Documentary Film 2008
sophomore class project
Climate Change and Human Health
Can Climate Change Make Us Sicker?
Jason shared this Time/CNN article with me–it was really intersting.
In this article, Bryan Walsh writes about the effect of climate change on human health, including
- a rise in malaria caused by the increase in strong downpours
- heat related deaths caused by heat waves in places not used to such temperatures (Europe 2003), especially the elderly
- water borne diseases because the water cycle changes (heavy rainfall)
“For him, carbon dioxide should be treated as a pollutant that damages human health, albeit indirectly, and it’s in our medical interests to reduce it. ‘Energy policy becomes one and the same as public health policy,’ says Patz”
Check out the Nature editorial that says that slowing global warming would be very difficult because the “technological changes needed to decarbonize energy could be much harder than we thought”–are we already too late?
“the priority should be adapting our public health system to a warmer world, versus spending on carbon mitigation.”
Patz thinks that we have a plan for the effects is important but even more important would be “cutting off the problem upstream”
On the page of this article, there was a podcast that was an interview with Dr. Jonathan Patz, a professor of environmental studies and population health sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (that’s where Mr. Landow went to school–I wonder if he knows him!), in which he elaborated on some of the ideas in Walsh’s article. It was also a good example of an expert interview–I think the interviewer may have been Walsh.
Some interesting ideas:
- Important not just adapting, but fighting the causes–
- Greenhouse gases have a 1/2 life of 70-100 years–we will have a warming, so we will need to adapt, but that is not all–if we only focus on that, “we’re mopping up the floor while the faucet is still running”
- Patz talks about the importance of environmental policy merging with energy policies and health policies–they all converge with climate change.
Reflection
This was an informative article and interview. The fact that the CO2 is not going away for awhile, no matter what we do made me realize that adaptation and preparation for the health and economic concerns is going to be essential. But that is not enough–I think people may think the fix is the solution–we’ll take our medicine and avoid malaria, but do nothing to stop the cause of the disease (literal and metaphoric).
April 23rd, 2008 at 1:02 pm
You all look like you are very focused on what you hope to accomplish. WELL DONE!!
Now, as for a meterologist, I think I might know someone if you would like to interview him. I think he works at St. Louis University or teaches there. I could speak with him if you need a resource!!
You guys ROCK!!! Keep up the good work!
April 23rd, 2008 at 1:33 pm
OK, here is my second suggestion. This is more from my sales background than anything else. When contacting these experts, you need to give them a reason to want to help. By saying, “I was wondering” you are giving the impression that you are not confident. This is as much about selling the project to them as it is doing a good job with the project.
Some of the letters were very good. Remember, especially if you are targeting on air personalities, that they are on the air for a reason. They like to see themselves. So you have to give them a “what’s in it for them” pitch. Not a pitch that says, “I’m not sure why I am contacting you, you just seemed like a good person to call.” Be confident in your letter:
Dr./Mr./Mrs./Ms._______
As a sophmore student at Parkway North High School we have been given the opportunity to film a documentary detailing the effects of Global Warming. As a meterologist/evironmentalist/etc. your input is invaluable to the success of our project. I would like to schedule a time to visit with you and document your point of view. I will contact you later this week to schedule an appointment. I look forward to meeting with you in the near future.
Sincerely/Best regards,
John Doe
Parkway North High School
Class of 2010
j.doe@yahoo.com
314-415-5617
Or something like that. Let them know or think that your documentary would not be complete without their input. Once you have them on tape your job is done. It might have been the worst interview in the world and totally useless, but you got the interview.
As for the interviewee. Be creative. I did a documentary in college dealing with censorship. Some of the people that we thought would be the BEST were the worst and vice versa. Go in with the attitude that this interview will ROCK and you know it…but then you need to make sure you know what you are asking and that you are educated on the topic.
Good luck!!!
April 24th, 2008 at 9:31 am
I love what Mr.Hazelton is suggesting. When calling some places before i got the interview with Kent, I felt this vibe that the people i was talking to were just wondering what is in it for them so i would try and change it up then i landed the interview. This could work and i will remember to use this when i contact Jim Kramper.
May 8th, 2008 at 7:46 pm
Marty, Kelsey, and I have contacted at least nine specialists but have not been able to land any interviews. I have called six people and every time they either could not do the interview at all, or they were unavailable until the middle of summer. Tomorrow I’m planning on interviewing Mr. Duggan, my biology teacher, and seeing if he can shed any light on global warming.
May 13th, 2008 at 6:40 am
Andrew, Jill, Edward, Brandon, and I have only thought about going to earth day to get some specialist. Brandon has asked Mrs. Frau and she agreed to do the interview about how it’s affecting Germany.