2016-10-31

Leo tells the story like no one else

We were amazed! The facts have been known for a long time, but this movie still takes fighting climate change to a new level - the scenery, the high level people, how the facts are presented, the urgency of the issue, the brilliant story line. Both of us (and probably the climate) have been waiting for a movie like this one.

Yesterday Leonardo DiCaprios new movie Before the flood was released. For three years Leo has travelled around the world to make this stunning documentary on climate change. Climate change is a hard issue to talk about, and not really something you want to bring up during a dinner conversation. At the same time it is a very urgent issue that all people should know about. For years we have watched every movie made and read every book written on the issue to find the story that have potential to reach and inform the broader public. Maybe this is it!

In Georgia we saw proof similar to the one Leonardo is showing in the picture above. Glaciers are melting fast in Georgia, as well as on Greenland, and unfortunately much faster than expected. Here in Tajikistan they have thousands of glaciers that are now melting. Tajikistan is the poorest country in the former Soviet Union and is highly vulnerable to climate change impacts on agriculture, water, natural disasters and health. The public awareness about this is high, at the same time they are not the ones causing climate change (0.34 tCO2/capita) and they will need international financing to adapt. It's the western countries that need to act!

We have however taken several steps forward globally in the last couple of years. And you won't feel utterly depressed after watching this movie. As the United Nations Messenger of Peace, Leo is not afraid to challenge the fossil fuel industry. In an amazingly easy way he explains the complexity of climate change, gives you the latest research, the latest technological developments, presents the view of high level persons like president Obama and describes where we are today. In only one and a half hour you will be fully updated and hopefully inspired. So make sure to book a movie night this week, because this is the best we have seen ever!