Gore's flying visit questioned

Climate Science Coalition says Al Gore's claim in movie 'Inconvenient Truth that Pacific Islands sinking incorrect

30 October 2006
A group of scientists is questioning the worth of Al Gore's flying visit to New Zealand.

The former US vice-president will arrive for half a day next month to promote his film on global warming, An Inconvenient Truth. During the 80 minute movie, Gore argues for the need to take immediate action to combat climate change.

The New Zealand Climate Science Coalition does not accept arguments about man-made global warming. Spokesman Owen McShane claims Gore has been liberal with the truth in his film, when he says Pacific Islanders have been evacuated because their islands are drowning.

"There are no such refugees and what's more, the Pacific Islands are not sinking below the waves. It's a very active area. In some islands the sea level is falling and in others it's rising."

Mr McShane says Gore's film is simply an opening shot in a campaign to revive his presidential ambitions.

Since opening in May, An Inconvenient Truth has grossed more than $US23.7 million in America, making it the third highest grossing documentary behind Fahrenheit 9/11 and March of the Penguins. However its foreign box office takings have been considerably less, at $US4.1 million.

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