global warming should be renamed "globalloney" (combining global, and baloney), and sneered at as the UNSCIENTIFIC political football it is... full of air and pointless, unless you admit that the purpose is to even out the wealth of all the world- a communist goal, and totally un-american.

Buddy Thompson, brenham, texas

Not all climatologists are in agreement with gore. As the following shows.
the film Gore pulls together evidence from every corner of the globe to convince us that climate change is happening fast, we are to blame, and if we don't act immediately, our Earth will be all but ruined. However, as you sit through the film, consider the following inconvenient truths:
(1) Near the beginning of the film, Gore pays respects to his Harvard mentor and inspiration, Dr. Roger Revelle. Gore praises Revelle for his discovery that atmospheric CO2 levels were rising and could potentially contribute to higher temperatures at a global scale. There is no mention of Revelle's article published in the early 1990s concluding that the science is "too uncertain to justify drastic action." (S.F. Singer, C. Starr, and R. Revelle, "What to do about Greenhouse Warming: Look Before You Leap. Cosmos 1 (1993) 28-33.)

Greg, Watkins, Minnesota

(5) Gore claims that sea level rise could drown the Pacific islands, Florida, major cities the world over, and the 9/11 Memorial in New York City. No mention is made of the fact that sea level has been rising at a rate of 1.8 mm per year for the past 8,000 years; the IPCC notes that "No significant acceleration in the rate of sea level rise during the 20th century has been detected."

Greg, Watkins, Minnesota

Throughout the film Gore displays his passion for the global warming issue, and it is obvious that he has dedicated a substantial amount of time to learning about climate change and the greenhouse effect. This leads to an obvious question. The Kyoto Protocol was negotiated in December of 1997 giving the Clinton-Gore administration more than three years to present the Protocol to the United States Senate for ratification. Given Gore's position in the senate and his knowledge and passion for global warming, one must wonder why then Vice President Gore did not seize on what appears to have been an opportunity of a lifetime?

Greg, Watkins, Minnesota

An Inconvenient Truth" is billed as the scariest movie you'll ever see. It may well be, but that's in part because it is not the most accurate depiction of the state of global warming science. The enormous uncertainties surrounding the global warming issue are conveniently missing in "An Inconvenient Truth."

Dr. Robert C. Balling Jr. is a professor in the climatology program at Arizona State University, specializing in climate change and the greenhouse effect.

Greg, Watkins, Minnesota

I understand the need to stop drastic global changes, and I agree that changes have to be made that include those proposed in the Kyoto Accords. If China and India are not under the same restrictions as set out by these accords, the United States signing them will not change the direction of the climate change. The number one polluter in the world is now China and without their cooperation, Kyoto will mean nothing.

John Hardt, Rockford, IL

>> This is also just the next scare tactic for socialist governments to increase in size and control over the energy sector

Hey Wen, YOU are employing a scare tactic. Forget about the alleged "left-wing agenda" right-wing radio TOLD you to fear and read scientists' reports. First things first.

>> Almost everything on this big round planet progresses in a cycle..right? .. Each effects the other..why are we so focused on a small 150-200 year spot on a ten million year time line?

Yes, Ralph. And eventually the universe might close in on itself, too. But, you better start paying attention to issues on a smaller time scale. Why? Melting the ice caps and migrating people from Florida to Canada is a huge expense. Stop being selfish and show concern for disappearing Pacific island nations. Not your problem??

With the housing meltdown, instead of spending money to bail out incompetent bankers and reckless borrowers, it's time to put unemployed people to work building windmills.

wunsacon, san diego, ca,

A quick thought for you to ponder....Almost everything on this big round planet progresses in a cycle..right? Some of the cycles are small..i.e. a flys life.. some are larger..i.e... the complete changing of a ecosystem..they all are interconnected. Each effects the other..why are we so focused on a small 150-200 year spot on a ten million year time line? Shouldn"t we look at a bigger picture and draw our conclusions there? We are contributors to the changes..no doubt..can we fix it in the next 150-200 years..let's stay realistic.

Ralph, Willcox, Arizona

I worked for NOAA and I assure you there are no high paid scientists there rolling over for the govt. The science is there and is world wide. Only an idiot would think that every scientist that agrees with global warming is paid off by someone somewhere for political purposes and only an idiot could ignore how we have ravaged the planet's resources and think there would not be some consequence. The big question here is 'what if they are right?' Is it really in mankinds best interest to sit back and do nothing and take that chance? Are you willing to let your children or your children's children pay the price for our negligence? The end result for doing absolutely nothing is ultimately mass extinction. Are you all really that sure of yourselves that you would take that risk?

Andy, Martinsburg, WV

Rita, and other naive environmentalists,
The 'science' and 'reporting' is just government paid.

