Movie Analysis Essay on Before the Flood

Introduction

The statement implies that global warming and climate change are not realities. A description of how areas used to be before some industries and type of animals and birds that existed is a clear indication of the existence of climate change. For example, research by McNerney, 2019, pollution from industries has adversely affected the climate; hence there is a need for federal investments in preventing further damage to the climate (McNerney, 2019).

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A large part of our economies are based on fossil fuel.

The statement is true and justifies climate change incidences like floods and heat waves. According to research by Johnsson, Kjarstad, and Rootzen, 2019, fossil reserves make up to 80% of areas in some countries (Johnsson, Kjarstad, and Rootzen, 2019). Meaning, most industries are sustained by fossil fuel which is destroying the biodiversity of the ecosystem.

China Is the World’s Number One Polluter of the Environment

The statement is true because the country has many industries that use fossil fuel and has a relatively large population. According to research by Labordena, Neubauer, Folini, Patt, and Lilliestam, 2018, the country emits the world's most massive amount of anthropogenic air pollutants.

Review of Before the Flood

Before the Flood is a documentary based on climate change, it has been directed by Fisher Stevens in collaboration with companies like Mandrin Film Production, RatPac Documentary Films, and Insurgent Docs. It was distributed in 2016. The main narrator of the documentary is Leonardo Dicarpio. The purpose of the film is to create awareness about climate change and the need to change lifestyle and consumption - the basis of the documentary that it is man's actions that are creating climate change. The documentary shows how Dicarpio has been advocating for climate change for the past twenty years still holding conversations with stakeholders like politicians, industry players, and scientists on the reality of climate change. The initiatives enabled his appointment as the Messenger of Peace for the United Nations.

Discussion

The documentary shows the effects of climate change based on actions in areas like Baffin Island, Miami Florida, China, and India. Therefore, this section explains Dicarpio's findings on climate change in these regions and reviews them based on what current research on climate change provides.

During his visit to Baffin Island, Dicarpio is accompanied by Dr. Enric Sala. Dr. Sala is a National Geographic Explorer. Here, they interview one local who says that hunting and fishing are his sources of livelihood. While the Island was wholly ice decades ago, today, most of the ice has melted. Dr. Sala predicts that by 4040, the island will be covered in water since all the ice would have melted. According to Shepardson, Roychoudhury, Hrisch, Niyogi, and Top, 2014, climate change involves the humans modifying the landscape which can change components of climate like hydrology and biogeochemical cycle hence leading to precipitation and changes in regional patterns of temperature (Shepardson, Roychoudhury, Hrisch, Niyogi, and Top, 2014).

Also, Dicarpio visits Florida Miami where residents have reported to be continuously affected by rising sea levels. He meets with the Mayor of Florida Beach who explains that the main reason the U.S has not sufficiently addressed climate change issues is politics. Many lobbyist groups have been given incentives by corporations that use fossil fuel to oppose people like scientists who have proven that climate change is real. The mayor believes that rising sea levels have adversely affected the real estate industry. Consequently, he has launched projects to prevent flooding like raising the level of the roads and pumping water out of the streets.

Other places Dicarpio visit include India and Indonesia. In India, he establishes that the country has invested more in solar energy than the USA. Dicarpio's visit to rural India shows that floods have destroyed the crops. An environmentalist explains that the region received rainfall of a half year within five hours. Thus the films show the dangers of heatwaves on agricultural production. According to research by Wester and Mobjork, 2017, weather-related calamities like wildfires, heat waves, and floods, are the adverse effects of climate change (Wester and Mobjork, 2017). In Indonesia, he discovers that large business corporations intentionally start fires for the growing the plantations of palm oil. Nearly three-quarter country's forest is covered by palm oil plantation which has adversely contributed to the destruction of the biodiversity of the ecosystem.

Conclusion

The documentary has shown various man action that has changed the landscape and contributed to climate change. Although I had previous knowledge of climate change, I did not know its extent and effects on the vulnerable in society. Thus, Dicarpio's visit to Indonesia and India have shown me that countries and corporations need to take accountability for their share in climate change and be proactive in initiatives to preserve the ecosystem. Also, it has encouraged me by seeing the number of countries that have started to embrace solar as a sustainable alternative source of energy.

References

Johnsson, F., Kjarstad, J., & Rootzen, J. (2019). The threat to climate change mitigation posed by the abundance of fossil fuels. Climate Policy (Earthscan), 19(2), 258-274. https://doi.org/10.1080/14693062.2018.1483885

McNerney, J. (2019). What Are We Doing about Climate Change? Obstacles, Opportunities, and Legislative Action. Humanist, 79(2), 12-16. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=134728379&site=ehost-live

Shepardson, D. P., Roychoudhury, A., Hirsch, A., Niyogi, D., & Top, S. M. (2014). When the atmosphere warms it rains, and ice melts: seventh-grade students' conceptions of a climate system. Environmental Education Research, 20(3), 333-353. https://doi.org/10.1080/13504622.2013.803037

Wester, M., & Mobjork, M. (2017). A Brief Survey of the Work Being Performed by Crisis Organisations in the European Union Member States on Climate Change Effects. Journal of Contingencies & Crisis Management, 25(4), 364-369. https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-5973.12154