Federal Environment Minister sent former US Vice President Al Gore the following letter congratulating Mr. Gore on winning two Oscars for the film "An Inconvenient Truth", which was made by and with the former US Vice President:
"Dear Mr. Gore,
Today you have been awarded two Oscars for your film "An Inconvenient Truth". I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to you personally, as well as to the director Davis Guggenheim and all those who contributed to the film. For many years, you have been highly engaged in drawing attention to the dangers of climate change and pointing out the urgent need for action. This film is also a further example of your commitment, with its straightforward and comprehensible presentation, its mixture of humor and convincing scientific facts. Impressive images show us the consequences of human activity and the major ecological challenge we are facing; but they also describe how we can overcome it. I warmly acknowledge your achievement. I can think of no other documentary film in recent years can have influenced the environmental debate to the same extent as "An Inconvenient Truth".
In recent months, at special screenings of the film in German cities, I have had the opportunity to debate this remarkable film with young people, and discuss policies for the protection of the climate. I was highly impressed with these talks. Especially children and young people are very much aware that we must act quickly and resolutely if we still want to bring climate change under control. In close cooperation with a number of sponsors, the Federal Environment Ministry is providing up to 6,000 interested schools with a free DVD of your film. From 18 March 2007 we are conducting "educational matinees" in 26 German cities, where teachers are given a free showing of the film and extensive materials for their lessons.
Mr. Gore, the Federal Government will continue to support your commitment to climate protection in future. We will continue in our leading role in climate protection. For you and your staff, I hope that the award of the Oscar for the film "An Inconvenient Truth" generates further momentum for an active climate protection policy."