This is all about money, and scare tactics. European governments are greedy, and are just trying to tax the US economy, and transfer wealth from the US (as they constantly try to do).

This is also just the next scare tactic for socialist governments to increase in size and control over the energy sector, and take more money from people via energy taxation and control. It is attempt to move energy to government control, and tax increases for everyone.

Especially in the US, we need to prevent government energy controls, and expanding the government. Those who have lived in Europe and Australia know that this just produces high prices for the people. We already are seeing government passing out millions of dollars of tax payer dollars to their buddies for contracts that do nothing to change anything, and justified solely by 'global warming'. Very scary.

wen, inglewood, ca

Al Gore is trying to find a way to make money and the US go broke. If global warming is so bad now why isn't Russia and China signing off on this? Answer that one MR. Gore!

john smith , kansas City, USA / MO

A few facts are worthy to note. There are only about fifty world class climatologists; it is a new science. Of this population, there are about ten who do not accept man made global warming. These academic titans do not lay down for coal companies; several withdrew from the UN IPCC in protest. This body is a political, not a scientific group. This is post doctoral science, either side could be correct. Science is not a democracy; one answer is correct, and a million can be wrong.
I am an energy engineer, with 30 + years in advanced technology, a score of nukes, two score fossil power plants, IGCC, fuel cells, solar, ethanol, and hydrogen fuel. It is a certainty that all alternate energy paths will skyrocket energy costs. It is not a matter of mass system unit cost optimization. The physics and chemistry are simply mediocre. The only things that will work is advanced technology, primarily improved thermal efficiencies, in our infrastructure, and conservation. Gore is wrong.

R. L. Hails Sr. P. E., Olney, MD

All of you who are praising Al Gore think about this. Part of the Kyoto Protocol is taxing the major countries of the world (mostly the US) to give to third world countries. And if you think it will be used to fight global warming and not just to line the pockets of third world leaders, you also believe in Santa Claus.

Also, while you are looking down on us who do not jump on the global warning woo is me wagon, research the history of Greenland. As you are worrying about the increase in temperature there check out what it has been over the last thousand years are so. This is not its warmest period.

Just today a news story was on Yahoo about a group of scientists saying that there was no proof that humans were the main cause of global warming.

Face it, the Kyoto Protocol is a money extortion plan. And, if all of you Al Gore groupies heard that Dick Cheney was buying carbon credits from a company he was part owner and president of, you would be calling him a hypocrite and wanting to hang him. Instead Al Gore used 30 times the energy of the average US home, flies private jets wasting fuel, and you think he is hero. WAKE UP!

William, Atlanta, GA

Meaningful action to halt global warming is already long overdue. To deliberately and knowingly delay taking definitive action, in 2007, by refusing to put the brakes on polluting corporations is nothing if not an environmental, social, and humanitarian crime of Biblical proportions. Apparently American leaders have sold out life on earth in favor of corporate greed.

We must demand responsible and honorable leaders who care about the future of life on earth, and elect a president who will take swift and meaningful action on this crucial issue. Otherwise we must look our children in the eyes and tell them we are responsible for the unnecessary horrors they will surely be forced to face.

Rita Campbell, Wasilla, USA

I think it is inspirational to see someone like Al Gore devoting his career to stopping climate change.

In fact he has inspired me to take up a career of emptying the sea with a sieve!

Zak Larue-Buckley, Leiciester,

All we get from our global and local politicans is talk, talk and more talk. The planet is dying and all they do is talk and posture and threaten to boycott if they don't get their own way. Climate change or rather planet decline is happening now, there is no question of this - it's in your face, everywhere .The time to talk is over, the time to DO SOMETHING is upon us.
We want action begats action begats action, not meeting begats meeting begats meeting.
We all know that like everything else that politicians pontificate on, that money and the so called interests of large global corporations are the real root of this no-action scenario. Wake up guys - before non of us ever wakes up again. Every day wasted is a day nearer the abyss and our elected representatives are still talking years before any real corrective action takes place!

Ron Sheldrick, Great Sampford, UK

"The real question is, what makes you all think that having 10 billion humans is somehow a good and sustainable thing? I know we don't have 10 billion yet, but we are nearing the point where this earth cannot, will not support more."

Quite right and while Catholic Priests run around the 3rd world telling people contraception is Evil, the population continues to grow.

There are two sure ways of reducing the population, (1) giving women the right to choose when and how they conceive (that is, contraception) and (2) reducing poverty.

It's ironic isn't it, that the "religion" of climate change is what our politicians are focused on, when in reality the real problem is over population and the consequent strain on limited resources that entails.

Dr Robin Laundon, London, UK

Regardless or whether Gore is right or wrong, he comes off as being a hypocrit. Look at his own lifestyle ! Vehicles, size of house, # of houses, etc. He's accusing but doesnt "walk the talk".

