Global Warning
Canada is fast becoming the leading global example of what can happen when climate politics meet the traditional energy industry. It has the third largest known reserves of oil and gas on the planet and could provide affordable, reliable energy to many parts of the world, but it's not. It's not even producing enough for its people. It is a country living a potentially tragic story of climate politics with important messages for people everywhere who are ready to see a new way forward.
Directed by Mathew Embry
Produced by Peter Beyak
Featuring: Catherine Abreu, Ian Clark, Patrick Moore, Gwyn Morgan, Stephen O'Neill, Ray Owl, John Perkins, Danielle Smith, Fritz Vahrenholt, Robert Watson, and others
When climate change politics have a devastating social and economic impact on his hometown, internationally acclaimed filmmaker Mathew Embry goes searching for answers and discovers a divided nation living a cautionary tale of climate politics for the whole world.
Why what's happening in Calgary, Canada should matter to everyone
In Western Canada, Calgary is close to the magnificent Rocky Mountains. It is the epicenter of Canada's energy sector and home to slightly over 1.5 million people. Like perhaps no other city on the planet, it is currently experiencing the repercussions of climate politics. Aggressive environmental regulations that Canada is enforcing are forcing the closure of a large portion of its traditional energy sector. Due to the stagnant economy, billions of dollars have been lost in investment, and thousands of jobs have been lost. The future of the city is largely dependent on factors beyond its own control, placing it at a crossroads. Although Calgary's impacts of climate politics are clear, the whole picture is considerably wider. It will have a significant impact on all Canadians and should serve as a warning.
Why was Leonardo DiCaprio in Alberta?
Strong environmental organizations deliberately and destructively used public relations to halt the development of Canada's enormous oil sands through the Tar Sands Campaign. In their manifesto, they made it clear that they planned to speak out against Canada's oil and gas business by enlisting celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio and others. Although DiCaprio and the writers of The Tar Sands Campaign denied interviews, Global Warning visited Canada's oil sands so that you may experience it firsthand.
Is an honest conversation about renewables being blocked?
Hailed as the solution to fighting climate change, many countries invested huge amounts of money into renewables, particularly solar and wind. We can now see from actual experience that these proposed energy solutions aren't working as intended. In fact they are causing many problems on their own yet governments continue to push the renewable agenda forward while most people have no idea what's really happening. Global Warning interviewed prominent climate scientists and industry experts that aren't being represented by mainstream media. Is the world as close to a feasible alternative to fossil fuels as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) would like us to believe?
Greenpeace v Patrick Moore
Politics and public relations have taken over the climate debate. Often the voices with the most money behind them are the voices that get heard the most in mainstream media. But that's often not the full story. Greenpeace was part of the campaign against Canadian oil and gas. Dr. Patrick Moore was one of Greenpeace's first members. While Greenpeace was becoming one of the most influential activist organizations in the world, Dr. Moore left as in his words he says "he didn't like what it was turning into."
More about the film's purpose
Global Warning offers a much needed balanced approach to the climate change debate. The film is set in the home of Canada’s energy industry where the debate is having more impact than perhaps anywhere in the world. Audiences are swept into private meetings at a UN Climate Conference in Bonn, Germany, behind the scenes before a pivotal US Congress hearing in Washington DC, then to Canada’s vast oil sands and First Nations into the offices of some of the top experts to explore the issues. In-depth interviews, compelling characters and little known science, Global Warning will connect with those ready for a new journey into the climate debate that may challenge their own perspectives on this highly polarizing topic.
