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Apple CEO Tim Cook attends Silicon Valley screening of Al Gore's 'An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power'

Source: Sundance Film Festival via Rolling Stone

Apple CEO Tim Cook took time out of his schedule to attend former vice president and current Apple board member Al Gore's new film, "An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power," which was screened for a select audience in Silicon Valley on Thursday.

At the small gathering, Cook introduced the film and its creators to audience members, taking the opportunity to speak on the dire environmental issues facing our modern world.

In a video of the event posted to YouTube by venture capitalist Steve Jurvetson, Cook says there are still signs of climate crisis "all around us" even ten years after Gore's first documentary about global warming, "An Inconvenient Truth," debuted.

"But there's also great reasons for optimism, and there's renewable energies that have been developed over that period of time and are being widely deployed. Almost every country in the world has agreed to do certain things, and markets are rewarding renewable energy everywhere," Cook said. "But the clock still runs, and the urgency has never been greater. And so I think there's never been a better time for this film."

Apple has — very publicly — invested in various renewable energy projects around the world, including solar energy installations, biogas stations, contracts with wind and water energy producers and more. As part of its environmental responsibility operations, the company also purchased thousands of acres of forestland in the U.S. and China, with at least part of the output going toward sustainable eco-friendly product packaging.

Cook went on to recognize Gore and Participant Media founder Jeff Skoll, both of whom took part in a panel discussion immediately following today's showing. In Jurvetson's YouTube video, Gore talks briefly about Apple's contributions to green initiatives.

"It is important to note that Apple is 100 percent renewable energy in the U.S., 93 percent worldwide, closing in on 100 percent worldwide," Gore said. "Taking out the toxics; more recycling; more environmental standards than any company in the world. And, the most profitable country (sic) in the history of the world. So, these two things can and often do go together."

Gore has served as an Apple board member since 2003.

As for the film, "An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power" picks up where Gore left off in 2006. Directed by Bonni Cohen and Jon Shenk, the documentary follows Gore as he gives speeches about climate change at a variety of venues, talks with eco-warrior luminaries and argues points of contention with political pundits.

"An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power" is set for wide release on July 28.