Disobedience
The future of Earth is under attack. In the past few years alone, we have witnessed unprecedented storms, massive oil spills engulfing our oceans and marine life, and the hottest temperatures on record in human history. Climate change is real, and people have a responsibility to reverse its negative effects. That’s the argument that drives disobedience, a fascinating and well-made documentary by activist group 350.org.
The film makes that argument known from the outset by critically examining the actions taken at this year’s UN climate summit in Paris. While all world leaders seem happy with the outcome of their meeting, the film claims their final agreement will do nothing to reverse global warming in the coming years. Believing that calls for real and lasting change cannot be answered by powerless politicians, the film tells the story of diverse groups of activists around the world taking the struggle into their own hands.
Lidy Nacpil, a spokeswoman for the Movement for Climate Justice in the Philippines, is working to rally a citizens’ group against the proposed Batangas coal-fired power plant. The plant will generate more than 7 million tons of CO2 emissions per year and therefore pose a serious threat to the environment. The country knows from experience how the voice of its people can inspire profound change. Violent protests led to the overthrow of dictator Ferdinand Marcos in 1986. A growing number of like-minded citizens hope to ignite the same level of enthusiasm and protest for the region’s burgeoning fossil fuel industry.
In Canada, a rapidly growing pipeline is slowly polluting the purity of seawater and other natural resources. Residents of the area refuse to accept any payouts from big corporations in exchange for their complacency. You choose to fight.
Introduction by introduction, Disobedience introduces us to an inspiring group of people who are committed to a better way of life for their families, their communities, and their planet. Along the way, scientists and scholars enlighten viewers about the role of civil disobedience in influencing reform, the economic impact of environmental disasters, and the myriad social problems exacerbated by climate change.
