“The debate over the science of climate change is well and truly over, as demonstrated by the publication of [the ] report by the IPCC,” Miliband says. “Our energies should now be channeled into how we respond in an innovative and positive way in moving to a low-carbon future. I was struck by the visual evidence the film provides, making clear that the changing climate is already having an impact on our world today, from Mount Kilimanjaro to the Himalayan mountains. As the film shows, there’s no reason to feel helpless in the face of this challenge. Everyone can play a part, along with government and business, in making a positive contribution in helping to prevent climate change.”

“With rising sea temperatures, melting ice caps and frequent reminders about our own ‘carbon footprints,’ we should all be thinking about what we can do to preserve the planet for future generations,” Johnson adds. “Children are the key to changing society’s long-term attitudes toward the environment. Not only are they passionate about saving the planet, but children also have a big influence over their own families’ lifestyles and behavior. Al Gore’s film is a powerful message about the fragility of our planet, and I’m delighted that we are able to make sure every secondary school in the country has a copy to stimulate children into discussing climate change and global warming in school classes.”

The DVD will go to 3,385 secondary schools in England, part of a Sustainable Schools year of action to make them models of sustainable best practices.

Book Pick of the Day: An Inconvenient Truth

An Inconvenient Truth: The Crisis Of Global Warming will be available in April. The 208-page book, created for children 11 and older, will be published by Viking Children’s Books/ Rodale Books.

“There is no doubt that young people today are more aware of environmental problems than my generation ever was,” says Gore, who will donate all of his profits to the campaign to fight global warming. “As this new generation comes of age, it faces the enormous challenge of solving global warming. That’s why I felt it was so important to adapt An Inconvenient Truth for them. In order to fix this crisis, everyone needs to be involved. I have faith that young people have both the ability and the enthusiasm to put a stop to global warming.”

Doug Whiteman, president of Penguin Young Readers Group, is excited about bringing Gore’s message to a younger audience.

“As I sat in a theater watching Vice President Gore deliver his message on film,” he says, “it struck me that if we are to make an impact on the problem of global warming in the near future, we must find a way to bring the message to a younger audience—to the generation that has the opportunity to effect real change.”

Climatecrisis.org, the film’s official website, provides great information for Organic Authority readers who are concerned about global warming (and their skeptic friends), including a section that explains the fundamental science.

You can also download a well-designed handout called 10 Things to Do (PDF file) to help stop global warming. I encourage you to save it to your computer, print out copies and distribute them to friends, family and coworkers. The steps are surprisingly simple, mirroring fundamental concepts of organic living—from replacing regular light bulbs with fluorescents to regularly checking tire inflation, which improves gas mileage.

If you’ve already seen the film, please let us know what you think by posting a comment below.

The former vice president’s work cites research from top international scientists, accompanied by photographs, charts and illustrations that document the reality of global warming—and it offers a chilling wakeup call. Gore argues that global warming is not just about science and politics; it’s a moral issue that requires us to take action.

Predictably, Gore is already being attacked by conservative anti-environmental groups that embrace junk science, many of which are funded by the oil and energy industries (no shock there). The Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI) has released two 60-second TV ads that bemoan “global warming alarmism.” Per Washington Post staff writer Jeffrey H. Birnbaum, the group, “which widely publicizes its belief that the earth is not warming cataclysmically because of the burning of coal and oil, says Exxon Mobil Corp. is a ‘major donor’ largely as a result of its effort to push that position.” (Oh, puke…)

Haven’t you had enough of politicians who place lobbyists’ dollars above American lives and the welfare of the planet? It’s time to invoke that famous line from one of my favorite movies, Network: “I’m mad as hell, and I’m not going to take this anymore.” Filmed 30 years ago, it was eerily prescient, and I urge you to read protagonist Howard Beale’s complete tirade about unemployment, polluted air and food that’s “unfit to eat.”

Call your elected officials’ offices, ask to speak to their legislative aides, and voice your displeasure with the way our country is going. It’s time to take back the streets (and parks, beaches and atmosphere). In an election year, they need to know we’re paying attention…and we’re mad as hell.