An Inconvenient Truth

Part 1: Personal Impact
The most memorable part of ‘An Inconvenient Truth’, for me, is the way the red lines bounced off the edge of the ozone layer. I think I remembered this because it helps me to understand global warming.

The most compelling part of the film for me would probably be the images of the ice on the glaciers receding. To actually be faced with images of the destruction of the environment terrifies me.

For any kind of sustainable future, all humans need to realise the potential of global warming. Governments need to place the climate crisis as high as the economy on the political agenda. We need to work together as a community to change not just our ways, but the way our society works. Our focus on the economy blinds us to the reality.

Words: 128

Part 2: Deepening the Learning
This film gave me much more evidence, mainly in the form of statistics, that global warming is real and humans are the cause. I have always been aware of global warming and believed it, but this film helped me understand the roots of the problem.

I would really like to see celebrities joining the battle against global warming. I think that by showing their support for beating global warming, it could really get a lot of people to listen to the issues and join to fight.

As I am not an expert on climate change, it is hard for me to know who to trust. I believe there is enough scientific evidence to prove global warming is real.

Words: 118

Part 3: Moral and Future Considerations
I have grown up with an awareness of global warming. These issues are regularly discussed in my household. I, along with the rest of my family, believe that global warming is terrible and humans are the cause.

Our economic system lacks any recognition of global warming. Sure there’s an Emissions Trading Scheme, or a meeting every now and then, but we are currently making no difference to the systems that are the cause of global warming. Humans are very arrogant and it would take a great cause to change the way we think about things. In the society we currently live in there is really no chance of changing our ways. Our society is very focused on money, but what use is money if there is no world to use it on? This is one fact our politicians seem to be missing.

I would happily commit to all suggestions mentioned in the film. Currently I am already doing most of them. As I am a student, and am living with my parents, I have very little choice in some decisions such as where we shop and the food we buy.

Every little thing makes a difference but it would take a huge leap to defeat global warming. ‘An Inconvenient Truth’ is a good way to get started. If complicated topics are put into easily accessed formats they are more likely to be listened to. Even if the audience isn’t paying attention, the idea will be pushed into their sub-conscious, and possibly make a difference.

Words: 254

Total Words: 500 (That's so cool!)

The Lorax

'The Lorax’ is fable written by Dr. Seuss in 1971. Although this story uses words like 'Swommee–Swans' and 'Bar-ba-loot fruits', many themes and issues discussed in this fable are very serious and slightly frightening matters. It tackles many serious problems, including deforestation, near-sighted humans, extinction of species and global warming. In this story, ‘The Once-ler’ – the antagonist - is a greedy, lonely, selfish businessman, and although a ‘Once-ler’ is a made up creature, he relates very closely to the selfish and short sighted human beings.

The ‘Once-ler’ takes everything he wants and ignores everything he believes is unimportant, such as the Lorax’s (pictured) important message of hope. The Lorax pledges for the Once-ler to slow down his business of knitting ‘Thneeds’ to save the environment. The Once-ler ignores the Lorax’s words of wisdom, and just keeps on expanding his business. By the end of the story the ‘Once-ler’ has run out of resources, and is left old and remorseful for the short-term rush of power. Dr. Seuss was most likely trying to emphasise the way humans find it hard to see the long term consequences of their actions.

The most depressing part of this story is that almost 40 years ago Dr. Seuss knew that there was horror to come if humans continued their ways. But in general, humans have not made a difference. And now we are facing the terrifying consequences.

Words: 233