Sea Level Rise
How accurate were Al Gore's climate predictions in his 2006 documentary 'An Inconvenient Truth'?
Nearly 20 years after the release of Al Gore's 'An Inconvenient Truth,' climate scientists are evaluating which predictions were accurate and which were not. The film is frequently cited by climate change deniers as evidence that climate change is a hoax, based on perceived failed predictions. However, as the speaker notes, scientific understanding is complex and requires nuance, which can be difficult to convey in an entertaining documentary format. The analysis shows that while some predictions may have been overstated for dramatic effect, the documentary did correctly identify key climate change trends occurring today.
Watch clip answer (00:55m)
ABC News
00:00 - 00:55
What changes have occurred in glaciers and sea levels since 2000, and were Al Gore's climate migration predictions accurate?
Since 2000, global warming has led to the disappearance of thousands of glaciers around Earth according to the UN Environmental Program. Arctic sea ice minimum extent has declined by 12.2% per decade since 1979, and sea levels have risen nine inches around the world since 1800s. However, Al Gore's specific prediction about Pacific nations' citizens evacuating to New Zealand due to sea level rise did not materialize as documented climate migration. Climate migration occurs for multiple reasons beyond sea level rise, as illustrated by communities like Isle de Jean Charles in Louisiana being affected by various climate-related factors.
Watch clip answer (00:41m)
ABC News
02:15 - 02:57
What claim did Al Gore make about Pacific island nations that was debunked?
Al Gore claimed that citizens of Pacific island nations had to evacuate to New Zealand due to sea level rise and Antarctic sea ice changes. However, Ginger Zee points out there was no documented climate migration supporting this claim. Global sea levels have risen nine inches since the 1800s, but this hasn't led to the mass evacuations Gore described. Zee emphasizes that climate migration is complex with multiple causes, not just the single factor Gore suggested in his statement.
Watch clip answer (00:24m)
ABC News
02:28 - 02:53
Did Al Gore's documentary accurately predict that New York City would go underwater?
Al Gore's documentary 'An Inconvenient Truth' featured a simulation showing potential flooding to the World Trade Center site, but this was based on a specific scenario where the Greenland ice sheet broke apart - something that hasn't happened. According to Ginger Zee's analysis, while not everything Gore predicted was perfect, the documentary did contain substantial scientific backing. The simulation was presenting a hypothetical extreme scenario rather than a definite prediction. This demonstrates how climate change communications often balance between presenting concerning possibilities while maintaining scientific accuracy. The core climate science in Gore's film remains valid even if some specific visualizations represented worst-case scenarios.
Watch clip answer (00:24m)
ABC News
00:50 - 01:15