Set 35 yrs into the future, time is the predominant theme. From the minute the opening credits start to roll there’s no escaping it, or more specifically, the lack of it. The impressive opening sets an ominous tone, but the cut to supposedly ‘special’ effects representing the impact of climate change on society, although believable as concepts, sadly are not believable as effects.
Things only get worse once the Archive is introduced; a computer generated ‘Matrix’ like structure so foreboding it has to be accompanied by the mandatory clap of thunder every time it’s in shot – it’s more evil villain’s lair than last vestige of civilization. Unfortunately the Archivist Pete Postlethwaite goes on to utterly ruin this film and I can’t stress this strongly enough. The whole idea of the archivist is an appallingly week structure on which to hang such an important narrative, turning a series of fascinating documentaries, into nothing more than Government Warning Footage for schools. It’s not Pete Postlethwaite’s fault, but this character belittles the audience to such a degree you cringe every time he comes onto screen.
Of course there is a seriously powerful message; the film is engineered to make you want to pass the word around. In a perfect world everybody must watch this film and act upon it immediately before it’s too late. Naturally, nobody will really enjoy it, but everyone should see it – seriously.
Together with the educational message there is a liberal dishing out of shame and guilt along side healthy measures of blame, particularly if you live in the developed world. Quite rightly so – the depth and scale of unashamed and revolting corporate corruption is truly shocking. Facts and statistics are brilliantly illustrated, e.g. the immoral and irresponsible actions of Shell Oil in Nigeria and the utter and indiscriminate rape of Africa throughout the ages. The price other people are having to pay for the west’s extravagance and thoughtlessness is really driven home.
All of the above are forgivable, in fact pretty much unavoidable in a film with this subject matter. However, there is very little hope and I think that is a failing. The futility of mankind’s situation corrodes any faith in humanity you may previously have held. Designed to rally people into positive action before it’s too late, it succeeds in casting serious doubt as to whether humanity can even be saved from itself or whether reducing, halting or reversing our carbon emissions is just beyond us.
… Still want to see it? Well you should.
Starring: Pete Postlethwaite. Director: Franny Armstrong
The Age of Stupid is as much a movement as it is a mainstream movie. Starring Pete Postlethwaite, this futuristic 90-minute feature about climate change was released in UK cinemas on March 20th 2009. What is remarkable, is that although the release date has come and gone the viewing figures are rocketing due relentless on-the-ground support from fans doing all they can to spread the world. Not for profit private showings are being held up and down the country, for example there will be a showing in Bournemouth on June 24th at The Winchester at 7pm. For a complete list a scheduled showings clink here
The basic premise is a man living alone in the devastated world of 2055, looking back at “archive” footage from 2007 and asking: why didn’t we stop climate change when we had the chance? It’s hard hitting stuff, but it’s important and also quite comic in places. What is phenomenal is the speed at which it has been taken-up and carried by the nation – the main drive is just to get as many people to see this film as possible ; go yourself, take a friend, tell everyone you know and make a difference. For more info on how to get involved in what is both a media and human phenomenon click here to visit the website.
Also check out Not Stupid: Changing 250 million viewers into activists notstupid.org
Organised by the United Nations Environment Programme UNEP and this year hosted in Mexico, World Environment Day takes place every year on June 5th. This year’s theme is ‘Your Planet Needs You-UNite to Combat Climate Change’
It’s expected that the 2009 event will focus on the urgency for nations to agree on a new deal at the crucial climate convention meeting taking place in Copenhagen, December 7th – 18th 2009.
WED is an impressive global event which demonstrates that world leaders and governments recognise serious environmental consequences and are prepared to take action. Several countries have already indicated their intention to go carbon neutral, led by Costa Rica, New Zealand and Norway.
Unfortunately the UK doesn’t feature highly in countries preparing to take a stand. Whilst recent findings revealed that EU emissions fell by 3% in 2008 that same news story went onto report “ Some big polluters, notably the UK, increased their emissions rise, but three other big economies – Germany, Italy and France – emitted less than they had in 2007.”
Given that many UK citizens were at the polling stations yesturday, let’s hope that on a local level at least, whoever is elected puts a little more effort into establishing a half decent public transport system rather than suporting the building or more roads and expanding more airports.
To find out more about WED and some helpful hints on how to reduce your own carbon footprint visit: www.unep.org
There’s a YouTube video that’s taking the world by storm and it features HRH Prince Charles and a giant frog … now there’s something I don’t get to type everyday!
