News Article

The dangers of climate change - Al Gore’s global warming message presented


3/25/2008 4:05:14 PM


Carl Duivenvoorden delivered Al Gore’s global warming presentation on March 12 in the lecture theatre of the DSB Fowlow building at College of the North Atlantic’s Bay St. George campus in Stephenville.

A very powerful message about the effects of global warming was heard by those who took in Carl Duivenvoorden’s delivery of Al Gore’s global warming presentation – An Inconvenient Truth.

The presentation took place on March 12 in the lecture theatre of the DSB Fowlow building at College of the North Atlantic’s (CNA) Bay St. George campus in Stephenville.

“It was a compelling presentation that reminded us of the power of one – that even though climate change issues can seem overwhelming, individuals can contribute in specific ways to solutions,” says Glenn Kirby, Community Studies instructor with CNA.

“Having said that, climate change is a global, macro issue and global political action is required. As individuals we have an obligation to get politically involved in the process.”

Sentiments echoed by Junior Grandy, stock-handler with the college.

“Carl Duivenvoorden, was a great presenter and it was a privilege to partake in such a presentation. The presentation was very informative as it demonstrated and highlighted the past mistakes and the global lackadaisical approach towards climate,” he says.
“It presented a bleak outlook for upcoming generations, unless action is taken now, starting with each and every one of us. We all have a role to play in the protection of the environment.”

According to Stan Moller, instructor of the environmental citizenship class at Bay St. George campus, the presentation really drove home the problem we could be facing in the future.

“I volunteered to organize Carl Duivenvorden’s public presentation in Stephenville and I decided to make it a group project for my Environmental Citizenship class,” says Moller.

“We’ve already spent much of the semester learning about global climate change and this was a good opportunity to educate ourselves and a wider cross section of people from the local community and the college. We had a little over 60 people, a pretty good turnout.”

He says the presentation highlighted the things we take for granted every day.

“Carl’s presentation of the facts of global warming kind of hit you right between the eyes. (It was) very powerful and it makes you want to go out and work on making the changes required, for the sake of your children and grandchildren. We talked about some solutions, like using a gas efficient vehicle, car pooling, walking to work, that sort of thing. But, the facts presented by Carl indicated that the negative effects are happening faster than anyone predicted and to me we need to make significant changes in our lifestyles sooner, rather than later,” continues Moller.

“We need to build much smaller houses, drive less, have fewer possessions, take up gardening, emphasize human powered recreation and teach our kids to aspire to a simpler lifestyle, for the sake of the planet and all humanity.”

Bernadine Noonan, a second year journalism student enrolled in the environmental citizenship course, also attented the presentation.

“I feel that he did a great job at presenting the impacts that climate change has on our environment, that is, for people who aren''''t already aware of those impacts. Those who already know about it probably wouldn''''t have found the presentation interesting,” she says.

“I also think that he was really rehearsed in answering the audience''''s questions, and did not want to take on the challenge in answering those people who were the ‘devils advocate’. Yes, it is nice to be positive, but we shouldn''''t sugar coat things and sometimes being blunt can get the truth out there. Other than that, the presentation was very informative and gave the reality of how being reckless to the environment can be harmful.”

Duivenvoorden, who from Fredericton, New Brunswick, is one of only two Atlantic Canadians tasked with spreading Al Gore’s message on climate change. He was in Nashville, Tennessee from April 9-11, 2007 for a training program led by former US Vice President Al Gore.
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For more information contact:
Glenda McCarthy
Public Relations Assistant
College of the North Atlantic
(709) 643-6408