Is there an issue with Global Warming ? Yes. Is it caused by CO2 emissions? Quite possibly. Is the Bush administation going to lead here? No. Why would we expect that now?

This needs to come from the bottom up.

Fred , Prius owner, solar user user, tree planter

Fred , Bay Area, CA, USA

i am very happy that 'we' THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA have not fallen prey to the global warming farce! and i hope and PRAY that 'we' NEVER do! its not about our planet its about the 'cubic dollars' to made from algores little venture......... look at who is lining their pockets!!...........what a joke!!

verl , mead, ks. USA

"The United States, Japan, Russia and several other governments refused to accept any specific targets arguing that they would limit the scope of future talks."

So why is America the only country being slammed and abused?

James Jones, Columbus, USA

vive le gore! an american is saving us again. one word of observation - america cannot do it all itself - many americans think it can.

edward walpole-brown 111, wall, new jersey, u.s.a.

It's disheartening to see, over and over, comments suggesting that because none of this is "our" fault (the natural cycle argument) we should feel justified in doing nothing. No matter your opinion on the causes of the warming, it is here, and taking steps now can have an impact . Gore received the Nobel because this is in fact a world peace issue-- throughout human history, scarcity of resources has spawned violent conflict. Can you imagine the horror when 7-10 billion people are at war for clean water and arable land? These resources are simply not infinite, and it seems to make social, economic and basic moral sense to seriously revise our approach to industry and environmental protection, particularly as we now HAVE the knowledge and technology to do this! What is there to argue about?

afm, san francisco, ca,

I've been a project manager for 38 years and I can now choose which projects to take.

I refuse projects that do not have: (1) clear-cut, simply-stated objectives; (2) quantified targets and a means of measuring progress towards these; (3) a person or a group of people who own the project and who can decide on changes quickly.

Projects that do not meet these criteria are a waste of time.

Previous and current initiatives on climate change have met none of these criteria and I see no prospect of this being fixed.

This has nothing to do with politics or diplomacy. It is all about vested interests, delaying tactics and obfuscation.

Stephen Nelson, Le Mesnil-le-Roi, France

Look there is nothing that we can do about "global warming". The world is indeed warming as it as hundreds, thousands of times before.

The real question is, what makes you all think that having 10 billion humans is somehow a good and sustainable thing? I know we don't have 10 billion yet, but we are nearing the point where this earth cannot, will not support more.

Clearly, the only real answer is to decrease standards of living, and do away now with somewhere near 2 billion people. We do that and there will be no issue of warming.

We are so arrogant in our thinking that humans are somehow so special. We are a species that has our time now, but in time, sooner or later, we will be consigned to history, just like all other dominate species have before us.

Chris L, Euless, TX, USA

Forgive me if I am wrong, but hasn't the earth been through many, many periods of global warming and cooling? So surely this is a natural phenomenon? Perhaps man is contributing to the effect - remember, scientists cannot agree on this topic - but regarding previous ice ages, are you telling me that the ice melted as cavemen were driving around in their SUVs and going on holiday 7 times a year on low cost airlines?

Nick Simmons, Ottawa, Canada

It is not possible to put the genie back into the bottle. 75% of mankind now recognise that a long comfortable life with a roof over your head, warmth in winter and plenty of food is only possible if you are extravagent with your energy use.

However, I doubt if either a figure like mother Teresa or Mahatma Gandhi who lived modestly or in poverty would be more successful than Al Gore or gordon Brown. They are after all trying to counteract the visual media, fashion and advertising sectors who implore us unceasingly to buy and waste more, every minute of the day and night

Paul , northwich, england

Hmmm, sounds like the people who comment here are in desperate need of a proper education on the subject at hand. You should be concentrating on the real problem, that is the toxicity levels of pollutants that are biomagnifying in the environment and raising the potential of poisoning the ecosystem that supplies us with our food and our foods food. Wake up to the real threat that is already harming us. OMG, lets not forget about the rising occurrance of MSR (multi strain resistant) microbes - beware of the super bugs.

Jumbo Shawn, Lex, KY, US

wiseguy and Chris from Tampa are typical of the embarrassing types we have here in the US. They listen to these talk radio idiots who have been very successful in widening the gap between liberal and conservative. Compounding the problem, we have our own form of religious fundamentalism here, and that is one of the reasons we have Mr. Bush as president in thief. People here would rather prevents gays from being married than prevent global warming.

Rich, Union, NJ

Sheila Zovar what do you think his current actions are in aid of? While I believe that emissions of CO2 must be reduced to improve our breathing air, I do not believe, based on historical facts and explanations by other scientific experts who do not get the same prime time that Al Gore et al does, that global warming is caused by emissions but by the periodical solar effects: and it has happened before. We can do little about it except be ready and adapt to it.

