Environmental Film Series for Spring 2020

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November 20, 2019

The School of Environment and Natural Resources hosts the fifth Environmental Film Series on Tuesdays during spring semester. Each film event, which features lively discussions led by Ohio State faculty and local experts, is free and open to the public. The films begin at 7 p.m. at the Chemical and Bimolecular Engineering and Chemistry in room 130; pizza and beverages will be available at 6:30 p.m.

Course credit is available for students for ENR 4193 section 3681 or ENR 6193 section 3115. These courses must be added no later than Jan. 17 for one credit hour of study. Students must attend the films and listen to the discussions and reflect on these through essays for six of the seven films.

2020 Environmental Film Series

Jan. 21, A Life in the Wild

Hear from Thomas Mangelsen, a renowned wildlife photographer, passionate conservationist and grizzly bear champion. This event will be held upon the opening of a yearlong exhibition of his iconic photographs at COSI. Mangelsen has been featured on 60 Minutes, in the Washington Post and on a TEDX talk.

Jan. 28, Ice on Fire

“Ice on Fire,” Leonardo DiCaprio's newest documentary, is an eye-opening documentary that focuses on many never-before-seen solutions designed to slow down our escalating environmental crisis. The film goes beyond the current climate change narrative and offers hope that we can actually stave off the worst effects of global warming. The documentary highlights firsthand accounts of people at the forefront of the climate crisis, with insights from scientists, farmers, innovators and others.

Feb. 4, A River Between Us

Join the film’s producer and narrator, Jason A. Atkinson, a former Oregon state senator and current candidate for U.S. Congress, to lead a discussion on “A River Between Us.” The film documents the largest river restoration project in American history. Communities of the Klamath River have been battling over its water for generations, resulting in pollution and damage to the river.

Feb. 11, Earthrise and Earth Days

Celebrate 50 years of Earth Day by taking a look back to the first Earth Day on April 22, 1970. “Earthrise” is a documentary interviewing Apollo 8 astronauts who captured the first images of Earth in 1968. “Earth Days” is a documentary discussing the first Earth Day celebration. Speakers and students will share details for the 2020 earth day events in Columbus and Ohio State. 

Feb. 18, Birds of North America

Jason Ward, producer of his web series Birds of North America, will share two episodes of his Topic.com video series and lead a discussion and share his journey from growing up in the Bronx in New York to becoming an avid bird watcher and community relations and outreach coordinator for the National Audubon Society. Hear about Ward’s mission to change the way the public views wildlife and blaze a trail for future generations of children growing up in underserved communities.

Feb. 25, Living Soil

“Living Soil” tells the story of farmers, scientists and policymakers working to incorporate agricultural practices to benefit soil health for years to come. Rattan Lal, Ohio State Distinguished University Professor in the School of Environment and Natural Resources, and Fred Yoder, Madison County conservation grain farmer, will share their work with the land and how impactful soil is for life on Earth.

March 3, The Devil We Know

“The Devil We Know”’ is an exposé of decades of intentional pollution of the Ohio River town, Parkersburg, West Virginia, with a harmful chemical used in the making of Teflon. Ohio State faculty conduct ongoing research of the impacts of these “forever chemicals” on the local community and environment. Rob Bilott, the Cincinnati attorney that led the legal fight for this community, and Linda Weavers, professor of civil, environmental and geodetic engineering, will lead the discussion.

More information on the film events