I didn’t watch Gore’s documentary, "An Inconvenient Truth," to be convinced that global warming is occurring or that it is a major threat, or that we need to act now if we’re going to prevent catastrophic damage to our planet. I went because I wanted to better understand the how and why, and to learn what I can do to make a difference.

The film provided everything I sought, and more.

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I liked Al Gore better in the movie than when I voted for him for president, and maybe that’s no accident.

The film’s tone was neither fire-and-brimstone nor arrogant and preachy. I found Gore engaging, honest, passionate and very human. The movie is as much a documentary about him as it is about global warming, and I liked the way the story of his 40-year crusade to spread the word about global warming unfolded within the bigger story of climate change on the Earth.

I was surprised to see so many political references, but I shouldn’t have been. After all, one of the film’s taglines is "political will is a renewable resource," and, unfortunately, altered memos, persecuted scientists and a certain unsigned treaty are part of America’s global warming story.

Most surprising, though, was the fact that seeing a brief rehash of the 2000 presidential election debacle did not dredge up feelings of frustration and disappointment. I found myself thinking that maybe things happen for a reason, and this is what Al Gore was meant to do.

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When it comes to saving the planet, my family is slightly above average in its efforts, but not fanatical. We have compact fluorescent light bulbs and energy-efficient appliances. The average fuel efficiency for our two vehicles could be better, but we minimize trips and put fewer-than-average miles on our vehicles each year. We wash clothes in cold water, and we’re pretty good about turning off the TV, computer and lights when we’re not using them. We recycle, although I can never seem to remember to take my plastic bags to the grocery store.

So, aside from running for Congress or trading in my car for a bicycle, what can I do to make a difference?

I went to the website referenced at the end of the film, www.climatecrisis.net, and learned a few things.

For example, I had no idea so much energy could be saved by unplugging electronics such as VCRs when they’re not being used. According to Gore, the power used to keep display clocks and memory chips working accounts for 5 percent of Americans’ domestic energy consumption — and sends 18 million tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere each year.

I never would have guessed that eating less beef could help. According to Gore’s website, methane is the second most significant greenhouse gas, and cows are one of the biggest methane producers.

And who knew that wrapping your water heater in an insulation blanket would save 1,000 pounds of carbon dioxide a year?

It’s nice to know that, collectively, the small choices we make could have as big an impact as our votes at the ballot box.

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Al Gore passionately believes we have a moral imperative to change our ways and says the first step is for nations, communities and individuals to recognize that global warming is a serious threat that needs to be addressed now, not someday. He makes a compelling case not only that it is happening because of our habits, but also that it is already causing problems such as record floods, droughts, storms, heat waves, the loss of animal species and the emergence of new diseases.

The movie gave me a much clearer picture of what could happen in just the next 50 years. I left the theater convinced that this is not some vague mission to save the planet or some future civilization. This could be about saving my daughters.

From what I’ve read, most climate scientists agree that Gore’s research is sound, even if some of them disagree with his optimism. Maybe the cynics are right and it is too late to save the world. And maybe not.

I don’t know about you, but either way, I’d like to be able to tell my grandchildren that I tried to help.

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Lisa Miller is a freelance writer who lives in Oneonta. She can be reached at lisamiller44@hotmail.com.