1) An Inconvenient Truth documents Al Gore's efforts to educate people about the threats of global warming by presenting factual information in an engaging way. 2) It shows Gore's personal journey from his early interest in environmental issues in college to his work as a senator and presidential candidate on this issue. 3) The film illustrates Gore's passion and commitment to addressing global warming as one of the most important moral challenges facing civilization.

1. Assignment
Identifying the elements of positive psychology in Al Gore’s
life through the documentary – An Inconvenient Truth
Submitted by Anjani Raja Manuri-EPGDBM-04 D02

2. An Inconvenient Truth is a passionate and inspirational look at
former Vice President Al Gore's battle to halt global warming's
deadly progress by exposing the myths and misconceptions that
surround it. In this intimate portrait of Gore and his "travelling global
warming show," Gore comes across as never before in the media -
funny, engaging, open and intent on alerting citizens to this
"planetary emergency" before it's too late.
Intertwined with the bracing facts and future predictionsis the story
of Gore's personal journey: from an idealistic college student who
first saw a massive environmental crisis looming; to a young Senator
facing a harrowing family tragedy that altered his perspective; to the
man who almost became President but instead returned to the most
important cause of his life. With an emphasis on hope, An
Inconvenient Truth ultimately shows us that global warming is no
longer a political issue but rather, the biggest moral challenge facing
our civilization today.
As much about the man as about greenhouse gases, this candid,
powerful and informative documentary illuminates some of the
myths surrounding both of its subjects equally well.
A long-time advocate for the environment, Gore presents a wide
array of facts and information in a thoughtful and compelling way.
Al Gore strips his presentations of politics, laying out the facts for the
audience to draw their own conclusions in a charming, funny and
engaging style, and by the end has everyone on the edge of their
seats, gripped by his haunting message.

3. This documentary also evidences some of the aspects of positive
psychology which are either reflections seen in the movie or are
indicative from Al Gore’s life.
FLOW
Flow, or a state of absorption in one's work, is characterized by
intense concentration, loss of self-awareness, a feeling of being
perfectly challenged (neither bored nor overwhelmed), and a sense
that "time is flying." Flow is an intrinsically rewarding experience,
and it can also help one achieve a goal (e.g. winning a game) or
improve skills (e.g. becoming a better chess player)
According to positive psychologist MihályCsíkszentmihályi, what you
are experiencing in that moment is known as flow, a state of
complete immersion in an activity. He describes the mental state of
flow as "being completely involved in an activity for its own sake. The
ego falls away. Time flies. Every action, movement, and thought
follows inevitably from the previous one, like playing jazz. Your
whole being is involved, and you're using your skills to the utmost."
Al Gore became interested in global warming since his student days
at Harvard where he was associated with Roger Revelle one of the
first scientists to measure carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
He was in his best spirits while he was advocating the ill effects of
global warming. This was a thesis that fetched him the Nobel prize.
He was found to be “in the zone” while he did this presentation
across the globe. It is said that Al Gore presented this documentary
An Inconvenient Truth at least 1000 times so far and this was
something that he enjoyed the most and it was not an act which was
forced upon him.

4. Altruism
Acting with an unselfish regard for others doesn't always come
naturally, even though many psychologists believe we're hard-wired
for empathy since cooperative behaviour allowed our ancestors to
survive under harsh conditions. But most of us realize that when we
make the effort to give without expectations of reciprocity, we feel
fulfilled and energized.
We can say that Al Gore was extremely altruistic. He selflessly took
up the cause to fight against global warming. This is a voluntary
action on his behalf and not something that was forced upon him by
somebody. He has taken up this act for the larger good of our
mankind without any expectations from anybody. We can say that he
was truly altruistic.
Signature Strengths
The author of Authentic Happiness, Dr Martin Seligman, has been
promoting the field of positive psychology through the study of
positive emotion, positive character traits and positive institutions.
He believes that happiness occurs when a person identifies a
signature strength and uses it towards something larger than the
self.
A ‘signature strength’ is a personal strength such as playfulness,
kindness, honesty, critical thinking, and the role of positive
psychology is to help a person identify and develop their signature
strength. Our signature strengths can be nurtured throughout our
lives, with benefits to our health, relationships and careers.
The meaningful life is "using your signature strengths and virtues in
the service of something much larger than you are" says Mr
Seligman.

5. Al Gore sought to pursue a self-less mission of fighting against global
warming. He spent every waking moment of his life in spreading this
message across to a wider audience across the globe. The very fact
that he is contributing to the larger good of the human race will give
him a sense of satisfaction.