Kansas vs. Darwin

The whole creationism and intelligent design movement and the whole discussion surrounding it in the United States was, and still is, quite the alien concept to me. With the very few things that I do know about biology, evolution and the scientific method that these proposed “theories” have absolutely no scientific merit whatsoever.

As such the documentary Kansas vs. Darwin was an eye opener. It’s a good introduction to the bid these proponents are making for getting their ideas taught in schools. And the whole mindset surrounding it. A good watch if you are interested in these subjects.

Best of all, you can see the whole documentary for free till the 12^th of March.

GASLAND

It’s not often that after watching a documentary I’m utterly outraged. But the documentary GASLAND managed it.

The documentary starts with filmmaker Josh Fox receiving a cash offer for a lease to drill on his land. It triggers a journey across 32 states to find out if it’s safe. To see with his own eyes what the process of hydraulic fracturing of rocks, fracking, to liberate natural gas entails.

During his journey he meets other rural resident who have been living with the consequences of fracking. It’s a tale of toxic streams, ruined aquifers, dying livestock, brutal illnesses, and kitchen sinks that burst into flame!

Yes, you read that right, water that actually burns when you put a lighter to it. Water from wells that have been safe for years to drink now are so toxic and polluted that they burn. Not to mention what it does to your health when you drink it.

This is something we haven’t seen since the sixties when for example the Cuyahoga River caught fire (and it wasn’t the first time either). Incidents like this were the direct cause for the Clean Water Act that was passed into law.

But why you might ask is this then even possible with current legislations? Fracking is exempt from regulations stipulated by the Clean Water Act. They don’t have to report what they use in a fracking fluid. And the people that become the victims of the consequences have to fight to get help, but the damage by that time has already been done. Both to the environment and to the health of the people who live in the area.

And even with this example and all the historical precedents a lot of people in the GOP want to get rid of the EPA and the environmental legislations it enforces. All this because of the reasoning that these regulations hinder job creation and are not necessary. It’s just a symptom of big government and wasteful spending.

This is what has me in an outrage. These rules are there for a reason, they protect the environment and so us from harmful pollutants. Not having these might create some jobs, but no job is worth anyone’s health.

I truly recommend watching this documentary, as it shows perfectly why some regulatory oversight is necessary.

No Impact Man

A couple of days ago I had the chance to view the movie No Impact Man. In it author Colin Beavan starts exploring what it means to make absolutely no impact on the environment. A journey his daughter and his wife Michelle take with him.

And it’s a weird journey indeed. It goes as far as no electricity and no toilet paper (they used washable cloths). Which marked this documentary in my opinion as gimmicky, who is going to take anything from this documentary seriously because of that?

But two thirds into the movie he gets it. He realises it’s not about using almost nothing, it’s about how you use it what you use that matters.

What’s really interesting about this phase is that it’s the first time that I’ve realised that it’s not about using as little as possibly we can use, but finding a way to get what I need in a sustainable way. And that’s what we need to do with my electricity, with the solar panel. But that’s also what we need to do with our systems, we just need to figure out how to get people what they need in a way that does not harm the planet.

This is exactly what we need to do, figure out how to do what we currently do in a sustainable manner. It’s what a lot of people currently are trying to do, and I’m even doing myself.

For one I just use 600kWh on a yearly basis. Which is nothing compared to the 3,500kWh an average Dutch household uses, or the 11,000kWh an U.S. household uses. But I do not skimp on creature comforts, I just pick my electrical devices with care and use them smartly.

Or what about the 5 trash bags I put outside last year? I reduce, reuse and recycle so much of my “waste stream” that I almost have none left to throw away. Again, it’s not because I don’t buy anything. I just pick my products carefully and know what and how to recycle.

And this is what made me enjoy this movie. It is gimmicky in parts, but it is blatantly honest about what works in what they try and what doesn’t. And they do take a honest look at what’s wrong in our current society, and most importantly, the opportunities we have to get it right.

It might not be the movie for you, but it certainly is one of the must see documentaries that will make you think. And that in itself makes it worth watching.