Rachel+Neiman_Annotation+11

__**FILM ANNOTATION FOR "ENERGY CROSSROADS"**__

Energy Crossroads: A Burning Need to Change Course, Christophe Fauchere, 2007  The central argument of this film is that the rate of our energy consumption is entirely unsustainable and action must be taken to fix it. Like the other films that discussed oil, this film states how our dependency on oil has left us in a bad position and that we should turn to renewable energy sources to solve this problem. The film also ties global warming as a result of our energy consumption rates. It calls for people to change the way they view energy, in only one or two forms, and get creative ideas about sustainable alternatives. 3. What sustainability problems does the film draw out? ** This film draws out sustainability issues with the economy and the environment. The film states that “150 years ago, oil changed our world.” This was during the Industrial Revolution. Oil was used because it was a cheap way to power things and to bring heat to buildings. It was said to increase the quality of life of an individual. About 85% of our energy comes from fossil fuels which is the entire base of our economy. Our dependency on oil is our weakness. We were born believing it was cheap energy but this will not last. The United States makes up 5% of the world’s population but consumes 25% of its energy. Cars are not even made noticeably more efficient than they were 80 years ago. The current rate of consumption could lead to a resource war unless nations learn to work together and share. Two-thirds of the world’s population lives in poverty.  As for the environment, our energy consumption is the main contributor to global warming. The more energy we use, the more pollution we send into the air as greenhouse gases. The amount of greenhouse gases is greater now than ever. Glaciers are melting at an alarming rate and completely throwing off the ecosystem. Polar bears are left without homes and water levels are rising quickly. Glaciers are beginning to absorb more energy than they reflect which is the opposite effect it used to have. The number of hurricanes has also increase with the rise of greenhouse gases. The Economist was the first magazine to write about global warming. They said it was the cause of our extreme weather changes. Lots of money and fuel go into transporting goods. This is a sustainability issue because people should really only use goods that they can acquire locally to reduce the resources wasted in cross-country transportation. 4. What parts of the film did you find most persuasive and compelling? Why? ** I was compelled by all of the solutions presented at the end of the film. While it gave on overview of the sustainability problem, half of the film was focused on what can and is being done to solve or reduce this issue. 5. What parts of the film were you not compelled or convinced by? ** There was not any part of the movie that was not compelling. The only issue I had is that this was the third film I had seen covering the topic of energy and it did not present any information that I had not already heard. This film would have been more effective if we had watched this film at the beginning of the class. 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 have liked to learn more about the light-rail contract that was made by the United States. I would also like to learn more about what creative solutions, besides the ones that are already in the public eye, are being developed as an alternative to traditional energy. The film also mentions that we need to rethink the organization of our cities. I am curious to learn what solutions might be presented on this topic and how it might be implemented without starting existing cities “from scratch.” 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? ** I think this would be a great film to watch for any student. This is because it covers a little bit over every topic concerning energy solutions without going too in depth, making it relatively enjoyable. I think it has the potential to encourage students to want to learn more about alternative energy and what companies can do to actually be more environmentally responsible. 8. What kinds of action or points of intervention are suggested by the film? ** The film suggests a relatively substantial number of solutions such as solar energy and wind energy. The film also recommends that we reduce energy usage and then make the energy we use more efficient although it is rather vague on how to accomplish this. It also suggests that we change our cars to plug-in hybrids (which I completely disagree with). Another suggestion is to get involved with the “zero waste” movement. The one brewery it featured produced its own energy from methane it produced from used water. 9. What could have been added to this film to enhance its environmental educational value? ** I would like to have learned more about the science behind a majority of the solutions presented. If people knew more about how exactly these alternatives worked, they might be more inclined to adopt them. It would also be beneficial to add how these alternative energies compare to oil and what research is being done to bring them to mainstream usage.
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