FOXNews.com - Gore's Global Warming Film Gets Rave Reviews From Climate Scientists - Science News | Current Articles

FOXNews.com - Gore's Global Warming Film Gets Rave Reviews From Climate Scientists - Science News Current Articles

Tonight my husband, my 13 year old-daughter, her girlfriend, and my 10 year old son went to see An Inconvenient Truth, Al Gore's documentary about global warming. Other than me, my son was the only one that really wanted to go, but I let everyone know (other than Kelsey's friend) that staying home wasn't an option. Kelsey thought it would be "boring", too much science. She couldn't have been more wrong. And we all agree - including Kelsey - everyone on the planet needs to see this movie.

Al Gore presents just the right amount of scientific fact to wake us all up to an incredibly scary issue. Our planet and our lives are in jeopardy IF we don't make changes NOW. In fact, I walked out wondering if it could be too late. AND I am an optimist. Kelsey said she is not sure if she wants to have kids. My husband said the movie should be shown in every school. I said that the movie should be shown in every business.

This is a movie that matters. It matters more than any other movie you might consider seeing this year. And guess what, it's time to wake up and smell the coffee.

As I have said before, we are not bad people. We are simply unaware of the impact of our actions. This film lets us clearly understand the impact we are already having on the planet. In the movie, Al Gore writes these two equations. Old Habits + Old Technology = Predictable Results. Old Habits + New Technology = Unforeseen Consequences. He uses the example of how warfare changed as we went from simple weapons like spears to guns, tanks, and then the atomic bomb. Suddenly, we became aware that our old habits of taking up arms could destroy the planet! Well, in every industry, in every past-time, we are using new technology that requires energy to do it's thing! Much of that energy burns and adds carbon into the atmosphere, thickening the blanket that keeps us warm. Unfortunately, this is causing some unforeseen consequences... the ice caps are melting. The hottest 10 years on record on the planet have occured in the last 14 years. Check out the climate change facts. The unforeseen consequences are actually very visible in this film, and the path ahead looks very dim, unless we collectively open our eyes and take action.

So see the movie. Bring your kids. Go with friends. Organize a group to attend together. Read the book. Click here for some actions to get started - as a citizen.

And now let's talk a little bit about one of the IBM Values--Innovation that Matters to our company, our clients and the world.... Where there is a challenge- - like global warming, there is an opportunity. In this case, a tremendous opportunity to innovate. As corporate and global citizens, we need to leverage our research and development, our existing technologies and our ingenuity and creativity to find more energy efficient and environmentally sound business, engineering, and production processes! AND we need to design and develop energy efficient, environmentally sound products! And in IBM, we are doing some of that. I say, let's kick it up a notch or two (or ten!).

Most of us have an innate desire to live a life that matters. Sometimes, we think it's enough to raise a loving child, or help a friend, and these are important actions. I am asking you each to consider playing bigger - maybe even playing a Bigger Game. Like Al Gore. His game field is the planet. His compelling purpose is to wake us up so we can save it. I'm in - how about you?