Weber_6+Degrees+Could+Change+the+World


 * Ashley Weber, Annotation #1, Date: 10/1/10 **
 * Six Degrees Could Change The World **

The National Geographic documentary Six Degrees Could Change The World was directed by Ron Bowman and released in 2008.
 * Film, Director, Release Year **

This documentary serves as a rude awaking to viewers by showing how the slightest rise of six degrees Celsius in average global temperature could the future of our planet as we know it know. The film displays how each degree change leads to a radically different future for our planet. If global warming continues to escalade, the potential affects will not be on a specific part of the world or group of people. The whole world will be affected and could reach a point of no return as a result of humans’ changing the way the earth operates.
 * What is the central argument or narrative of the film? **

The film begins by asking viewers to image the 21st century if global warming were to accelerate and think about where the next super storm, heat wave, or catastrophe could hit as the earth warms degree by degree. Our planet is at a crossroads warning signs are all around us. Global warming is not out of control but could be if we choose to do nothing.

This documentary highlights many sustainability problems that could and are contributing globally warming being experienced across the globe. Our climate is changing because of man disrupting the natural cycles and operations.
 * What sustainability problems does the film draw out? **

Everyday people are looking for ways to use more energy. Our carbon impact is adding up at a pace that is unprecedented. In the United States, the production of a single cheeseburger releases two hundred million metric tons of CO2 into the atmosphere. Our society is always looking to to do things the fastest and cheapest way rather than most efficient and environmentally safe. Buildings waste more energy than they use.

Ignorance is another problem that seen across the board involving environmental impact. Many people may be unaware of ways they are harming the environment. The film went into a family’s home and analyzed it and found multiple simple fixes that could help save the family money and have a smaller carbon footprint. The term vampire load was pointed out. This is refers to electronic appliances that are turned off or on standby mode, but are stilling using electricity. It was pointed out that the family was wasting sixty dollars a year enough thought the appliances were turned “off”.

In my opinion National Geographic always has very compelling documentaries because of their use of imagery. The film is very persuasive in the approach it uses to present the viewer information. Very graphic video clips are shown depicting the many warning signs that global warming affects are occurring all around the globe in many different forms. With each example, the viewer is able to make a personal connection to it making it more compelling. Australia is experiences a terrible drought the film depicted a family having to leave their home and a man staying behind to save his house with the fire spreading towards their house. In Greenland, the Islanders could no longer afford sled dogs, so they started putting them down which was a horrible sight to see. Along with the graphic and detailed imagery, several statements made provided a big punch and were very thought provoking; ‘Traditions are melting away’, ‘Poorer countries who haven’t contributed as much to greenhouse gases are being impacted’, and ‘Six degrees cooler would be comparable to the ice age’. The highly detailed computer generated depictions of the future predications are so realistic looking that the viewer could see mistake them for actually have happened.
 * What parts of the film did you find most persuasive and compelling? Why? **

I was least compelled by the film’s list of possible solutions to this massive environmental issue. At the beginning of the film, it says how global warming is not out of control, but it could be irreversible if we do change. After watching the film, I feel that many viewers are so convinced that the world needs to be saved, but the lack of ways to effectively help stop the accelerated warming on a large scale are lacking from this film. The issue comes across as almost too big of a problem for one to handle individually.
 * What parts of the film were you not compelled or convinced by? Why? **

This film would be a great eye opener for people who may be ignorant to the idea of global warming. The combination of narration and excellent visual imagery throughout the documentary really provides the viewer with support mainly in the form of warning signs that are currently occurring making it a convincing and easily follow able film. The use of statistics is limited which prevents the viewer from becoming overwhelmed and unable to follow the story. This film also targets those who are on the fence about how global warming could affect them. However, I think this film best addresses viewers are understand the idea of global warming and who are interested in what the actual affects really are.
 * What audiences does the film best address? Why? **

It would have been very informative to have more specific information detailing how the average global temperature is calculated and how it the effects for each degree change were determined. The film does a great job of showing what the global warming could lead to, however, the inclusion of more specific causes and solutions would help increase the educational value.
 * What could have been added to this film to enhance its environmental educational value? **

Several solutions are proposed by the film. Our society should become more focused on production and energy efficiency rather than our current way of finding the fastest, cheapest way of doing things. Reducing the use of energy that produces CO2 emissions as well as not wasting more energy than we actually use. Increasing the efficiency of generators and fuel efficiency of cars A farfetched idea described involved using mirrors to block out heat from the sun.
 * What kinds of action and points of intervention are suggested by the film? If the film itself does **** not suggest corrective action, describe actions that you can imagine being effective. **

After watching this film, I wanted to look more into vampire loads. There were some pretty interesting facts I discovered. “Studies show that standby consumption is 10-15% of total household electricity consumption. Recently-manufactured washers, dryers, and dishwashers, including the Energy Star rated models, have vampire loads ranging as high as 5 watts.” []
 * What additional information has this film compelled you to seek out? (Provide at least two supporting references.) **

The mentioning of mirrors to block heat from the sun caused me to look into other possible solutions that have been suggested to block sunlight. I discovered that it has been suggested to use military aircraft to disperse sulfate aerosols into the stratosphere to help create a global dimming effect to reduce amount of sunlight reaching the earth’s surface. []