Directors Bonni Cohen and Jon Shenk proposed following Gore around the world for two years and the idea clicked.
An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Poweris being released to theaters by Paramount Pictures on July 28.
Gosh, Id forgotten about that.
Credit: Jensen Walker/Paramount
Do you read all your critics?Well, Im aware of the deniers.
My staff puts together a daily summary of all the climate news stories around the world.
The [archconservative billionaire] Koch brothers paid to fly a hot-air balloon over my house.
And Ive developed a thick skin, for sure.
[Director] Davis Guggenheim certainly proved me wrong.
That wasnt really the source of my reluctance this time around.
The sequel is a very different kind of movie.
After a while, you live with these people for two years, you kind of forget theyre there.
Its just human nature to stop being constantly aware of it.
Honestly, I was astonished when I saw that in the film.
It sounds incredible, but I wasnt aware of the cameras presence.
But certainly the style of movie making that Jon and Bonni have perfected, it invites more of that.
And since then weve seen Hurricane Sandy in 2012, when itdidflood.
Every night on the television news now is like a nature hike through the Book of Revelation.
Just last week a million acres burned up in the Southern High Plains, thousands of cattle burned up.
You look at whats going on in Peru right now.
And some of these carbon polluters say, Oh, theres no problem.
His city is at the forefront of alternative energy.
What was that like?Oh, that was fun.
And he makes me optimistic.
There are now 30 Republican representatives who have changed positions on this issue, up from 17 last year.
That dam may break soon.
And thats also a sign of the continued changes in public opinion, right?Yes.
Just two weeks ago a congressman named Darrell Issa in San Diego switched sides.
There are going to be a lot more like him.
That would be enough for a working majority in the Senate as well.
Were not there yet.
Were not there yet in either chamber, but we will be.
So you are optimistic?Absolutely.
Thats even on an unsubsidized basis, its cheaper than electricity from burning coal or gas or oil.
That has changed the dynamics of this issue dramatically.
Just in the last six months weve seen the contract price for solar electricity come down.
It hasnt crossed that threshold everywhere yet but its in the process of doing so.
You met with Donald Trump shortly after the election.
Could you see him changing his position?I dont know.
With the right kinds of policies we could move even faster on these issues.
Will Trump consider reaching out to Democrats?
They say they are considering it but Ill believe it when I see it.
But were still in a moment thats pregnant with the possibility for great change.
And Im completely convinced were going to win this.
Is it too early to think about another film in this series?Well, yeah.
I love this one but its a bit early to be thinking about doing a third.
And youll probably think its not a great idea when the idea comes around.Yeah [laughs].
You know, Ive gotta keep my perfect record.