It’s terrific. Please watch the video below and tell us what you think and if you want to, you can sign up at www.rainforestsos.org
There has been a recent spate of celebrity backing for important public campaigns, for example Joanna Lumley has recently lead an impassioned and successful campaign on behalf of the Gurkhas. Currently Richard Briers is encouraging people to ‘extend the carrot of friendship’ to their local politicians on behalf of Greenpeace; giving his backing to Airplot anti-Heathrow expansion campaign.
What are your opinions on royal and celebrity endorsements?
Does it make a difference?
Does it make you act?
Do you trust their motives?
We would love to know what you think.
Ps. look out for the Special Guest Appearance from Kurmit the frog…
After chaining themselves to the entrance of Southampton airport in February, 6 of the 7 anti-aviation expansion protesters have admitted to aggravated trespass and fined a total of £2,000.
The demonstration was designed to focus attention on the human impact of climate change – it is estimated that rising sea levels will create approximately 2 million refugees by the year 2050. Given than Southampton is a coastal conurbation, this has particular resonance and adds another dimension to the arguments surrounding the plans to expand the airport.
BAA hopes to increase passenger traffic for Southampton Airport from 1.5 million passengers a year to 3 million by 2015. The planned expansion of Southampton airport, together with the 34 other regional airports in the UK, will do enough damage to the climate to force an estimated 1.3 million people in impoverished parts of the world to flee raising sea levels, flooding, drought and famine.
Pete Barker of Plane Stupid said “It’s crazy to imagine that we can tackle the serious threat posed by runaway climate change whilst still allowing airports to expand.”
To find out more about this and other anti-aviation campaigns visit: www.planestupid.com
1. Increased flying is one of the main culprits of climate change.
2. The government commitment to the reduction of UK CO2 emissions by 80% by 2050, cannot hope to be achieved if the aviation industry continues to expand at the proposed rate.
3. If the 3rd runway goes ahead, Heathrow will become the UK’s single greatest producer of CO2
4. An independent study of the proposed 3rd runway suggests that the true cost of a third runway would lead to a £5 billion loss.
5. Included in the destinations industry is most keen to expand from Heathrow, are Manchester, Paris & Edinburgh, clearly destinations reachable by the train or bus alternatives which are over ten times less polluting.
Register your support by clicking on the image below
As Dorset County Council are busy wrecking Ancient Woodland in Two Mile Coppice, destroying ancient trees, hundreds of years old in preparation for a few weeks in the summer of 2012, I thought it was worth re-capping on a few salient points made by Rebecca Lush in March 2007. She delivered a brilliant speech to the seemingly deaf ears of the DCC Planning Committee.
Explaining Natural England’s objections to the Weymouth Relief Roacd scheme, Rebecca Lush pointed out that the organization is a statutory environmental body with a duty to protect Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, including investigating proposed road schemes. She emphasized that with a limited budget Natural England could ill afford to object to road schemes unnecessarily.
Natural England contracted out the examination and analysis of the Weymouth Relief Road scheme to the research body Transport Research Laboratory. Their findings were that ‘the traffic case for the scheme did not add up – that the road simply would not work, by dumping more traffic into the town. It would actually increase congestion in Weymouth. They advised Natural England that the scheme was therefore not a justified intrusion into the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.’
The crucial point here is that Natural England’s objection is based upon hard analytic evidence undertaken by a professional and impartial body. The fact remains, that the findings of the TRL clearly state that ‘the road scheme will not work on its own terms.’
As Rebecca Lush very neatly concludes and not without a hint of irony; “The national taxpayer will be paying anywhere between £77m and £100m to destroy nationally important natural assets for a road scheme that won’t even work, and will increase traffic, congestions and CO2 in an era when we must do all we can to move towards a low carbon economy. This is irresponsible and unacceptable.”
I could not agree more – estimated in Dorset County Council’s Environmental Statement that the additional traffic generated will increase CO2 emissions by 2347 tonnes, it seems ludicrous that this scheme even got the go ahead, let alone that as I type this, the above mentioned Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty are being destroyed.
For more information and to read Rebecca Lush’s speech in full visit:
Bypass The Bypass website at: www.bypassthebypass.org
You can also register your support and/or make a donation at the above address
It has been estimated that within the next 60 years, so certainly within the lifespan of today’s generation, the impact of climate change on the South Coast of England could see a 20% increase in winter rainfall and a rise in sea level of up to 90 centimeters. Scientists also predict that the average annual temperature will be up to 4°C higher by 2080 leading to a 50% reduction in summer rainfall.
Changes to our climate on this scale will have a considerable impact, not just on our physical environment e.g. wildlife, natural resources and landscapes, but crucially on our way of life for example, public health, agricultural practices, transport, life expectancy and the local economy.
The results of these findings are nonnegotiable and uncompromising; immediate and effective action must be taken to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions or our failure to act will constitute nothing less than gross negligence.
