For the past few decades, global warming continually grows as an international topic of controversy. The Oxford Dictionary states the definition as “a gradual increase in the overall temperature of the earth’s atmosphere generally attributed to the greenhouse effect caused by increased levels of carbon dioxide and other pollutants.” In National Geographic’s documentary Before the Flood, featuring Leonardo DiCaprio, the actor travels worldwide as a United Nations’ Messenger of Peace representative to spread awareness about global warming.
These representatives serve in the capacity of people in the limelight, cautiously chosen from the fields of workmanship, music, writing, and sports; philanthropically, they have consented to help concentrate on specific tasks assigned by the United Nations. DiCaprio meets with scientists around the world and goes on expeditions allowing him the observation of climate change first-hand as well as convening with political figures that oppose the thought of climate change existing as a real issue. On the journey, DiCaprio also introduces specific interest groups; for instance, the Heartland Institute, CFACT, and Americans for Prosperity that currently try to undermine the global warming crisis by organizing campaigns that distract the public from the climate issue.
Therefore, he meets with important figures in society like Ban Ki-Moon, a United Nations’ member, thereby educating himself and to bringing change to the United States regarding global warming. The documentary suggests solutions for global warming and reduced overall effects if society takes the necessary measures. This documentary uses an effective approach in sending their message about the current situation of climate change and provided solutions in a visual way that appeals to the audience using statistical findings, credible scientists in the field, and showing what could happen in the future if global warming is not resolved in a certain time frame.
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National Geographic, now mostly known as broadcasting network, establishes itself as a magazine company owned by the National Geographic Society founded in 1888. The articles include information relevant to topics of culture, geography, and history. National Geographic reports as a highly-factual media source that adheres to a strictly pro-science prejudice. To maintain this prejudice, National Geographic only accommodates scientific sources such as legitimate science or other evidence-based sources to remain scientifically credible. Legitimate science complies with the scientific method along with steering clear of bias and loaded words. Additionally, their sources utilize the recognition of professional’s consensus in the given scientific field as well as exclusively seeking to publish peer-reviewed science. Although sources follow scientific principles, few might contain a feeble amount of political bias in particular categories.
Leonardo DiCaprio, a well-known actor, continually looks to create change on a global scale using his critically acclaimed stature in society. Through his foundation called the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation (LDF), DiCaprio works to better educate society on global warming as well as funding projects to protect ocean and forest environments. Along with these environmentally-based projects, he has created numerous documentaries to commence change and increase awareness on the issue. In 2014, during the making of the film, DiCaprio, chosen as a member of the United Nations as a Messenger of Peace representative, elected to give a speech focusing on the problem at hand, global warming.
Moreover, DiCaprio received an important award called the Crystal Award by the World Economic Forum due to his dedication to his work to globally spread the crucial message and immediacy of climate change. Leonardo acts in many more capacities than just the Chairman of LDF and a United Nations Member, he also serves on multiple boards of non-profit organizations such as: National Geographic Pristine Seas, Natural Resources Defense Council, the funders’ collaborative Oceans 5, International Fund for Animal Welfare, and the World Wildlife Fund.
The documentary pinpoints important political and scientific figures and recalls them as the most conspicuous climate-deniers. This cast of experts have been denying all the evidence, leaning toward global warming and making money due to their devious ways. Most of these so-called “experts” frequently begin any statements with the phrase “I’m not a climate scientist, but…” before continuing their series of recited talking points, intending to confuse society on global warming being a problem. These figures often receive additional compensation through operatives by organizations known as The Heartland Institute, CFACT, and Americans for Prosperity. The organizations receive endowments from multiple fossil fuel corporations willing to stall any initiative to restrain emissions for fossil fuel or expedite the process of having better energy sources such as solar and wind power to create a more affordable source for society.
As per AR5, one of the logical reports at any point attempted, around 9,000 companion-assessed research papers put together by researchers from about each nation on the planet, have finished up the ebb and flow discussion of environmental change is finished. One thing it clarified – environmental change constantly occurs and now uproots millions around the world. Floods, super storms, record-breaking heat, rapidly spreading fires, dry season, strife – due to these sensational changes could indicate Earth entering another geologic age. Leaving the Holocene age, our planet begins the Anthropocene, an age in which people are the essential drivers of progress on Planet Earth.
Our planet gains heat quickly, and researchers constantly demonstrate that the fast changes we see are not because of sun-powered action, volcanoes, or other common wonders. Contamination lead to the change. Around two-thirds of the contamination that drives environmental change stems from the consuming of non-renewable energy sources – coal, oil, and gaseous petrol – with another quarter of the contamination originating from deforestation and farming. DiCaprio effectively uses rhetoric throughout the film to deliver his well-thought out message. He conveys a logical, well-organized, and genuine message, as well as applying pathos to appeal to the audience’s emotions.
For example, the way he uses pathos appeals to the public’s emotions which informs people about how the planet possibly could be coming to a downfall because of the current climate change. In addition, he justifies in his speech to the UN, “[t]his is not about just telling people to change their light bulbs or to buy a hybrid car. This disaster has grown beyond the choices that individuals make. This is now about our industries, and governments around the world taking decisive, large-scale action.” Throughout the film’s entirety, visuals complement a slideshow-format along with music and incorporates his voice in the background. Leonardo integrates many animals and different people in the documentary, eliciting an emotional response, which in turn causes the audience to maintain focus due to the realization they will soon be affected by climate change.
DiCaprio produces the documentary in order to personally touch the spirit of specific individuals, yet the picture intends to influence the masses. He states, “[w]e are running out of time and it now incumbent upon all of us, all of you, activists, young and old, to please get involved. Because the environment and the fight for the world’s poor are inherently linked. The planet can no longer wait, the underprivileged can no longer be ignored. This is truly our moment for action.” In the documentary, DiCaprio interviews many important figures around the world such as the Pope, the President of the United States, Presidents of other well-known countries, doctors, scientist, and other individuals who feel as though climate change impacts the globe on a mayor level.
DiCaprio even addresses the vast carbon impression that he himself has left on the planet, conceding that he here and there inquiries the ethical quality of his actions. Though people with no uncertainty attack this film with blades honed, DiCaprio intends to address these reactions forthright. Also, truly, the creation took endeavors balancing its carbon impression amid shooting.
On the most fundamental level, Before the Flood creates a story made for mass utilization with an end goal in educating and inciting society-in-general enthusiastically. In that regard, the film successfully delivers his message, as exemplified by mixing cold, hard actualities from master researchers just as exchanges with world pioneers and those straightforwardly affected by the impacts of environmental change. The availability of this documentary by any number of individuals remains consistent expected under the circumstances.
Environmental change is real and frightening. In, 2016, the NatGeo film achieved an outstanding sixty million views, possibly making the documentary the most viewed in history. The film exists on multiple platforms such as Netflix, Youtube, or found online on their website (beforetheflood.com). Educating the public remains the first line of resistance, however, keep in mind that an element film could not in any way, shape, or form embody everything encompassing the matter.
Before the Flood serves as a not-insignificant piece of education that optimistically spurs people to continue their own further research, and hopefully it will provoke action through society. Through this documentary, many people realize that global warming exists as a world-altering problem. Documentaries such as these cause many changes throughout the United States and other nations to lessen global warming, which Dicaprio planned on doing by filming Before the Flood.
Works Cited
- Before the Flood. Directed By Fisher Stevens, performances by Leonardo DiCaprio, National Geographic, 2016.
