After a long wait, National Geographic has finally premiered what is hoped to be a groundbreaking documentary headed by the acclaimed Leonardo DiCaprio. More than a simple narration of marine life or evolution, this film is a striking portrait of reality, a slap in the face if you will, to the potentialities of a bleak future, of the affect a fast paced, high energy consuming society has on the basic environment that granted us humans with the perfect conditions to evolve and thrive. This documentary, Before the Flood, is an hour and forty six minutes of climate change and the harsh consequences we face. It is a desperate plea to raise awareness, a call to action.
Bravely and boldly, the film takes on one of the most challenging foes to ever face mankind. The stubbornness to accept reality and change age old ways. It is widely known by now, after years of environmental activism, that there are still far too many who refuse to believe that climate change exists, or that the earth is facing a dire future full of rising sea levels and arid landscapes as well as a dehydration of necessary resources to keep this highly mechanized world functioning. This attempt at refute even makes its way to the presidential stage, with candidates filling several minutes of debate with statements on how renewable energy takes away from the prosperity of institutions like business. Little do they realize, business will not exist if there is no environment healthy enough for businessmen to make their transactions.
DiCaprio, known for his environmentalism, firmly presses the urgency of which this acceptance of reality must occur. Filled to the brim with scientific evidence, interviews from all perspectives of the issue, and social patterns leading up to this circumstance, Before the Flood is meant to be the ultimate persuasion, appealing to the scientifically inclined and the social/entertainment enthusiasts alike. The film presses the imperative need for a solution, crying out over and over that the earth is rapidly changing, and we as a species are not strong enough to withstand such dramatic alteration.
The reality is frightening, and rightfully so. It's definitely not a bright and sunny future that we face. However, while scare tactics are indeed effective (just take a look at the election), solutions also work to draw people to the issue. With a solution, there is less hopelessness, and more people feel able to contribute to healthy change. The film achieves both of these aspects, jarring us into the harsh world in store for us, while also continually repeating that the window for salvation has not passed.
We can still fix this, we must simply become more aware.
After viewing this unique and exceptionally serious piece on what many consider to be the most important issue the world faces, it is difficult not to think about the impact humanity's actions have on earth. Climate change and the environment may always be in the back of one's mind, but through this bold statement and calling out of the ignorance of society, it is yanked violently to the forefront of daily thought. For it is obvious to those who are inclined to the realities of their surroundings that this issue is not merely going to work itself out like so many others of the past. The clock is ticking and when time runs out, there will be no chance to remedy our self inflicted undoing. The coral reefs are already dying, there have not been this high a rate of species extinction since the great Cretaceous-Tertiary event 65 million years ago, storms are more violent before. The evidence is all around, and this documentary summarized it neatly into an understandable and, dare I say, entertaining platform for everyone to analyze. Once again, National Geographic takes the time to draw every point of an argument and prove it right or wrong in an attempt to raise awareness to reality.
Still not convinced? Go watch the film.
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