It’s hard to believe that by 2050, global warming may raise the world’s temperature enough to melt away most glaciers, elevating sea levels and storm frequency, all of which would profoundly affect humans, plants and animals alike.

Of course there are fluctuations in global climate temperatures, but those events are part of the ‘domino effect’ many of the world’s top scientists, after decades of research on human activity and its effects on the planet, say will occur.

Within the past two years, efforts such as the United Nation’s Kyoto Treaty have raised global awareness slightly.

Yet the United States did not sign the treaty, and President George W. Bush continuously says he does not believe in global warming.

Tonight, however, Syracuse University and State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry students and the surrounding Syracuse community will have the opportunity to educate themselves further on the harmful effects of global warming-and more importantly, work towards doing something about it.

Al Gore, former vice president and 2000 presidential candidate, will speak at the Landmark Theater in downtown Syracuse at 7:30 p.m. Gore’s lecture will be based on his book, documentary and slideshow presentation all titled ‘An Inconvenient Truth.’

The whole event is a collaborative effort between the Student Association, University Union Lectures and University Lectures. The night is a celebration of SA’s 50th anniversary, but more importantly a chance to educate the SU community and start taking action against global warming, said Ryan Kelly, SA chief of staff.

‘We have everything we need to begin solving this crisis, with the possible exception of the will to act,’ Gore writes in the inside cover of his book. ‘But in America, our will to take action is itself a renewable resource.’

And renewable it is.

Scientists, including Gore’s Harvard University professor, Roger Revelle, who was also a leading researcher in global warming, have devoted their studies to conducting experiments on human affect on the environment since the 1950s.

Global warming is a complicated issue to grasp, and has been debated for years, but scientists keep conducting experiments and collecting data that proves global warming is affecting the environment, said Suzanne Baldwin, a professor of geology at SU.

Gore’s presentation of scientific facts through the book, film and his lectures simplify the main concepts.

Baldwin agrees.

‘He’s consulted with scientists and from what I’ve seen, it’s clear,’ Baldwin said, commending Gore for his effort to publicize the issues of global warming.

Gore simplifies global warming into several main points in all three of his works, a book, film and slideshow, all entitled ‘An Inconvenient Truth’:

Greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide, have been increasing at a rapid rate annually for the past 60 years. These gases are created by human activities such as gasoline-powered vehicles and industrial factories.

‘Scientists have been debating for decades now whether its human induced,’ Baldwin said. She adds that she thinks human beings are the source of the heightened carbon dioxide level, but there is also natural variation in global climate.

These gases are being kept within the earth’s atmosphere, where they are increasing the world’s annual temperature. The more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, the more the temperature increases because more sun-produced heat is trapped within it.

‘If you mess with the atmosphere, there’s going to be an effect. If you mess with the hydrosphere, there’s going to be an effect,’ Baldwin said, reiterating the ‘domino effect’ caused by global warming.

The temperature increase is melting polar ice caps, which are the leading supplies of the world’s drinkable water. Additionally, Arctic and Antarctic permafrost is melting as well, which is causing building foundations to crumble.

The global melting also raises the oceanic water level world-wide.

In addition, a world-wide temperature increase causes changes in precipitation. This is why certain parts of the world are now seeing extreme droughts, while others experience heightened storms such as hurricanes, tornados and cyclones.

All of this information and data collected aside, the main point of Gore’s works is that something needs to be done by the global community. The world cannot ignore the situation at hand.

Baldwin agrees.

‘It’s a global problem and it’s going to take a global solution,’ Baldwin said. ‘We need some leadership. It’s not clear how this is going to be played out.’

Gore has been a life-long nature lover and environmental advocate since the 1970s, as he states in his book. However, his environmental presentations add personal flair, which many critics say was missing from his 2000 presidential election campaign.

He mentions jokingly at the beginning of the documentary that he is the former would-be president of the United States, referencing the results of the 2000 election.

He also adds personal stories about those within both his family and the environmental community who have helped him advocate against global warming.

Gore’s lecture promises to be similar to his other ‘An Inconvenient Truth’ works.

Such a presence as a former vice president has sent SU and ESF community affiliates flocking to the lecture. The speech has been sold out for at least a week.

In addition to the lecture, the ESF campus will hold a brainstorming event on Friday, Sept. 15 to present ideas of how the Syracuse community can best contribute to the fight against global warming.

Published on September 13, 2006 at 12:00 pm