Former Vice President Al Gore is trying to save the world, not from the ultra-conservative Republicans but from the very real threat of global warming.

A self-proclaimed environmentalist and a staunch advocate of efforts geared at containing the environmental problem of global warming, Al Gore has put together all his theories and ideas on the subject in a documentary entitled "An Inconvenient Truth" which has enjoyed exposure in no less than the Cannes Festival last year.

Even as scientists question some of his theories, Al Gore nonetheless presents his ideas in an engaging and entertaining, sometimes even humorous, manner — something that would surprise most people since the former U.S. Vice President had the reputation of being a bit of a bore because of his often detached and somber exterior.

Obviously, Al Gore is excited about his film and is eager to bring his message across to people and this excitement is evident to viewers of the documentary. To better understand what his message is about, a brief review of basic facts about global warming may prove quite valuable.

The term global warming refers to a rise in temperature in the Earth's surface as a result of the presence of heat-trapping gases in the atmosphere. On the other hand, the so-called greenhouse effect refers to the natural phenomenon whereby the earth's surface maintains a certain degree of warmth and average temperature to allow living things to thrive on it. Tremendous heat from the sun causes the temperature of the earth's surface to rise. As this heat is radiated back towards space, it combines with a thin layer of gases in the atmosphere made up mostly of methane and carbon dioxide. This becomes an insulating layer that keeps the heat in place and warms the earth so that life can be nurtured and sustained. With this layer of gas in place in the atmosphere, the earth's temperature can remain at an average temperature of 59^o F (15^o C). Without this layer, the earth's temperature may drop as low as 0^o F (-18^o C) causing it to freeze over and killing all forms of life on the earth's surface.

Causes of Global Warming. Recent findings by scientists point to the fact that global warming is triggered by the activities of man since these activities bring about an increase in heat-trapping gases within the atmosphere. With fossil fuel as the main source of these heat-trapping gases, it becomes more obvious that everything we do impacts on the degree by which global warming increases. While maintaining a certain degree of warmth on the earth's surface is desirable, a concentration of these heat-trapping gases within the atmosphere may prove detrimental to the well-being of living things, including ourselves, and cause severe and destructive climatic changes.

Contrary to what others believe, the thinning of the ozone layer is an environmental problem that is entirely separate from the problem posed by global warming. While global warming and the greenhouse effect occur at the lower part of the earth's atmosphere called the troposphere, the ozone problem refers to the loss of ozone on the upper layer of the atmosphere known as the stratosphere. The thinning of the ozone layer is of serious concern because of the implications it carries since stratospheric ozone blocks harmful ultraviolet rays from entering the earth's atmosphere. Without the ozone layer, there would be nothing to protect us from harmful ultraviolet radiation.

Onset of Global Warming. Evidence to prove that, indeed, global warming is already taking place is available from several major studies conducted by the United Nations and other entities made up of climatologists and weather scientists. Some of these evidence include: an increase in the average temperature of the earth's surface; decrease of snow cover and the retreat of mountain glaciers in the 20^th century; rise in global average sea level and increase in average ocean water temperature.

Ways to Reduce Global Warming. The most important thing man can do to slow down the increase in global warming is to reduce the emission of heat-trapping gases and this may mean having to look for more efficient ways of energy utilization, encouraging the use of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power, and preservation of our forests since they function as storehouses for carbon.

While there are still many things to learn regarding ways by which global warming can be controlled, the current situation does not allow for any more time to be wasted. This, in essence, is the core of what Al Gore is telling everyone in his documentary.

In a capsule, what Al Gore is saying about global warming in his documentary entitled, "An Inconvenient Truth" is that there isn't any more time left. Global warming is posing a real threat to our very existence and may cause the annihilation of our planet if we do not act quickly.

We know that our persistent use of fossil fuel such as coal, gas and oil and the clearing of our forests have resulted in the increase of carbon dioxide gas in the earth's atmosphere producing more heat-trapping gases and dramatically increasing atmospheric temperature. The problem is aggravated by the fact that there is very little that anyone is doing about it.

Al Gore asserts that this indifference towards global warming and its devastating effects no longer has a place in our world today as the problem has become so pressing that dealing with it is no longer a political issue or agenda but a moral obligation that we need to undertake if only to be able to save the world for our future generations.

He supports his claims with evidence and lists down several obvious changes that have taken place due to global warming:

· The number of severe and highly destructive hurricanes has doubled in the last 30 years.

· Illnesses like malaria have spread to higher altitudes like the Andes which is 7,000 feet above sea level.

· The flow of ice from glaciers particularly in Greenland has more than doubled in the past 10 years.

· At least 279 species of plants and animals are moving closer to the poles in response to global warming.

Gore warns of dire consequences that may occur and which may actually be already waiting by our doorsteps if global warming continues to remain unabated. These include:

· Deaths from global warming may double in just 25 years and may reach an average of 300,000 people per year.

· Continued loss of shelf ice in places like Greenland and the Antarctica may result in the rise of global sea levels thereby devastating coastal areas worldwide.

· There will be more frequent and more intense heat waves.

· Droughts and wildfires will take place more often.

· A great number of our plant and wildlife species worldwide may become extinct by 2050.

As Gore assures everyone in his documentary, the means to curb the ill effects of global warming is within our reach and power. We only need to be more focused and more determined to see these through. We can help, he asserts, via the everyday little things that we do like perhaps by driving our cars less, discarding the use of charcoal and fossil fuels, and by insuring that we keep our forests lush and healthy.

Unfazed by criticisms from certain quarters that his documentary is way exaggerated and is too dismal in content, Al Gore stands pat in his beliefs and stands firm in his assertion that the time to band together and to address this problem of global warming is now. Otherwise, it may be too late for all of us.