The main fault of this otherwise-fantastic movie, IMO, is that it didn't give many concrete action points as to what we could do as individuals to combat the problem. There was a brief list at the end, but it was just text during the credits, which most people turn off. There's a misconception by the makers of this kind of film (I also include Nova and National Geographic specials in this category) that presenting a clear picture of how dire the situation is, will spur people to action. In fact, I've found the opposite is true - it makes people feel overwhelmed and hopeless. But give ideas for even small things that can be done, and people start to feel like they can have a hand in the solution. If everyone did just small things, it would have a huge impact.
I should note that it's also not just a matter of throwing money at the problem, i.e. asking for donations. While there are a lot of great organizations that are working to protect the environment, save endangered species, and working on renewable resources, and they do need money to operate, I think it's more personally empowering to ask people to do things with their own hands, in their own lives, where they can see and experience the results first-hand.
I wish I could find this site or list again, but somewhere there's a site that shows exactly how much energy is saved by recycling just one aluminum can, one glass bottle, changing one incandescent lightbulb to a flourescent, etc. It shows that even what seems like a drop in the bucket is
not insignificant.
But those suggestions need to be presented to people, as clearly as the problem is presented. Most people won't go out and dig up that info on their own in a burst of determination - even if they're concerned, even if they're shocked. Even if you've been aware and upset about this problem for years, as is true of myself, there's a paralysis that sets in. Having a concrete set of action steps put before you, is a much more powerful motivator than just being shown the bad news.
I'd like to see Gore make a sequel to this movie with an action-oriented focus. Some years ago there were some great books along the lines of "50 Simple Things You Can Do to Save the Earth" :
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_b/104-5512430-4778318?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=50+Things+You+Can+Do+To+Save+the+Earth&Go.x=0&Go.y=0&Go=Go...and they had all kinds of great ideas and suggestions. Pick even just a few of them and do them consistently, and you've made a positive difference. But a movie format, in living color, with visual impact and sound and background music, is far more compelling in mass consciousness.
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