Members’ Corner is a new, monthly blog series where SPEC members share our favourite sustainability-related resources.
You should watch: Merchants of Doubt
Amarita Pooni, Westside Community Food Market Coordinator
A documentary that looks at pundits-for-hire who present themselves as scientific authorities as they speak about topics like toxic chemicals, pharmaceuticals and climate change. It is really interesting how it correlates the actions of creating doubt in the tobacco industry with that of climate change. While it does discuss other topics as well it bring to light the tactics used to prevent legislation moving forwards against climate change. Discusses the impact climate change has on local community.
You should read: The known unknowns of plastic
pollution, by The Economist
Carol Cohen, SPEC volunteer & Master Recycler grad
This article is about some (perhaps less known) facts about plastic pollution and the ways that it is not as bad as other kinds of pollution, without minimizing the problems with plastic. I like the article because it presented some new information to me and some perspectives that gave me new food for thought about this topic.
You should watch: DamNation
Robin Hadac, SPEC Communications and Volunteer Coordinator
For anyone interested in waterways, fisheries, and the history of dams in the United States, you should watch the short documentary DamNation, by Travis Rummel and Ben Knight. Largely focused on Washington state, the filmmakers look at a number of case studies where the installation of dams decimated local fish runs and flooded key ecological habitats. The film also shows how quickly local fish runs are revitalized when dams are removed. The documentary unfortunately does not touch on BC dams nor the environmental impact that the Site C dam will have on the Peace River, but it is easy to see how BC could learn from the repeal of the dam-craze in the United States.
You should watch: Before the Flood, by Fisher
Stevens
Magali Vander Vorst, SPEC Board member
First of, it has Leonardo DiCaprio, so that’s a powerful reason right there.
If that’s not enough – for some strange reason – then you should watch it because it gives a clear view of day-to-day things that we do that can make a difference at a global scale if only we made the smallest effort to change them. From incinerated rainforests in Indonesia to eating habits in the US, the film tackles a variety of issues and gives well-researched numbers to help you realize the magnitude of many underestimated problems. The documentary is not only depicting a dim future, is also giving you the tools to change that fate.