Many of us have probably seen Al Gore’s “An Inconvenient Truth” which was released in 2006, providing great insight into the growing issue of climate change and global warming. This film was a first glance for many at the detrimental effects of global warming and certainly popularized the environmental movement.

Now, over ten years later, we are being given the opportunity to see what kind of progress has been made, as well as the huge issues we still need to overcome. In July of 2017, “An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power” will be released. Former Vice President Al Gore will be tackling current energy issues, as well as the tumultuous political situation in the United States since Trump’s presidency began. It was a very timely release of the trailer given Trumps recent “executive order rolling back Obama’s climate change policies”, which has caused panic among many environmental groups and citizens in the United States and all over the world. This executive order mainly targets “Obama’s clean power plan that required states to slash carbon emissions from power plants – a critical element in helping the United States meet its commitments to a global climate change accord reached by nearly 200 countries in Paris in 2015” (CBC). While some American corporations have supported Trumps order with the idea that many jobs will be created, many have recognized that this is “an assault on American values” and even more so, a serious concern to the countries around that world that have committed to clean energy (CBC).

I think this film is coming at a much needed time, when those who weren’t previously educated on climate change through the first film will have the opportunity to gain a better understanding of how close we are getting to sustainable energy sources, as well as what is standing in the way of getting there completely. “An Inconvenient Sequel” tries to focus on the positive progress that has been made toward cleaner energy and the Paris goals, but it also recognizes that, so far, it has not been enough. The timing is no accident and it will be interesting to see the reaction amongst American and around the world to this upcoming film.