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__**FILM ANNOTATION FOR "THE 11TH HOUR"**__

The 11th Hour, Leila Conners, 2007  The central argument of this film is that no matter what we do, the Earth will outlive us. We are causing this devastation to the environment and we do not understand that we are committing our own suicide. As we kill the environment, we are killing ourselves. The disconnect between people and the environment have led to the major environmental problems today.
 * 1. Title, director and release year? **
 * 2. What is the central argument or narrative of the film?**

 There are many sustainability problems presented in this film revolving around the government, the economy, behavior, and the environment. At this time, the world’s governments have not really tried to tackle the environmental issues that are currently upon us. One of the major problems is that Exxon Mobile has more money than all automotive companies, meaning that it controls the government. Because of this, the political system has failed us. Public policy has not done nearly enough to help our sustainability issues. There is too much money in the political system.  The economy is also a major sustainability issue because it is most important to us. Our economy is responsible for separating us from the environment. With the Industrial Revolution, our view of nature converted from and equal to a resource. Our economy is built upon the idea that limitless growth and expansion is ideal. Oil is the biggest contributing factor to our problems. Because of it, we do not pay what products actually cost. This lead to externalities where others are paying for these cost reductions thought rise of asthma and acid rain. Corporate globalization is biggest problem because it promotes the idea that the environment has no rights and that it is just property.  Our behavior also leads to issues with sustainability because we are opportunistic and greedy by nature. The human mind is the main problem even though it is the key to our survival. We have this misconception that we are separate from nature which is a fundamental misunderstanding. This is built on the assumption that we are superior and separated from all other forms of life.  Finally, the environment has become a major sustainability issue. Natural disasters are shown as isolated events when really they are caused by our relationship to the Earth. Global warming is going to bring about the revenge of nature. This is caused by massive amounts of carbon dioxide emissions being released into the atmosphere. We have the highest average temperatures in recorded history. A change in the temperature by a couple degrees is what has caused ice ages in the past. The melting of the polar ice caps decreases the reflection of light back into the atmosphere but since there is less of that now, the Earth has begun to trap extra heat. Because of global warming, we are losing control of climate. The climate has changed enough to melt 20% of the ice in the arctic. Fertilizers and pesticides used in one area have also been proven to move down the waterways to affect other areas. Pollution has also caused the amount of people with asthma is to rise. Our bodies of water have also been victim to pollution and overfishing. Also, 95% of the forests in the United States are gone do to logging. While these trees sometimes grow back trees in the rainforest do not. We are quickly using up a majority of our natural resources which will inevitably lead to more natural disasters. 4. What parts of the film did you find most persuasive and compelling? Why? ** I thought it was very interesting that we are referred to as a virus that is growing on the Earth. I thought it was also compelling that we are referred to as a young species since we have not been around for nearly as long as the existence of the earth. I was also very interested when some of the speakers talked about the cost of what the environment does for us. I have never thought about how much money the environment saves us by the functions is performs. 5. What parts of the film were you not compelled or convinced by? ** I did not particularly care for the chaos of the opening scene. It was way too graphic and depressing. The graphic images shown sporadically through the film were also not compelling to me, they were just depressing. 6. What additional information does this film compel you to seek out? Where do you want to dig deeper and what connections do you want to make with other issues, factors, problems, etc.? ** I would like to seek out additional information about evolution and why we are more developed than other animals. I would also like to learn more about how some of the scientists claimed that we are different than every other species because we choose what is the best way to survive instead of just depending on natural evolution. I would also like to learn the monetary value of what functions nature performs for us. In addition, I was very interested to look more into our sustainable lifestyle at the beginning of our history. I would like to learn more about the details of that lifestyle 7. What audiences does the film best address? What kind of imagination is fostered in viewers? Do you think the film is likely to change the way viewers think about and act on environmental problems? ** <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">I think that this film is best watched by high school and college students and any adult interested in environmental issues. It does a successful job of covering the major sustainability issues in society while giving an acceptable amount of depth to these issues. I think this film points out the seriousness of this issue enough to make viewers stop and think about how their daily habits affect the environment and how serious it is for them to reduce their consumption, waste and emissions. 8. What kinds of action or points of intervention are suggested by the film? ** <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">The film suggests that the most important point of action is for the government to make the policies necessary to save the environment and reduce our consumption. We must change from a consumer culture so that it is not so greatly out of balance. We must get away from the media because it disconnects us from nature. We need “cradle-to-cradle” production, to properly filter the water and research more about renewable energy. We also need to practice bio-mimicry. We can also insulate our houses better. We could also raise taxes to retrofit old government buildings will create a massive amounts of jobs. We should also create fair competition between dirty fuel and renewable energy. 9. What could have been added to this film to enhance its environmental educational value? ** <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">I think it would enhance the educational value of this film to delve more deeply into the evolution of man and what sustainable practices we once carried out. <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">
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