Anybody who cares about environmental law, or Leonardo DiCaprio knows that on October 30th, 2016, Before the Flood came out for free viewing on Youtube, National Geography, and many other outlets. In the hour and a half long film, Leonardo DiCaprio explores the topic of climate change, and discovers what must be done today to prevent climate change from destroying the planet.
While the film is informative and interesting for people that are already convinced that climate change is real, I wonder how many people would have watched it if a huge celebrity like Leo, wasn’t narrating or in the film? This particular film starts with Leo describing how truly pessimistic he was about the world facing climate change issues. There are news clips from around the time of the Peoples Climate Change March, in which news anchors claim that Leo has bought into the climate change “hoax,” and who better to educate world leaders on “climate change” then an actor from Hollywood with zero years of scientific training. Leo then describes the filming of his first Oscar winning rile in The Revenant.
Whether it be because you are truly interested in the implications of climate change, or just love Leo, Before the Flood is worth a watch, and covers many of the important issues of climate change.
Another less acknowledged film about animal agriculture and the impact on the environment is Cowspiracy, which is directed by Kip Anderson. The film was actually executively-produced by Leo, but his name isn’t always directly associated with the film. It would be interesting to see if he played a more “public” role in the film, if it would have gained more attention from people. Whether it be because you are truly interested in the implications of climate change, or just love Leo, Before the Flood is worth a watch, and covers many of the important issues of climate change.
In other celebrity related environmental events, recently, actress Shailene Woodley stirred up the media and public from her protest of the Dakota Access Pipeline. While the issue is hugely important for Native American rights, climate change, and environmental justice, how many people would have cared about the issue if she wasn’t involved?
While I am not saying that celebrity involvement is not important, it is disappointing that these important environmental issues are only getting publicity or acknowledgment because of celebrity involvement. Many people are only drawn to the issue of climate change and its impact because they see movies like this, or their favorite actor is taking a stand on the issue.
Links
Before the Flood- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90CkXVF-Q8M