Response: The 2015 documentary, This Changes Everything, shows seven different communities from around the world as they take matters into their own hands when confronting the climate change crisis. Sitting amongst different Sustainable Systems classes in the Kellen Auditorium, we watched as movements that started at local levels made impactful changes and how these changes can transform our failed economic system for the better. The extent of capitalism’s damage is truly astonishing. Unlike other films dealing with climate change, This Changes Everything doesn’t try to scare the audience into action – it aims to empower… and personally, I felt that this was an effective strategy. I always knew that these sorts of things were taking place around the world (as far as large industries deciding to act on their own best interest goes), but I unfortunately hadn’t been exposed to the extent at which it was happening until watching this documentary. For example, I knew that China has had an issue with their air quality for a while now, but this was my first time seeing how its actually bad enough that an intense smog looms during a large chunk of the year. Another impactful sight was the drastic contrast between some of India’s small farming villages (and wetlands) and the massive coal plants placed in the middle of them. The discussion after the viewing was interesting, though – in one area of the auditorium you had someone from China saying that the smog isn’t as bad as the documentary made it seem, while someone else from Canada talked about having never known about the giant Fort McMurray Tar Sands in Alberta. When asked at the end of the discussion whether or not we felt optimistic or discouraged regarding the fate of our planet, there were mixed reviews. On the one hand we see a rise in protests, awareness, and changes being made, while on the other we realize that convincing a majority of industries to convert to renewable resources is a wicked problem that may never be solved. The opportunity to receive such a global view on our worldwide problems from peers of mine that come from various backgrounds was an experience that I cherish and look forward to continually having.