Al Gore is one politician with a grudge and a penchant for publicity. But then they all seek publicity as a means to an end.

B J Deller, Marbella, Spain

To all taking a piece out of Al Gore - why are you making a personal attack on him for him expressing concern at the lack of action from the current US government? Is it because you cannot find fault with the argument so you try and dicredit the source? And the reason the USA is vital to the solution of global warming is because the USA is one of the biggest sources of the problem (about 25%). Bush is the most un-American president in the history of the United States. He cares only for the top minority of his own country and cares even less for the rest of the world. He stole the presidency first time around by trampling all over American values (justice and liberty for all? democracy? tell that that to all those wrongly robbed of their vote to ensure Bush won; he trampled democracy by manipulating media and the courts to prevent a recount and announced himself as president. I have no faith in the US government or institutions only the Aemrican people; they have been sold short by Bush

Jack Sprat, Bristol, UK

As a Christian, I believe that people can change, even for the better. Al Gore is a Christian as well. Christians believe in faith, hope and love, those 'theological virtues' infused into every human person at the moment of Baptism.

Or maybe I'm just being naive. Perhaps I ought to be a nihilist and say, 'Once wrong, always wrong.' Then I'd be entitled to feel all grim and pessimistic, even when something inside me says I ought to be more hopeful for the health of humanity and its future viability.

But then I'd be denying the Incarnation, ie that Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God by nature, took our full human nature -- in the womb of a virgin -- and redeemed it. I'd be denying Christ. Sorry. No can do.

I'm even willing to believe that Al Gore might speak his conscience on the human rights of the unborn. Then we Americans would have someone worth voting for, someone who transcends those tired left/right labels and just gets on with the task of being human.

Darryl, Bishop's Stortford via Dallas, England via Texas

Go Al. Tell it like it is!

Most of the world has awakened to the crisis that Global Warming represents and the opportunities for correction through the adoption of clean energy and sustainable technologies and lifestyles.

For the those who deny the science, their own eyes, and the inconvenient truth of global warming (especially misguided leaders, i.e. Bush/Cheney and company) they do not represent the future, rather they live in the past and follow a path to extinction...

The handwriting is on the wall, the US leadership will change political course for the better (can't get much worse) come the 2008 election.

Bill Bugbee, Portland, USA / OR

This guy is a complete hypocrite. He preaches this US is the one to blame nonsense, yet he takes private jets everywhere, has an electric bill that is over three thousand dollars a month and has multiple homes using lots of electricity. Anyone that takes this guy serious is greatly mistaken. China and India also are major contributors to this issue, NOT just the US. Every country is responsible for helping this issue. I understand that global warming is important and hope our government makes changes, but under Clinton and Gore as stated by others the same principles were in place, and nothing was being done. This guy wins the nobel prize, and all of a sudden becomes the posterboy for saing the planet?? If he really cared, he would take more trains that private jet trips. He is no different than those Hollywood hypocrites that peform save the earth benefits, yet all own private jets consuming millions of tons of fuel.

Chris, Tampa, USA

Wiseguy, the US did sign up to Kyoto when Clinton and Gore were in office, but it was the Republican controlled Congress that refused to ratify the treaty. George W. Bush also has refused to move for a ratification. Blame the Republican party, not Mr. Gore.

Mark Shaw, Doncaster, UK

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/2019349.stm
In 2002, it was George Bush who refused to sign the treaty. Are you misinformed or trying to spread bad feeling about someone who has devoted his life's work to saving the environment?
Please enlighten me as to how you can say the opposite of what is true?
Besides he is not championing the cause of Global warming. He is working to prevent it.
Perhaps you are only trying to spark debate and get people's backs up?

Mark, Bristol, England

Wiseguy is mistaken to suggest Gore did not sign the Kyoto Treaty. Al Gore signed the Kyoto Protocol on behalf of the United States on November 12, 1998. It was decided not to send it to the Senate for ratification, as it was understood that there was no prospect of it being ratified.

Simon, Sofia,

God bless President Gore for all he does! If only he would enter the race for President in 2008... I cannot help but think how different it all would have been if he was not cheated out of his Presidency in 2000.

Sheila Zovar, Santa Monica, CA, USA

I am surprised that Al Gore is championing the cause of global warming. I am also of the view that he is an unworthy recipient of the Nobel Prize. We must not forget as Vice President of the United States he refused to sign the Koyoto Protocol. It is not only today that the US has been deliquent in adopting measures to reduce greenhouse gases, but since Mr Gore was Vice President. It is a shame how soon we forget the past.

wiseguy, bronx, ny