Earthquakes, tsunamis, power outages, rising sea levels, and record breaking temperature highs all make for the perfect formula to a suspenseful apocalyptic blockbuster movie. Hollywood has taunted movie-goers with the notion of the end of the world decade after decade. Short of an alien take over or some type of religious rapture, the recent popular cause of the end of times is brought on by humans, as Hollywood would have it. Some would likely argue that art is simply imitating life, but when it comes to saving the world from humans the reality may be almost too surreal.
Focus Frostburg, an event originally held on Wednesday April 20, attempted to show Frostburg State students, professors, and the casual followers the paramount dangers the human race is spitting back at Mother Nature. From 8:30 AM to 8:00 PM, MORE THAN ten affiliations gathered to discuss what is damaging planet Earth and how to save her from destruction. Some examples included the FSU Geography department, FSU Biology department, Allegheny Power, the Nature Conservancy, and the Sierra Club. Presenters displayed their concern from showing movies and or clips to having speakers present their main arguments. The arrival of Focus Frostburg seemed brought on by the arrival of Earth Day on April 22.
One particular group of interest was the Sierra Club. At 6:00 PM, the Sierra Club began to set up their documentary of choice titled ‘HOME’ in the Lane Center. The turnout showed many eager watchers from professors to students. Those familiar with the polarizing concept of global warming would not be surprised to find that very idea the backdrop to the documentary.
With no hesitation as to what stance HOME would take on global warming, the documentary (narrated by a female voice) began with the introduction of carbon dioxide as well as other gases that make up Earth’s atmosphere.
“All matter is connected,” the narrator stated as the film began to go on and personify all things on Earth – live or not.
That very point was necessary as one of the main points of HOME was to persuade humans to connect and respect Earth.
A materialistic side of some world’s richest nations was then shown. These nations, such as Dubai, were depicted as abusing Earth’s resources without contributing back. Contrasting between the high levels of poverty shown afterwards, the narrator claims that “5,000 people die from drinking dirty water.”
Lasting for nearly two hours, HOME throws out some potentially terrifying lines like “20% of Earth’s population consumes 80% of Earth’s resources” and that “no wealthy nations will be spared” when cataclysmic natural disasters are said to occur.
In spite of the fear inducing panics, the narrator urged humans once more to consider alternative methods to conserve energy and preserve nature (including wildlife) because “it is too late to be pessimistic.”
By Nathaniel Moore
No comments:
Post a Comment