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A primer on global warming, TOO HOT NOT TO HANDLE features contributions
from leading scientists in the field. In addition to in-depth discussions of such subjects as
the greenhouse effect, hurricanes, snowpack, hybrid vehicles, and alternative power
sources, the film shows how businesses, local governments, and citizens are taking
positive actions to reduce global warming emissions.
Over the past century, consumption of carbon dioxide-emitting fossil fuels (coal, oil
and natural gas) has risen to staggering levels, especially in the United States, where five
percent of the world's population is responsible for 25 percent of the world'scarbon
dioxide emissions. TOO HOT NOT TO HANDLE offers a wealth of chilling evidence that
the greenhouse effect is intensifying and the Earth is warming faster than at any other
time in human history.
Among the startling facts revealed are:
Deadly heat waves in the U.S. have increased threefold since 1950 and
today kill more people than hurricanes, tornadoes, lightning and blizzards
combined.
The average temperature in Alaska has already risen five degrees, causing
99 percent of its glaciers to be melting, retreating and shrinking.
Rising sea levels are eroding our shoreline and may eventually displace
large numbers of Americans.
The intensity of catastrophic storms, such as 2005's devastating hurricanes
Katrina and Rita, , has increased dramatically in the last half-century, as
hurricanes draw their strength from warm ocean water.
Deadly viruses like West Nile, aided by higher air temperatures, are
spreading to new parts of the globe, including the entire continental U.S.
"My personal hope is that every viewer will be inspired to become part of the
solution to reducing our carbon emissions," says executive producer Laurie David. "As
the film shows, everything we need to address this pressing problem already exists, and
the time to act is now."
Encouraging viewers to think "outside the barrel," the film explores innovative ways
Americans can reduce global warming and literally change the world with Earth-friendly
options such as biodiesel and hybrid cars.
TOO HOT NOT TO HANDLE is executive produced by Laurie David; produced by
Susan Lester and Joseph Lovett; edited by Tom Haneke; written by Susan Joy Hassol;
segment directors, Maryann De Leo and Ellen Goosenberg Kent; segment producers,
Vibha Bakshi and Rosemary Sykes; original music by Joel Goodman. For Lovett
Productions: executive producer, Joseph Lovett. For HBO: supervising producer,
Jacqueline Glover; executive producer, Sheila Nevins.
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