The 11th Hour Screening & Panelists Discussion-Our Finest Hour

As a required assigned movie screening, w350 as well as C204 attended a film and panelist discussion centered on environmental issues of natural solutions and consumerism. 'The 11th Hour' is a documentary narrated by Leonardo Dicaprio and captures over 50 voices from experts largely knowledgably about environmental issues and the matters surrounding the environment's current state of crisis. The film juxtaposed the current state of crisis with suicide, in that, the environment will survive--humanity may not, due to the human notion of superiority of nature. As humans, we often forget about the natural world and have a sense of separation from nature. Heather Reynolds, an associate Professor of Biology and one of the panelists introduced the concept of limited resources and the idea that if humanity does not redefine the sense of prosperity than the abundance will cease and resources will become extinct. At the time of industrial revolution, the idea of ‘limitless resources’ became a trend and through time dominant institutions formed a deadly cycle that may ultimately, “kill off the host [planet]”.

The exposure to chemicals and other poisoning agents are suspects of cancer and is unfortunately increasing the incidents of deaths and illness, which are all consequences from the pollution and damage humanity has caused to natural resources. The film depicts the harsh consequences for humanities actions with severe temperature changes which ultimately link to a rise in natural disasters. An expert in the film noted, “it is predicted that by the middle of the century over 150 million people will become refugees from natural disasters.”

The film and each panelist attempted to raise awareness of the effects of environmental damage and the severe consequences we will face if humanity does not change daily habits, alter our notions of wealth and success, and modify current building designs to more sustainable model. The film predicts that if humanity rebuilds and restructures our current ways of living, we can reduce our damaging footprint by 90%.

I felt the film screening and discussion provided vital information and offered pivotal evidence for a crisis that most of society ignores and places the responsibility in the hands of someone else. This screening proposed that the problem and solution should be addressed and altered by all citizens in hopes to increase the longevity of the earth.