Climate Refugees

Gr 9 Up—Michael Nash's documentary explores the conditions facing those who are displaced by floods, hurricanes, tsunamis, drought, and other natural disasters. The film warns that these climate refugees, leaving their countries of origin, will strain other nations' resources, leading to a possible collapse of civilization as we know it. Nash and his crew traveled for nearly three years, gathering footage and interviewing victims of environmental disasters in Africa, China, Bangladesh, and the United States. Their emotional tales include a young mother whose infant child was swept away in flood waters and a grandfather who lost his farm and all sense of worth to his community. Nash also interviewed scientists; heads of international organizations on aid and climate change; a Nobel Prize-winning activist; the prime minister of an island nation that is sinking beneath a rising ocean; and political figures such as John Kerry, Nancy Pelosi, and Newt Gingrich. Obviously passionate about this topic, the filmmaker's agenda (as explained in his voice-over) is to encourage the United States to lend greater aid to these refugees. The documentary is beautifully shot, with high quality visuals and sound. The music is diverse throughout, evoking the culture depicted onscreen. Computer graphics enhance the content, giving a visual representation of the changing face of the world, including the shrinking of vegetation in Africa and the projected rising coastlines of Florida. Although the film is lengthy, it is nicely divided into chapters that each focus on a single region, making it very usable in classroom situations. Educators will find countless discussion starters in this valuable resource, and motivated students may find inspiration.—Ryan Henry, Daviess County Public Library, Owensboro, KY