hothouse plight to that of the dinosaurs. I’ve heard and read this comparison before but, for some reason, the realization that we, like the dinosaurs, could well go extinct because of a polluted atmosphere making the planet inhospitable for much of what currently lives here cut me deeply. 

My initial surprise at the strength of my reaction yielded to a deep, calm acceptance of the fact that life will go on. If we are trying to save the planet we are wasting our time-it and life will go on without us. I realized that what I believe we must do is to avert needless suffering, pain and loss.

We are living in a time in which instant karma is a reality. We can see like never before how the butterfly effect works in real time via our wired, hyper-interactive connectivity. The choices we’re making, the way we’re living now are the foundations of our future. We can see this if we are willing and courageous enough to see. If the predictions that Gore and his scientific support are making are true, we’re creating a nightmare of suffering for future generations.

Gore’s description of our cities as part of a pattern of wind and water also hit me in a similar way. Our cities deeply reflect our inter-relationship with the elemental forces that shape our world. Their location, shape, building style, core sources of economy and even the make up of citizens are inextricably related to the ecological context into which they are woven. If the actions we’re taking now are going to erase or alter the fundamental precedents for settlement (like no water in New Dehli or lots of sea water in Miami and Tokyo) we will be responsible for unimaginable pain, suffering and loss.

The presentation closed with the exhortation to make the jump away from fossil fuels and to renewable resources like solar and wind power. Invoking Abraham Lincoln, Gore referenced the following statement: “As our case is new, so we must think anew, and act anew. We must disenthrall ourselves, and then we shall save our country.”  In Lincoln’s case he was talking about slavery and saving the US. In our case we are talking about dependence on fossil fuels and saving our selves, children and grandchildren from a miserable, dark and depressing future.

It isn’t a matter of technology now, the technology exists or is quickly coming on line. It is a matter of belief, hope, imagination, compassion, and will and courage. 

I’ve asked this before and will keep asking anyone who will listen, what are you waiting for?

Tags: Abraham Lincoln, Al Gore, An Inconvenient Truth, global warming, renewable energy, solar power, wind power