As a team, you and Rodney Whittenberg have created two award-winning films- Caregivers- Their Passion. Their Pain and Angels and Saints- Eros and Awe. How did the inspiration for the film The Eagle and the Condor Unite–A Story of Climate Restoration arise?
Over many years, I, like most everyone, have heard only negative reports on climate change, indicating a lack of progress and a hopeless future for humankind. Like many, I had become fairly depressed and quite discouraged about the subject and withdrew from addressing the subject. What’s the use?? Then, about 5 or 6 years few years ago I heard an amazing online interview of Peter Fiekowsky (conducted by Patricia Pearce) which offered hope about the future of the climate with the possibility that the atmosphere could actually be restored to its preindustrial condition. How could it be possible that there really were scientific solutions being explored that could reverse climate change and restore the climate? Why had we not heard about this possibility?
So I delved deeper and read Fiekowsky’s book, Climate Restoration, also co-authored by Carole Douglis. The scientific concepts are well grounded and accessible. Also, I was very impressed that the science is based upon careful observation and respect for how nature has through millennia restored itself. The leading scientists were therefore respectfully learning from Mother Nature and simply building upon these concepts After a couple of years of further examination and reflection on the topic, I felt inspired to make a film on the topic. The public needs to know this good news and support it actively.
Many people feel, as I did, hopeless about the future of life on this planet. The destruction of our environment and atmosphere is indeed profound and very disturbing. However, this conclusion is quite limited and skewed – indeed this message is probably what the oil industry would even like for us to believe—because it depresses us into inaction?! This way of thinking is largely uninformed and ignores the amazing progress that is occurring with the energy transition (i.e. the proliferation of solar, wind, and other climate friendly methods) ,AND the exciting sciences which are rapidly developing for drawing down CO2 and restoring the atmosphere.
Why is it essential that people pay attention to the messages contained within it?
The dominant message about the future of the climate and the human race itself needs significant revision and expansion in several areas. Indeed there is an elephant in the room that is almost never talked about in the media and traditional climate voices – namely that there are 1 trillion tons of CO2 in the atmosphere that are causing the higher temperatures, rising ocean levels, increasingly frequent and severe hurricanes and forest fires. This legacy carbon must be and can be drawn down in order to reduce such threatening phenomenon. (The energy transition is not sufficient.) The exciting news is that a whole generation of scientists and engineers are committed to solutions and are optimistically and actively working to draw down the CO2.
The other positive message is that the energy transition is indeed spreading around the planet – much more than we realize. The abundance of solar energy is tripling every 2 years and wind energy is catching up. Planetary poverty is greatly reducing.
How can we address those who still, after all of the evidence presented, call climate change a hoax?
There is little value in trying to convince die-hard climate deniers nor doomsday believers. We need instead to give our attention largely to those persons whose minds are open and especially to the younger generations who will be affected the most in the future. Open minds and hearts are also more likely to be among people who love nature, such as campers, hikers, visitors to national parks, hunters, fishermen/ women, grandparents, aunts and uncles who care about the future of their grandchildren.
Please speak about the concept of net-zero vs. decreasing CO2.
The UN goals that were established some 40 years ago have focused almost exclusively on achieving net-zero, which is to stop producing pollution from the use of fossil fuels. It was a worthy goal when first established. And it is still important – just insufficient. Let’s say if modern cultures had heeded that call from the beginning, the legacy trillion tons of carbon to which I just referred, would not exist. Despite the remarkable spread of clean energy through the use of solar, wind, thermal methodologies, pollution by fossil fuels has greatly outpaced the positive success of energy transition. Therefore, the current planetary goal needs to ALSO address the legacy carbon in the upper atmosphere—and the exciting thing is that new methods are rapidly emerging which could solve this problem.
Who are the experts in the film?
Experts in the film include both scientists, such as Fiekowsky and Douglis, progressive concrete producer, such as Brent Constantz and a number of other progressive industrial leaders who are interviewed in the film. Our new website also provides a bibliography of such scientists at https://www.lifedreamfilms.com/the-films/the-eagle-the-condor-unite/media-resources/ and a reference to scientific studies featured at Deep Green Solutions: https://deepgreensolutions.org
As a therapist, I am particularly concerned about climate anxiety. Please explain what it is and how it impacts people.
Climate anxiety is understandable. There is understandably a sense of grief and loss as we’ve watched the degradation of natural resources, the pollution of the air and rivers, the destruction caused by increasing numbers and ferocity of hurricanes, forest fires that are destroying beautiful forests and people’s homes and livelihoods. Grief and anxiety are understandable for the losses that have occurred. But is premature to give up and to grief over a future that can be healed.
What is Biomimicry?
Biomimicry is the process by which scientists are respectfully observing, listening to nature, observing and copying her methods. Over the millennia nature has always drawn down CO2 in a cyclical manner, i.e. it restores the atmosphere. There is now ample evidence in the study of deep ice cores which illustrate the methods. Natural phenomenon like earthquake, for example, have spread their dust into areas of the oceans thereby effectively fertilizing these areas and producing phytoplankton and photosynthesis which draws down C02 and produces abundant oxygen. There are many other methods that are being studied and copied, including kelp farming, reforestation, soil restoration, etc.
What can we each do to create a healthier and sustainable planet for the next generations?
There is a youth and young adult movement that is just beginning, and as I’ve mentioned there is a new generation of young scientists and engineers.
How can we teach young people to respect the Earth?
Hoping that our film will reach young people as we feature the younger generation prominently and the creative scientific and entrepreneurial work they’re doing.
I was present when the movie was screened at a senior living community. What motivation do you see being present with elders?
Appealing to older adults’ desire for the health and welfare of their grandchildren and future generations.
How does the film provide hope?
It provides a new message in contrast to the overworked “gloom and doom” narrative. The film draws on indigenous wisdom (the condor) and presents examples of the emerging sciences (the eagle) which honor and learn from the environment. In that sense, we receive a glimpse of the actual emerging unity of the ancient legend.
You can view the trailer here.
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