Schwarzenegger and Cameron Collaborate To Fight Climate Change
Hollywood heavy hitters collaborate on climate change documentary
Melting ice floats on water. (photo by Ron Caspi)
In regards to climate change Hollywood director James Cameron had this to say from his new documentary, “99 out of every 100 climate scientists tell us that climate change is real, and that the situation is worsening. If you were sick and 99 doctors told you that you needed surgery, would you ask a second opinion? I don’t think so.”
Starting in April a new documentary by Cameron and Arnold Schwarzenegger will be aired on the American Showtime Channel entitled “Years of Living Dangerously.” Together they have assembled a team of Hollywood players such as Matt Damon and Harrison Ford along with leading climate scientists and citizens of the world already affected by climate change issues, all led by director James Cameron (“The Terminator”, “Titanic”, “Avatoar”) in this project to educate the public on the seriousness of the issues we are facing globally. Each of the eight chapters in the documentary series will be hosted by a different celebrity or senior journalist.
Matt Damon examines impacts of heat waves on public health in California. Harrison Ford travels to Indonesia to show us his first hand account of the massive deforestation and ongoing efforts to stop it. The documentary also touches on the ways climate change is affecting the Middle East from shortages of drinking water to expanding deserts, and the reduction of territories suitable for growing food. They show us how these issues further exaggerate the pre-existing instability caused by public frustrations over corruption and oppressive rule.
The project was inspired as a retaliation to questionable maneuvers by oil companies in California. In 2010 near the end of Schwarzenegger’s last term as governor oil companies led legislative efforts to destroy environmental policies put in place to reduce greenhouse gases 25% by 2020. As Schwarzenegger and Cameron came together for the collaboration Hollywood was swiftly brought on board. “Scientists will never get the attention enjoyed by players.” stated Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Now, almost a decade since Al Gore’s powerful message from his “An Inconvenient Truth” documentary there still remains a large gap between scientific knowledge about climate change and public understanding. This is due in part to the lack of efforts by decision makers to implement any significant changes and regarding existing policies merely as non-binding and irrevocable symbols. Then there are the oil industry corporations who continually sponsor efforts to distribute questionable data and muddle public opinion. One example is the Koch brothers out of Texas who are spending a billion dollars a year to create advertising that presents global warming as a mere myth.
As a mother of 5 children who will inherit the serious effects of these issues I truly appreciate this great effort to wake up the public and motivate people to engage in this battle that will affect everyone of us. It’s only a matter of time. Give a shout out to this Hollywood green dream team as they seek to put the science behind climate change at the forefront to help us make wise decisions that will lead us into the future. According to Cameron, climate change is the biggest story for our time and he is ready to tell it!
Watch the following video trailer highlighting the Schwarzenegger and Cameron Collaborate To Fight Climate Change!
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