A Really Inconvenient Truth

A REALLY INCONVENIENT TRUTH

Al Gore’s 2006 film, "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. In his eye-opening film, 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 shows that capitalism systemically and inevitably leads to environmental breakdowns like those described by Al Gore. The values that sustain capitalism -- the obsessive quest for money and the accumualation of material wealth and the domination of others -- must be replaced by social values such as compassion, cooperation, generosity, and humility. These humane values are not only important for happiness, they are now essential for survival.

Wheelchair accessible at 411 28th Street entrance

Before and after the film, everyone's invited to indulge in our Humanist Vegetarian Tea House

$5 donations are accepted