Leonardo DiCaprio...11th hour "Global Warming" concerns!

The 11th Hour is a film focusing on the environment and Global warming, narrated by heart throb, Leonardo DiCaprio.



According to Leonardo,

"Global warming is not only the number one environmental challenge we face today, but one of the most important issues facing all of humanity."

"We all have to do our part to raise awareness about global warming and the problems we as a people face in promoting a sustainable environmental future for our planet."

Written and directed by sisters - Leila Conners Petersen and Nadia Conners - it is a thought-provoking informative film.

Through the medium of celluloid, DiCaprio and leading scientists from around the Globe, are calling for restorative action through a reshaping of human activity.

To some, the voices heard here may sound a lot like an echo from those that spoke out in former Vice-President Al Gore's timely film: "An Inconvenient Truth".

In some respects - yes - it is.

But in this project there are some refreshing takes on some well-traveled territory which make the bill of fair more palpable this time around.

For instance, one writer known in the field on environmental issues, presents an intriguing argument about our natural resources.

For example, he contends that because the population was once basically stable, mankind was able to survive wholly on natural light.

Then, he argues that once man discovered how to tap into the resources of "ancient sun" - in the form of oil and fossil reserves - humans began to live on borrowed time.

"We are time thieves," one scientist chimed in.

Consequently, because of it, we have been exhausting our natural resources ever since.

When the producers show us what occurs when one grand old tree is cut down in its prime - the dramatic impact on the soil, the run-off water, and the overall negative impact on the environment - it becomes evident to everyone in the audience the need to hasten the preservation of rain forests, for example.

And yes, we should be planting trees!

Another wonderful idea put forth in the 11th Hour greatly impacted me as well.

One scientist noted that on earth existence amounts to two commodities: people and property.

Yes, only two concepts that matter today are: owners and the things that are bought and sold.

Nature, he points out, does not appear to have any rights at all.

The scientists proceed to make a very sound argument for implementing laws to protect the earth's resources and our natural habitat.

"The mission of the community should be to inspire action at every level: from individual action, up through our communities, to the State, National and International level. Aggressive action must be focused on shifting our civilization to a sustainable future."

But here, the tale turns sinister.

Yes, influential forces in Washington, D.C. - lobbyists for the all-powerful oil industry - have heavily unbalanced the landscape.

For example, one Government Official in charge of assessing the state of key environmental issues, is an attorney and formerly a lobbyist for the Oil Companies.

Scientists complain that when they submit their findings to Washington for action, he edits out the incriminating forecasts and facts to soften the impact.

Many of you will no doubt recall watching investigative reports on Dateline and Sixty Minutes about the shocking attempts at a cover-up which are expounded on more fully in the insightful 11th Hour.

I was particularly taken by a reminder from one scientist - that in nature, more-often-than-not - waste is not an end product as the human species would have it.

In nature, for example, what is waste to one life form is sustenance to another.

The scientific team assembled here argue that it's time mankind focused on these kinds of solutions in order to survive in the future.

The film is a bit talky, and preachy, and there's an awful lot of scientific info to digest; but, maybe that's the medicine the modern man needs spoon-fed to him so that he will sit up and take notice.

But, the 11th Hour is not all doom, and gloom, or just a downer.

The film proceeds to offer up suggestions and exciting alternatives for the future.

The number one priority appears to be to build sustainable buildings, for instance; after all, there is a need for the planning and development of structures with an eye towards solar power, recycling of waste, and harmonious compatibility with the environment.

At this juncture - when the producers show rooftop gardens and windmill energy and leading edge technology to recycle waste - the possibilities appear to be exciting, overwhelming, and downright encouraging!

The future may be an exciting new road to travel down, if we give it a chance.

At the Q & A afterward, reps from two major environmental action-groups fielded questions about ways in which consumers can help.

It all starts at home with each individual doing their part: recycling, installing solar panels on rooftops, using clean energy.