Childhood Obesity

Al Gore uses visual media to enhance his presentation in An Inconvenient Truth.  This is done in many ways: photographs, computerized images (showing the projection of global warming problems in the future), graphs and charts.  All of these images work as a form of visual rhetoric aiding in getting his message across.

Al Gore’s presentation raising awareness on global warming using many photographs of well known places. These photographs are used in a before and after manner, showing the effect global warming has had on the amount of snow and ice, which used to exist in excess.  The depletion of these ice caps is emphasized by the visual images shown.

In addition to real life photographs, Gore also uses computerized images of the globe.  These images are areal shots of the world.  They are used to demonstrate how the water levels of the oceans would be effected by melting ice caps in the north and south poles.  Using a digital technology, Gore shows the slow increase of the water levels….and the gradual disappearance of land.  He explains how many millions of people currently live in these areas, which could someday be underwater. For an emphasis of the severity of the issue, he relates it to Hurricane Katrina.  Imagine this flooding on a much, much larger scale.

A last form of visual media used in An Inconvenient Truth is graphs and charts.  As discussed in my previous post, I think the chart concerning the CO2 levels on Earth is the most effective.  As the 50 year projection was shown, the data literally expanded off of the chart.  Gore used a scissor lift to bring himself up to the level of the chart, which extended onto another screen.  This supplements the lecture he is given, and emphasizes the severity of the issue.  If nothing else, it grabs the audience’s attention…which I would assume is the main goal of the presentation and film.

Al Gore also uses humor to enhance his presentation.  He starts off by saying, “I’m Al Gore, I used to be the next president of the United States of America.”  He uses sarcasm to poke fun of the political figures who deny the existence and problem of global warming.   Instead they spend their time and resources focusing on the threat of terrorism.  Gore states, “Should we prepare for other threats besides terrorists?”  He also uses a cartoon in the beginning of his presentation to define global warming.  These instances of humor help to keep the audiences attention.  It turns attention to the “other side” of the issue in a sarcastic way (in efforts to convince the audience to believe in his ideas and presentation).

There are many ways in which An Inconvenient Truth is an effective form of risk communication with regards to global warming.  Continuing to analyze the film has greatly helped me learn effective uses of rhetoric.  Visuals can be very beneficial, but it is important to use them in the appropriate manner.