"Before the Flood"

 

Before the Flood Reaction

Watching Before the Flood showed just how serious climate change has become and how much the Earth is changing because of it. The film follows Leonardo DiCaprio as he travels around the world, visiting places already impacted by rising temperatures, deforestation, and pollution. Seeing these changes firsthand made the issue feel more real compared to just reading about it or seeing statistics. It reinforced how climate change isn’t just a future problem—it’s happening now.

One of the biggest takeaways for me was how much human activity has shaped the environment. In class, we’ve discussed how urban expansion and industrialization continue to replace natural spaces, and this documentary showed exactly that. Cities keep growing, forests are being cleared, and pollution is increasing, all leading to a cycle that speeds up climate change. The film made me think about how much we take from the environment without considering long-term consequences.

Another major focus of Before the Flood was the role of corporations and governments in climate change. The documentary pointed out how industries that rely on fossil fuels actively spread misinformation to slow down progress toward renewable energy. It was frustrating to see how financial interests are prioritized over sustainability, even though we already have the technology and knowledge to make changes. This connects to what we’ve talked about in class regarding how policy decisions directly impact the environment.

Despite the negative aspects, the film also highlighted solutions. Switching to renewable energy, making more sustainable choices, and changing policies can slow down the effects of climate change. It emphasized that while individual choices matter, larger-scale action is necessary to make real progress. Small actions, like reducing meat consumption or supporting sustainable businesses, can help, but companies and governments need to take responsibility as well.

Overall, Before the Flood reinforced what we’ve discussed in class about how climate change is actively shaping the world. It made me think more about how urbanization, policy, and daily habits all contribute to the problem. The film made it clear that action needs to be taken now, and while progress is possible, it requires effort on both an individual and global level.

Comments

  1. williams.dan76March 11, 2025 at 1:30 PM

    Great review of Before The Flood. It's hard to watch this documentary without feeling stressed. The need to make changes is great, and yet we still have politicians denying the whole concept of climate change, despite half a century of scientific evidence. Companies and governments must, as you commented, take responsibility and then take action. Yet I believe individual choices do help.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Great Day!

Image
  This hike felt a little different than the others. I was walking the trail with Dr. Williams, and instead of focusing only on the environment, we ended up talking about basketball, the Masters, and whatever else came up during the walk. The conversation made the trail feel less like a class assignment and more like a regular day spent outside. Even though we weren’t stopping to point out every plant or animal, I still found myself noticing the little things. The sunlight coming through the trees, a squirrel darting across the path, the sound of wind moving through the leaves. It made me realize that appreciating nature doesn’t always mean being quiet or overly focused. Sometimes just being out there and taking it in, even in the middle of a conversation, is enough. This hike reminded me that nature can be part of normal moments and doesn’t always need to feel like an event.
Read more

Appreciating Time Outdoors

Image
  As soon as the weather started to warm up, I got back into golfing in the mornings. It’s something I used to do more often, but this spring made me want to start again. Getting out on the course early is always better. It’s quiet, the weather is nice, and it feels like a good reset before the rest of the day. This has become a way for me to spend more time outside without it feeling like I have to plan around it. It ties into the stuff we’ve been talking about in class because it shows how nature doesn’t always have to be a hike or a trail. Golf has become part of how I stay connected to the outdoors without thinking too hard about it.
Read more

Urban Wilderness

Image
  Walking through Highland Park, I noticed how much the river running through the middle adds to the space. The trees around it, the way the sidewalks curve with it, and how it cuts right through a developed area all reminded me of what we talk about in class with urban wilderness. You don’t have to be out in the woods to feel like you’re in nature. This was a good example of that. It’s built into the neighborhood, but the trees and water make it feel more open and calm. I probably wouldn’t have thought about it much if it weren’t for this class, but now I notice these things more. It showed me how nature can still be part of everyday places.
Read more