A Really Inconvenient Truth – March 12, 2008

In 2006, Al Gore’s “An Inconvenient Truth” woke the world up to the dangers of global warming. But, argues Joel Kovel, while we should be grateful to Gore for sounding the alarm, we also need to go far beyond his reading of the causes of this crisis and of what needs to be done about it. What is “really inconvenient” is the truth that global warming is directly related to the uncontrolled growth of the dominant world capitalist system – a system in which Al Gore has played a leading role, for which reason he (and the whole movement he represents) avoids the heart of the matter and distracts us with moral uplift and technological fixes. Joel Kovel insists, rather, that we need to address – and transform – the basic social dynamics that lead to the regime of cancerous production and mindless consumption. Only by facing up to what is “really inconvenient” can we win through to a livable future.

Joel Kovel has written several books, is editor of the quarterly journal “Capitalism Nature Socialism” and in 2000 he sought the presidential nomination of the US Green Party.

Discussion to follow.

Showtime is 7 p.m. at Edward Milne Community School theatre – 6218 Sooke Rd. Admission is by donation.

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