University of Winnipeg: Climate Change Connection Premieres “The Age of Stupid”
Where will we be forty years from now? How will the human activities of today influence the state our planet in the future? The documentary film, “The Age of Stupid”, starring Pete Postlethwaite, attempts to predict the answer to these questions. Postlethwaite plays and elderly man in 2050. He recounts events through news clips of 2008 and earlier years that should have been warning signs to what was to come should society continue along the same path of energy consumption and exploitation of the Earth’s resources. The clips were recorded in countries around the world, including the United States, Nigeria, France, India, and many more, and were showing great devastation and destruction.
The leading cause behind this devastation and destruction is oil exploration and refining. Because our economies and society are dependent on fossil fuels for profit and energy, the threat of a limited supply is causing wars and unrest between the countries with a supply and those wanting the supply. At the same time, the burning of these fuels to create goods and services as well as provide energy is having detrimental effects on our global climate, and thus all the ecosystems of Earth. Since oil companies have a significant amount of power, they are influencing politicians, the media, and the views of the public.
However, not only is oil being overexploited, but so are other resources like water, land, and animals. At current consumption levels we could destroy ourselves, causing the next mass extinction. Therefore, and as if in hindsight since this film is projected in the future, Postlethwaite poses the question of why didn’t we save ourselves when we had the chance?
Consider the last newspaper article you read, or the last broadcast you saw on television. Did you notice any particular view presented through the wording that described an event, by the types of products advertised, or in the way one
organization was mentioned relative to another? Everything in society, whether it is the media or the politicians running the country, has been shaped by the influence of the major international corporations. This “everything” includes society’s way of thinking, values, and actions. Power through profit and ownership of significant amounts of capital has allowed companies to deter the public form believing there are alternative energy sources, and that these alternative energy sources may be just as profitable and efficient as current ones. Also, companies pretend climate change isn’t happening, and have been able to make the public believe it as well, by funding research that favors the interests of the company. A researcher that implies that the greenhouse gases and other impurities emitted by a company’s production are negatively impacting the environment or health of society will most likely see a decrease in their funding in the future.
Furthermore, when people participate in certain activities, they do not consider the consequences of these activities on future generations. The idea that I can do whatever I want because I won’t be around when the effects of my action are felt has become a more frequent logic in society. Everyone is centering more on their individual needs and wants rather than what may be the best course of action in the long run.
Also, when many people do show an interest in becoming more sustainable, they often balk at the ideas being implemented in their own communities. Arguments surrounding the aesthetical views of wind turbines in a field, or solar panels on community roofs, has negatively impacted further growth in sustainable ener
gy. However, this is “not in my backyard” (NIMBY) mind-set should be applied to coal-run energy production plants, hydroelectric dams, and power lines. Are these features of our societies any more aesthetically pleasing than a wind turbine? Or have such structures become permanent fixtures in our minds as part of the landscape?
Lastly, the film presented many suggestions that may help to deal with the current dilemmas. Placing a global cap on fossil fuels, thus with the hope of creating more equity among countries, and carbon allowances or rationing for companies and individuals are two possibilities for the future as the demand for oil continues. Also, carbon labeling on products similar to a nutritional label on food items is mentioned. Through knowing the amount of oil used to produce a product, many people believe that the public will become more aware of their consumption and thus decrease the purchases of certain goods. Though these suggestions sound plausible, they may have only a minimal influence on the public. People don’t like to change their habits, and therefore will balk at the possibility of having to do so. The age of stupid may simply continue.
Where will we be forty years from now? How will the human activities of today influence the state our planet in the future? The documentary film, “The Age of Stupid”, starring Pete Postlethwaite, attempts to predict the answer to these questions. Postlethwaite plays and elderly man in 2050. He recounts events through news clips of 2008 and earlier years that should have been warning signs to what was to come should society continue along the same path of energy consumption and exploitation of the Earth’s resources. The clips were recorded in countries around the world, including the United States, Nigeria, France, India, and many more, and were showing great devastation and destruction.
