From the beginning, Al Gore has one major goal with this book: to convince readers that climate change is real, and that the world is coming to an important crossroads. Climate changed must be addressed now: “we are taking our time–too much time–in connecting the dots” (259). Every step of the way, he lays out evidence to prove that global warming is occurring, that it is caused by human activities, and that it is scientifically supported. The purpose of all this is to reason with readers and persuade them that action must be taken as quickly as possible to solve the issues before the Earth is “irreversibly scarred” (11).

This reality, according to Gore, is creating many different effects around the world, from the disappearance of entire landmasses to changes in current wind and ocean patterns, which were once “relatively stable” (149) but no longer can be counted on to remain so. He touches on coral reefs, major storms, the chemistry of the oceans, melting icecaps, and many other topics as evidence of the intersecting and complicated natural relationships that are being affected all over the world.

In doing this, he presents science in bite-size pieces so that readers can try to understand what is happening, though his focus remains the same throughout.