An Inconvenient Truth... Hearing it live from Al Gore.

Climate change. The Greenhouse Effect. Global warming.

Do those words ring a bell? Oh don't you kid me around! As far as I could remember, I've been hearing them since my elementary days. I could recall my grade school teacher telling me about how the greenhouse gases trap the heat from the sun from escaping the earth's atmosphere. But at that time, people weren't alarmed. People were naive and wouldn't care less. People were indifferent.

But here we are, decades later, reaping the effects of the things we have brought upon ourselves. We are perspiring in our seats while doing nothing and the only ones to blame are us. Only decades after, we have felt the changes in climate that were once urban legends to most people. Who has the last laugh now? --No one.

Being a biologist, I did not have to hear it from Al Gore that the reason behind climate change is the amount of carbon emissions. The amount of carbon in the air is directly proportional to the increase in temperature of the Earth's atmosphere. In short, the more carbon, the more hot it gets. And the more hot it gets, the more it gets nasty for all of us: stronger and more frequent typhoons, melting of the ice caps, flooding, drought, seasonal change and the destruction of the balance of the ecosystem. In short, life on earth is in grave danger. It couldn't be worse.

So where did all the carbon come from? Yes, carbon is embedded in the framework of most matter here on earth but how come it's accumulating in the atmosphere? I think we all know the answer... even a seventh grader could answer that. Humanity is at fault. We have been taking everything for granted at our own convenience. We are the ones to blame in the ongoing destruction of the environment and eventually, ourselves.

If most of us knows that we are responsible, why aren't we doing anything to stop it? Why are millions of people still smoke cigarettes or burn things? Why do people still cut trees? Why are millions of people still pretending that this things are not happening? Why aren't we thinking of solutions and actually executing them? Why? Because most people are still not informed.

When Al Gore first spoke about climate change and the reason behind it, there were a lot of detractors. He received a lot of criticisms and most of them are saying that he is just using this for the money. He was even nicknamed, "the carbon billionaire." I am not here to defend him but it is not the main issue at hand. Why? Because right now, the things that he is presenting are not mere theories. They are facts. It is an evident truth-- an inconvenient one. And it is a truth that we all have to face.

So, what is the truth? Why is it inconvenient? The truth is that if we don't act now, our planet is going to be destroyed. It is inconvenient for all of us because in order to save the planet, we have to change a lot of things- most of them compromising our own convenience and comfort. But as Al Gore said, "It is not just any act. It is not just any political act. It is not just an environmental matter. It is a moral obligation. It is a moral action because the fate of living things in this planet lies in our hands. It is God's will for us to take care of nature."

Yes it is inconvenient for me to bring a recyclable cloth bag every time I shop, so I would not have to add to the plastic scum, but I always do. Yes it is inconvenient or uncustomary to refuse to put a small item I have bought in small plastic bags, but I always do. All my accounts and bills are enrolled in online banking systems so that they would not have to print out my bills in paper that adds to our trash. And yes, it is inconvenient for me to put small bits of trash in my pockets or bag until I come near to a trash bin, but I do, even if at the end of the day, when I get home, I have a handful of trash in my bag. Every act to save the earth is inconvenient but we need to do this. We all have to have that inner voice telling us to do the right thing in terms of saving the environment.

I may not have the money to do something big for the environment but as a responsible individual, I am doing as much as I could to help. If all of us are aware of our actions and the repercussions, it will be a great step. So tell me, what have you done to save the Earth? 

Well, it's not to late to start now.

P.S.

Opinions regarding the Al Gore in Manila Talk: 

Yes, Al Gore's talk is inspirational and important but in my opinion, it should have been better if the talk was accessible for the masses. I do believe in the issue at hand and I admire Al Gore's dedication. When I first heard that Al Gore will be here live in Manila to talk about "An Inconvenient Truth", I was elated because finally, someone is giving importance to the environmental crisis and it would be an eye-opener to most people. However, as I saw the cost of the tickets for the said event, it was way too expensive. Truth be told, if I have never won a Bronze ticket from Anton Diaz, I would be having second thoughts about buying one. I wouldn't go there just because it costs that much... It definitely raised questions in my head regarding the conspiracy theories behind Al Gore's environmental causes.

And so I was there. It was a symposium but it felt like I was attending an elite-party event. Where are the people who are passionate about the environment? Students? Teachers? Most people there are the high-rollers and celebrities. Most people are those who could afford 15K tickets to something that I could hear and see from a DVD of Al Gore's Inconvenient Truth. And here we are talking about something that the masses should be aware of. Why charge that much? Why not educate those people who are more in need of these information? You think those highly-educated, top-of-the-social-class and disciplined people are those who throw trash carelessly on the streets? I think not.

Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was there. I was hoping NoyNoy Aquino was there so that when he's proclaimed president he would do something about it. Though I'm thankful some politicians were there. Why? Because as Al gore said, "Political will is the most renewable source." At least they could do something about it. It's about time.