The leading cause behind this devastation and destruction is oil exploration and refining. Because our economies and society are dependent on fossil fuels for profit and energy, the threat of a limited supply is causing wars and unrest between the countries with a supply and those wanting the supply. At the same time, the burning of these fuels to create goods and services as well as provide energy is having detrimental effects on our global climate, and thus all the ecosystems of Earth. Since oil companies have a significant amount of power, they are influencing politicians, the media, and the views of the public.
However, not only is oil being overexploited, but so are other resources like water, land, and animals. At current consumption levels we could destroy ourselves, causing the next mass extinction. Therefore, and as if in hindsight since this film is projected in the future, Postlethwaite poses the question of why didn’t we save ourselves when we had the chance?
Consider the last newspaper article you read, or the last broadcast you saw on television. Did you notice any particular view presented through the wording that described an event, by the types of products advertised, or in the way one
organization was mentioned relative to another? Everything in society, whether it is the media or the politicians running the country, has been shaped by the influence of the major international corporations. This “everything” includes society’s way of thinking, values, and actions. Power through profit and ownership of significant amounts of capital has allowed companies to deter the public form believing there are alternative energy sources, and that these alternative energy sources may be just as profitable and efficient as current ones. Also, companies pretend climate change isn’t happening, and have been able to make the public believe it as well, by funding research that favors the interests of the company. A researcher that implies that the greenhouse gases and other impurities emitted by a company’s production are negatively impacting the environment or health of society will most likely see a decrease in their funding in the future.Furthermore, when people participate in certain activities, they do not consider the consequences of these activities on future generations. The idea that I can do whatever I want because I won’t be around when the effects of my action are felt has become a more frequent logic in society. Everyone is centering more on their individual needs and wants rather than what may be the best course of action in the long run.
Also, when many people do show an interest in becoming more sustainable, they often balk at the ideas being implemented in their own communities. Arguments surrounding the aesthetical views of wind turbines in a field, or solar panels on community roofs, has negatively impacted further growth in sustainable ener
gy. However, this is “not in my backyard” (NIMBY) mind-set should be applied to coal-run energy production plants, hydroelectric dams, and power lines. Are these features of our societies any more aesthetically pleasing than a wind turbine? Or have such structures become permanent fixtures in our minds as part of the landscape?Lastly, the film presented many suggestions that may help to deal with the current dilemmas. Placing a global cap on fossil fuels, thus with the hope of creating more equity among countries, and carbon allowances or rationing for companies and individuals are two possibilities for the future as the demand for oil continues. Also, carbon labeling on products similar to a nutritional label on food items is mentioned. Through knowing the amount of oil used to produce a product, many people believe that the public will become more aware of their consumption and thus decrease the purchases of certain goods. Though these suggestions sound plausible, they may have only a minimal influence on the public. People don’t like to change their habits, and therefore will balk at the possibility of having to do so. The age of stupid may simply continue.
DUST Networks. Wind power. [Online]. Avail from: http://www.dustnetworks.com/applications/smart_grid/renewables_wind [2009]
Seed Media Group. Starts with a bang. [Online]. Avail from: http://scienceblogs.com/startswithabang/2009/07/2012_the_real_milestone_the_re.php [2009]
Related links.....
Manitoba Eco Network. Climate change connections. [Online]. Avail from: http://www.climatechangeconnection.org/science_tags.htm [2008 Feb 8]
Spanner Films. The age of stupid. [Online]. Avail from: http://www.ageofstupid.net/synopsis_0 [2009]
Manitoba Eco Network. Climate change connections. [Online]. Avail from: http://www.climatechangeconnection.org/science_tags.htm [2008 Feb 8]
Spanner Films. The age of stupid. [Online]. Avail from: http://www.ageofstupid.net/synopsis_0 [2009]
