If this is not a clear sign of the grave situation our society and the natural environment is in - especially if we continue to pollute, destroy, consume beyond our means - then I'm not sure there is one. Personally there have been many (more important) signs/signals from groups, governments, organizations that should have signified the necessity of change. However, in our media-driven society perhaps the mother of all award shows is the "proper" place for it to really drive home the importance.
Five (5), 1,2,3,4,5 Oscar nominated films are "environmental exposés."
Gasland by Josh Fox is a feature length documentary about the gold rush of natural gas extraction that's going on in the United States. Through a process called hydraulic fracturing of "fracking" that was developed by Halliburton, natural gas is extracted from shale that lies deep below the earth's surface. Wells are pumped with water, sand and other chemicals and sent into fissures in the rock. Essentially, the sand "holds" the shale open while the gas rises to the surface. The issues involved are numerous, but most importantly there is a huge lack of regulation surrounding the industry. The EPA passed legislation emitting fracking from many environmental protection laws. The companies, therefore, are not subject to the same restrictions, permitting procedures or monitoring that safer industries are. Large swaths of the mid-west, where natural gas wells are drilled have had major impacts on drinking water quality and leeching of toxic chemicals into the atmosphere. This creates a dangerous circumstance for those living near to the wells.
"Sun Come Up" follows the relocation of some of the the Carteret Islanders a peaceful community living on a remote island chain in the South Pacific Ocean, and now, some of the world’s first environmental refugees.
Sun Come Up Trailer from Sun Come Up on Vimeo.
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