This article analyzes “Before the Flood” by Leonardo Di Caprio as the main character/narrator and Fisher Stevens as the director. The film is a National Geographic initiative to increase awareness about climate change. As the documentary starts, Leonardo DiCaprio briefly discusses The Garden of Earthly Delights, a painting that used to be in his childhood home. According to his observation, the artist (Hieronymus Bosch) illustrated three phases that the earth had undergone since creation. As depicted in the painting, the earth’s evolution portrayed a trend toward death and destruction caused by humans (Stevens & DiCaprio, 2016). Like the painting, the documentary emphasizes climate change as a critical social issue and the impending adversities on humanity if swift action is not taken to contain the crisis.

As an environmentalist, Leonardo Di Caprio travels around the world and meets various leaders to examine how human activities have damaged the beauty and functioning of the planet. In his expedition, Leonardo notes that multinational corporations involved with mining and producing fossil fuels and others in manufacturing and agriculture are the main reasons behind the pervasive environmental degradation. Even with the push to reduce carbon emissions, Leonardo discovers that these companies directly connect with notable U.S. politicians who constantly disapprove of and campaign against climate change (Stevens & DiCaprio, 2016). Generally, Leonardo faults the United States for setting a bad example for other nations who have followed the same industrial development path while disregarding the environmental impacts.

Arguably, climate change has been around since the Industrial Revolution. However, the most significant reason it has become a global concern in recent years is that it has presented crucial challenges that eventually captured humanity’s attention. In the film, former U.S. President Bill Clinton asserts that in the previous decades, most people thought of climate change as an abstract phenomenon (Stevens & DiCaprio, 2016). However, with the melting of ice glaciers, rising global temperatures, and countless deaths stemming from floods, droughts, earthquakes have made it clear that climate change is not an imaginary phenomenon.

Observably, governments, institutions, and people across the world are aware and concerned about climate change. Notwithstanding, most previous attempts to reduce pollution have failed miserably (Stevens & DiCaprio, 2016). In this light, the present solution sought to end the problem should be practical and, more importantly, different. In this light, the only significant answer to climate change is to reduce and gradually eradicate carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere.

Firstly, developed countries should implement a Carbon tax policy to reduce the production and consumption of fossil fuels. Secondly, governments should adopt and employ more resources into clean energy production using renewable sources like solar and wind. Sweden, Germany, and other European countries are excellent examples of the benefits of embracing sustainability. Besides, international environmental organizations and member states should create mechanisms to enforce the Paris Agreement and other recommendations to curb pollution. Furthermore, all stakeholders involved in the fight against climate change should provide information and communicate extensively with the public to create more suitable policies and clear the existing doubts and misinformation (Stevens & DiCaprio, 2016). Moreover, it is critical to employ the current technology and scientific research in creating lasting solutions to environmental degradation. These include organic farming and proper waste management. Lastly, we should all take responsibility for conserving our environment by limiting our carbon footprint by consuming a healthy diet (reducing beef consumption) and carpooling.

Undoubtedly, Before the Flood is an informative and insightful documentary. Through the film, I have learned that humans have continuously plundered the planet with disregard to the peril awaiting the present and future generations due to the greed for money and industrial development. I have also learned that climate change affects all parts of the world (small islands and developing economies) regardless of their contribution to the crisis. Due to this, all nations should come together to address the problem. Lastly, I have understood that there is still hope of restoring and preserving the planet by reducing pollution.

Firstly, I was unaware of the opposition and politicization of a critical issue like climate change. Unfortunately, despite the overwhelming evidence, notable U.S. politicians (including presidents) are misleading the public about climate change. Also, I never knew that the arctic glaciers and the world’s vegetation cover are the planet’s cooling system against high global temperatures. Moreover, I have discovered that beef farming produces large amounts of methane, which is more lethal to the atmosphere than Carbon dioxide. Lastly, I have realized that switching to renewable energy and adopting eco-friendly lifestyles is more complex than it seems because it will involve changing every aspect of our lives in favor of nature.

Reference

Stevens, F., & DiCaprio, L. (2016). Before the flood. Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.