FAQs

Some of the voices we hear are the defenders of the status quo - the ones with a vested interest in perpetuating the current system, no matter how high a price the rest of us will have to pay. - Al Gore

• Why Operation Missing Link?


• Is animal agriculture really that bad?


• Al Gore isn't already a vegetarian/vegan?! Why don't you try to get him to convert?


• I don't have a decent video camera to make the video.


• OK, tell me in 50 words or less, what to do.


• I have made my video. Now what?


• I am not a vegan or a vegetarian. Can I still participate?


• Why video instead of a letter writing campaign?


• I don't know anything about making videos. What can I do?


• What if I am camera shy?


• I can't make a video. Is there something else I can do?


• Hey, my question isn't answered here!

Why Operation Missing Link?

In a nutshell, Operation Missing Link is about getting Al Gore to openly and actively start talking about the impact that animal agriculture has on the environment, specifically animal agriculture's contribution to climate change. Thus far, he only acknowledges the link only when he is questioned about it, presumably by folks who already know that answer.

Is animal agriculture really that bad?

A report entitled Livestock’s Long Shadow, published by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization in 2006 found that emissions from animal agriculture is responsible for more man-made greenhouse gases than all modes of transportation combined! Two World Bank environmental scientists, in 2009, reported that animal agriculture emits as much as 51% of all man-made greenhouse gases. Animal agriculture is also largest cause of the destruction of the rainforests, which are carbon-storehouses as well as a carbon sinks.

Al Gore isn't already a vegetarian/vegan?! Why don't you try to get him to convert?

UPDATE. Al Gore has now adopted a vegan diet, and made the decision mere months after our action at his training event in San Francisco.  We would love nothing more! However, this has been tried several times to no success. Instead we are trying to get him to do what politicians do best, get others to do as they say, not as they do. While he says he made the decision for health reasons, we are sure he realizes the positive environmental impact of his decision. However, we are still waiting for him to start talking openly about moving to a plant-based as part of his overall plan to mitigate climate change. As a famous public figure, if he encourages people to eliminate or greatly reduce their consumption of animal products, people may listen and act, which will make a bigger difference than getting one man to stop eating animals.

I don't have a decent video camera to make the video.

It is not the quality of the video but the message that matters. Many cell/mobile phones as well as digital photo cameras have the ability to take short videos with sound. If you don't, perhaps you have a friend who does. You two can make a video together or take turns making a video of each other. Making a video with a friend is more fun anyway.

OK, tell me in 50 words or less, what to do.

We are asking participants to create a video, which includes their name, location and a message to Al Gore for him to start openly and actively recommending that people eliminate or reduce their consumption of meat to help fight climate change. Check out Make your video for additional information.

I have made my video. Now what?

Upload your video to Youtube as a video reply to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lB13TseE3EY. This will allow us to link to it and share it through this site, Facebook and Twitter. Share it with your friends and family and ask them to participate. Check out Make your video for additional information.

I am not a vegan or a vegetarian. Can I still participate?

Yes, of course! The fact that you are asking this question means you realize the impact of animal agriculture on our environment. If you want to help others to make the same connections, more power to you!

Why video instead of a letter writing campaign?

1. We believe that someone taking the time to make a video shows a greater level of enthusiasm one has for the cause and thus make a bigger impact.


2. In addition to getting Mr. Gore's attention, we hope this project will garner a lot of media attention. In the event that Mr. Gore fails to respond to us, the media may pick up the story and allow our message to get to people that way. Either way, we will need a large number of participants to make it a success. In other words, WE NEED YOU!

We have added an online petition for Operation Missing Link. We have also started a photo petition campaign. Please support Operation Missing Link via any of these methods that you are able.

I don't know anything about making videos. What can I do?

We've got you covered! Check out the Make your video page for tips and links on how to make your video. If you feel like you are missing some information needed to make your video, please post your question in our forums (for the benefit of others who may have the same or similar question) and we will do our best to help you out.

What if I am camera shy?

That's OK. You can make a video slideshow of pictures of you or your favorite places, animals, activities threatened by climate change and include a voice-over track with your message to Mr. Gore. Check out the Make your video resources section to learn how to make slideshows and add narration using a PC or a Mac.

I can't make a video. Is there something else I can do?

Yes! Please sign our online petition. You can submit a photo petition. You can spread Operation Missing Link information to your friends, family, co-workers, classmates, and community members. You can interview other people on video. Explain to them that animal agriculture is one of the largest contributors to climate change and ask them if they think Al Gore should be talking about animal agriculture in his videos, books and other publications to help people make the link. We thank you for any help you can provide with Operation Missing Link!

Hey, my question isn't answered here!

Sorry, our bad. Please Contact Us with you question and we will try to answer it as best as we can.

Like a lot of people, it seems to me that all these problems are bigger than any of the solutions that have thus far been proposed for them, and that's been worrying me. - Al Gore