#envirocomm

[morchard12]

Going Once... Going Twice... SOLD!

Bidder 70 is a film starring Tim DeChristopher, and his journey through his trial against the United States of America. Tim attended a land auction held by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and he portrays himself as a high end bidder to safeguard thousands of acres of land against oil drilling. He uses civil disobedience to prove a point that land and people matter. 

I thought the film was extremely interesting. The land that they show is absolutely beautiful and the people are very inspiring and strong willed. But on the other hand I think the film was very repetitive and one sided. I agree with the fact that we should work together to help save the plant and that future of the human race. BUT I don't think people have to break the law in order to do so. I do really like the idea of peaceful uprising that Time created while waiting for his long awaited trial. Tim ended up being sentenced to two years in federal prison. 

[morchard12]

Sink or Swim?!

The documentary film Shored Up by Ben Kalina explores the restoration attempts of communities along beaches on the East coast that are trying to slow down shoreline loss. It shows the views of politicians, scientist, town members, business owners, and town officials. 

This film opened the viewers eyes to see what the people in these communities were facing after Hurricane Sandy, besides just rebuilding their homes. They also have responsibility of proving to law makers that their home towns are worth the money and the effort to try and save even if no one else can see that. I had no idea that people in these communities had to fight so hard to save the only place they have ever known to be home. I also had no idea the efforts that are being used to save the shorelines like the replacement of sand on the beaches and the placement of groins.

  The films director does a great job of getting the scientist point of view on how this is a huge environmental problem that people need to care more about. Shored Up got the message across through repetition of the information which I didn't like. If I were the director I would have stayed away from beating the message into people.   

Before seeing this film I thought it was going to be more about the effects of Hurricane Sandy.

I was surprised when it was more about saving the beaches. Overall I thought this was a good film I would give it four stars.