Free Copies of “An Inconvenient Truth”

Ben Rimes

As a last minute holiday freebie, or perhaps a marketing stunt to raise awareness of their site, Participate.net is giving away 50,000 DVD copies of the controversial Al Gore sponsored environmental movie, An Inconvenient Truth. The catch? You have to be an educator. As “a growing community of film lovers and activists who are dedicated to engaging their minds, sharing their passions, and improving the world around them”, Participate.net hosts forums, blogs, and promotes movies and other media that helps raise awareness of important social, political, and environmental issues.

While I’m not trying to push any one agenda (human-induced global warming vs. natural warming of the Earth), I agree with many others that true discussion and debate needs a catalyst. Having worked this last summer in an independent bookstore, I saw first hand several curious customers flipping through the pages of the book version of An Inconvenient Truth. It sold well enough, but whether those that picked it up bought the book or not, they all had something to say about Mr. Gore or the issue of global warming. Just imagine all of the great discussion you could have with your students. You could talk about technology’s role in global warming, how humans have responded to the science involved with the issue, and then how they could create a blog or forum around the issue, making sure to give both sides a fair shake. At the very least, you might introduce some students to the idea that all technology is not necessarily environmentally friendly; some of the benefits we receive from electricity, high definition TVs, and computers, also have environmental costs when it comes to production and disposal. There’s also a great resource page for educators that want to use the movie in their classrooms, complete with lesson plans, discussion topics, and community outreach programs.

If you’re an educator, you’ll need to grab your school’s tax ID code and enter it on the site. I’m assuming that’s to verify you are in fact an educator. The giveaway ends January 18th, or whenever they run out of DVDs. Warm wishes this holiday season, and enjoy the freebie!

Participate.net’s “An Inconvenient Truth” Giveaway

news courtesy of Boing Boing via Jim Coe @ BionicTeaching

6 comments

  1. I was so happy to see that this was happening. I think the film definitely leads to much needed awareness and discussion.
    I was also happy to see this because, if a report on MSNBC was true (and I have no reason to believe it wasn’t) – this film was offered to the National Science Teachers’ Association – 30,000 copies. They refused it saying that so many of their funders were from big oil companies that if they accepted this free gift they would offend these funders and they were afraid of losing monetary donations. I thought that was disgusting. Who are we trying to appease – the nig money or the betterment of a student’s education?
    I was thrilled to read this.
    Judi Wolf

  2. Great. Now all I have to do is get hold of the Federal tax ID# when no one is at school. 🙁
    I know the principal would be thrilled to get a copy.

  3. I sent an e-mail to my building secretary and got the number from her. If you have the secretary’s personal e-mail, and let her know the situation, I’m sure she’d be able to get it for you. She may even have the number memorized (crossing my fingers), or someone may be going in and out of school over the break.

    No worries if you don’t get one Rick. I signed up for one, and I’d be happy to lend it to you if I get a copy.

  4. Got it. It was on my 1099 from last year.
    Thanks for the notice. I check your blog on a regular basis. I emailed the principal and she was very excited.

  5. One of our classes at the University of Tasmania (Sustainability and the triple bottom line) was hoping to use An Inconvenient Truth as a major part of the course content.

    Because it is a distance unit, we would need to distribute it. I think that’s part of the idea behind the film. Our Dean of Teaching and Learning had a copy and the last message we received from Paramount was that we could but we are afraid we wuld be breaking copyright law. Is there a contact I could use to follow this up (Al Gore or Paramount or someone)?

    Many thanks!

    Hi Beverly
    Are you able to use the one that your fellow lecturer purchased. If so i will reply to your email with permission to use it (with the usual strict guidelines of course).
    Best
    J

    John Andrews
    Senior Brand Manager
    New Release
    Paramount Home Entertainment
    +61 2 9087 8920

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