Reflections on "An Inconvenient Truth"

"It's difficult to get a man to understand something, when his salary depends on his not understanding it"

This was a quote for Upton SInclair and one Al Gore uses to explain mans ignorance towards the issue of climate change. Throughout the documentary he discusses different issues and what was noticed was that they all related back to the same problem- a problem that will never disappear - this problem is people.

People are the main cause of pollution, overcrowding due to over population and producers of the many issues Al Gore raises. These being re - emergence of old diseases, overuse of non-renewable resources and creation of emissions to name a few. 

The idea he pitches is that if people change the world can change. By introducing new ideas and innovative ways to reduce the waste we produce and to help protect the planet from further damage rather than helping to destroy it. 

- Greener cars = Less emissions

- Renewable resources = prevention of extinction of fossil fuels

- Recycling = Smaller Landfills

"Pulp and paper is the third largest industrial polluter to air, water and land in the US and Canada" (source: reach for the unbleached foundation)

A lot of people see the need to become green important but don't know how or are too lazy to try, much like the title of the film, an inconvenience. Others believe it's not their responsibility and if there was truth in the climate change scenario then they wouldn't be around to see the damage anyway. However, the issue of climate is progressing positively through the years, with more bio-degradable materials being used, an increase in recycling and introduction of hybrid cars. The issue has become more than political.

Designers are innovators of change - they lead the way for trends and can push the people towards helping the planet. From simple to complex - from re-using your shopping bag to creating renewable energy sources. This essentially acts as a snowball effect - once it starts the rest follow. People produced the problem and it's the people that can prevent the problem.