Exercise 4: Documentary Reflection

November 1, 2023 By: V. Pattenden

Exercise 4: Documentary Reflection

Wildfires:

In consideration of current environmental topics, the increasing occurrence, intensity and duration of wildfires is a major concern for most areas in North America, especially highly forested areas such as British Columbia. The subject of wildfires is discussed in the article “What causes wildfires? Lightning, people, climate change…and obsessively putting them out” (2023), for The Narwhal. The article outlines some of the reasons for the recent increases in wildfires, while asserting that most wildfires are caused from lightning strikes and human negligence, and their extent and duration linked to factors such as, industry-specific forest management practices and fire suppression, in addition to the increasingly exacerbating impacts of climate change (Anderson, 2023). The article criticizes industry-specific forest management practices and fire suppression techniques which have interfered with natural rejuvenation processes and created conditions which significantly increase the magnitude of wildfires by creating an “accumulation” of flammable material, while also addressing how expanding development in mountainous regions contributes to the likelihood of wildfires (Anderson, 2023).

I found this article informative and agree with the main points. Having lived in an area under evacuation alert for the past two summers, fortunately without incident, I can assert that wildfires are very scary and appreciate the outstanding efforts of front liners and emergency responders. From what I’ve observed, the approaches used to combat wildfires have improved greatly using more strategic and effective methods such as facilitating controlled burns and digging trenches, which reduces the need for bombers, both water and retardant. The sectors which need to oversee significant changes are forest management, development, and industry, where practices such as clearcutting should be abandoned, and more care taken with development, since increased human presence equates to increased fire risk. Therefore, it is important that humans do what they can to mitigate and prevent fires because the impacts of climate change will only increase and intensify as time goes on.

Reference

Anderson, Drew. “What Causes Wildfires? Lightening, People, Climate Change…and Obsessively Putting Them Out.” The Narwhal, News (2023). https://thenarwhal.ca/canada-wildfires-cause/

 

Civil Disobedience:

The documentary about the ELF was interesting but sad. While it seems that most of the people involved began with good intentions and sought positive change, ultimately, they became an extremist group and took things too far. Their actions could have potentially harmed or killed people and they admitted to having mistakenly bombed a place which they believed to be breeding GMO trees and later realized their mistake. While the passion and devotion to environmental causes is understandable and commendable, things become dangerous when extreme actions extend past moral boundaries and public safety. History can attest that there are many other, more civil and safe ways to engage in civil disobedience as demonstrated by legendary figures including Gandhi and Nelson Mandela. Modern examples include the incredible and lasting impacts of “The Global Climate Strike” initiated by Greta Thunberg, which did well to increase awareness of global climate issues, especially in the younger generation and generated significant political interest (Weyler, 2019). It’s important to recognize that the environmental movement dates to the early civil rights movements led by groups such as the Black Panthers and the Young Lords, who directly fought for their community’s rights to necessities such as clean air and water (Ludwig, 2023). Meanwhile the later, more indirectly linked “Earth Day” movement of the 1970s was based around concepts such as, preserving natural areas, recycling, and natural resources. Environmental concerns are variable between groups and largely dependent on sociopolitical and economic distinctions which have generated innumerable inequalities and injustices, particularly environmental racism.

Reference

Ludwig, Mike. “The Civil Rights Movement Fought for Environmental Justice Long Before Earth Day.” Truthout, News Analysis; Environment & Health (2023). https://truthout.org/articles/the-civil-rights-movement-fought-for-environmental-justice-long-before-earth-day/

Weyler, Rex. “Why Civil Disobedience Works.” Greenpeace, Stories/People (2019). https://www.greenpeace.org/international/story/24721/why-civil-disobedience-works/