My love for Naomi Klein knows no limits. When I think of someone that could be the next Rachel Carson, someone that has opened the eyes of individuals to the truths of our society in regards to the environment and its current state of decline because of capitalist ideology and intervention, I think of Naomi Klein. This film struggled, in my opinion, as all climate change documentaries do, but where it shines is reminding people of the opportunities that we as a society have in creating change; to actually pay attention to what is happening in different parts of North America and around the world as a result of these capitalist ventures which tell us that "this is for us, and our advancement" but that really are adding to our own detriment.
While the book (with the same name) takes an investigative approach to the fact that man as a species feels that they have "mastered" nature in their ability to manipulate the elements in order to improve economic growth and living conditions for the privileged (even the poor), the film provides glimpses into the lives of individuals and communities who have been affected by these capitalist ventures. The term "environmental sacrifice" is used to describe areas where these individuals are located, areas that were taken over in order to fulfill the promise of creating more growth and human advancement. These areas are not only homes to individuals, but entire ecosystems which for millions of years had been self-sustaining, but that now are depleted of any ability to self-promote and provide benefit to its neighbors.
The film, as the book, looks at growth, primarily economic growth which has for years been continuing without limits. Economic growth, and its impact on the environment needs to change and while there has been efforts to put restrictions on production in order to spare the environment there is little that is actually being done because those restrictions would actually stall a lot of the precious conveniences of modern society. This is a challenge! What happens when there is no more growth? When there is more unemployment and there is not enough to eat? What is suggested through the film is that there needs to be a change in the growth model. A change to one that acknowledges where we are in terms of our environmental decline and that will promote structured improvement of not just social functioning, but also climate.
Miguel,
ReplyDeleteAs many films that I watch, as many books as I read, as much posts on social media I publish, I feel like I am talking to a wall. When I mention this to people, they look at me like I don't want to talk about the environment. I get so frustrated that people are so shallow and only care about themselves and the moment. Forget preserving anything, forget what is happening around the world, forget what is happening next year, forget what is happening in my city... as long as they can live their comfortable lives, they continue to live on as if nothing is happening. Films are meant to bring out the humanity in all of us but when people don't experience something for themselves, like actually traveling to the areas that are changing due to climate change, it doesn't phase them or if it does, it lasts a few days or so. How do we make people see that these films are to take us to these places that most people can't travel? How do we make people listen? If I knew the answer I would be doing the things to wake our global planet up and start taking action.