What are some of your favourite films with
an environmental theme? Jaime and Danielle talked about sustainability in
cinema and invited listeners to share on their stand out films. The co-presenters also enjoyed a discussion with Damian Sullivan from
the Brotherhood of St Lawrence about how their organisation is responding to
climate change in their programs.
There were so many films that came to mind! Cinema has made such a significant contribution to promoting the environmental message. Some of our favourite films:
Erin
Brokovich: Erin Brokovich led a campaign against
Pacific Gas and Electric Company, found to be contaminating water.
The
Matrix: Sci-fi genre, robots/artificial intelligence ‘feeding
off’ energy of humans in a world where environment destroyed.
Gorillas
in the Mist : About Dian Fossey, who worked to
study and save gorillas in Africa.
Avatar:
Sci-fi genre, theme of environmental destruction, and movie portrayed a world as a living entity.
Blade
Runner: Sci-fi, set in a dystopian future Las Angeles world with polluted environment, controlled by corporates.
Star
Trek IV (The Voyage Home): About the original crew
going back in time to the 1980s to save humpback whales from extinction.
Finding
Nemo: Fish were affected by pollutants in the
Sydney harbour, and taken out of the natural environment.
The
Day after Tomorrow: Sci-fi disaster movie looking
at mitigating climate change.
Some notable documentary films:
No
Logo: Similar to Who Killed the Electric Car, looking at the deliberate effort made by motor companies to make people reliant on cars. By Naomi Klein.
An
Inconvenient Truth: The Al Gore classic! We are reminded of Gavin Webber (who we interviewed recently), who after watching this film transformed his life in a very green way. See his blog: www.greeningofgavin.com
Plasticized: By Michael J.Lutman.
About a location in the Pacific ocean where plastic waste is gathering
on a large scale.
Fast
Food Nation: About the horrors of the meat
producing industry in the fast food market. Jaime as a meat eater was particularly disturbed!
Banksia Gardens are continuing their green
film night program. Some upcoming
films include Garbage Warrior, Who Killed the Electric Car and I Bought a Rainforest. You can find out more on the Hume City Council Green
Workshops and film nights: http://www.hume.vic.gov.au/Waste_Environment/Environment/Get_Involved/Free_Environmental_Workshops
Jaime and Danielle spoke with Damian
Sullvian, Senior Manager of the ‘Equity in Response to Climate Change Program’
of the Brotherhood of St Laurence.
The Brotherhood of St Laurence is a
community welfare organization that works across Australia. Their focus areas are in employment,
aged care, youth and children. Their interest in climate change is not
standard for a welfare organization, however the Brotherhood having been addressing climate change in their programs for at least the last four years.
It has been important to plan for the future. Research has shown that climate change could affect the programs of the Brotherhood
of St Laurence in events such as heat waves, extreme storms and food crises. This is particularly pertinent for vulnerable people and households on
low incomes. For example, they may not have insurance and not be in a position to afford repairs of their house or car if damaged by a natural disaster.
The Brotherhood also run energy efficiency
programs, assisting households make changes to help them save
electricity and money. They even help facilitate the recycling of… fridges! They have helped audit and retrofit 700 households to
date, that includes all the standard fare such as changing shower heads and light globes. They are looking into upscaling this program, and are working with the government to identify training options and opportunities for expansion.
It was a very engaging discussion, a
podcast of the show should be available shortly. We hope you will tune in next week!
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