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Global Warming
What’s Up with the Weather?
Produced and Directed by Jon Palfreman
Nova/Frontline
Distributed by WGBH Boston Video, 2000
Two sections, total running time 52 minutes
 The overall issue of the inclusive two-hour program is global warming - whether it really exists, whether it is caused by human actions, what the consequences might be, energy consumption throughout the world, political efforts to recognize and deal with global warming, particularly the Kyoto Accords, and possible future scenarios.
Section One (approx. 36 minutes)
Background science and stating the case
This section begins with the program opening and illustrates the difference between weather and climate and what we know about global warming and burning fossil fuels, particularly the attempts to measure global climate now and in both historical and prehistoric times. Information includes studies of ice samples and tree samples, and Keeling's experiments showing earth's respiration and how the rise and fall of CO2 levels correlate with human actions. We see what humans do to produce CO2 and graphics about the sun's rays and the greenhouse effect, and a CO2 lab demonstration showing the effects of carbon dioxide in the air. On the other side of the issue, a Western Fuels Association spokesman maintains that CO2 is a beneficial fertilizer and the only concern is that CO2 levels are too low. There is controversy about the possible effects of CO2 levels in the air, everything from catastrophic to beneficial.
Section Two (approx. 16 minutes)
Benefits and problems of various alternative fuels
Projections indicate increased production of CO2 and other greenhouse gasses both in industrialized and developing countries. Since industrialization produces a healthy economy, all nations wish to continue or even increase their industrial output. Are there ways of producing non-polluting energy? Spokespeople talk about renewable sources, especially hydro, solar, wind, biomass and nuclear power. Cogent points are made for and against each source, and a suggestion is made that we need more research and more informed decision-making.
Note to user:
In order to reduce this two-hour video to a manageable length for library presentation, a certain amount of information has been deleted. In order to take further advantage of the program, and if time permits, the following optional sections may also be viewed.
Optional Section One (approx. 15 minutes)
Politics and Kyoto Conference issues
View this section after the first recommended section
This section begins with the Kyoto conference and highlights the problems and politics involved in setting national limits on greenhouse gas emissions. Fingers are pointed at the U.S., consumer of one quarter of the world's energy and producer of most CO2 atmospheric pollution. We see examples of energy use from toasters to showers to cars to industry. The future of global warming, however, seems to rest with developing countries. If they follow the U.S. models, global warming will be catastrophic. But is it fair to ask them to slow down progress while the U.S. continues to be the primary culprit? The issue is one of pitting rich nations against poorer nations for which increasing industrialization is vital for raising living standards. The problems, of course, have been highly charged politically.
Optional Section Two (approximately 4.5 minutes)
Show closing and wrap-up
View this section last
The wrap up reiterates that the Kyoto accords have failed, CO2 levels will continue to rise, serious results may be seen in rising sea levels, increased intense storms, droughts, crop failures, spread of disease, famine, destruction of species and habitats. Or maybe not. Whatever the degree of result, we're in the fossil fuel era and we have to get out of it with alternative fuels.
Technical Notes:
Begin the first section by fast forwarding through the FBI notice, Nova and PBS advertisements and tease. Set your video timer to 00 at the first frame of picture of ocean waves, just before the program title appears and just after the announcer says "…and viewers like you." Screen this sequence without stopping until the video counter reads 36:12, after Fred Palmer says "…without CO2 in the atmosphere, plants would disappear."
Fast forward until the timer reads 1:24:25. Start section two at the picture of a tractor on a large coal hill and the narration: "If America consumes ever larger amounts of energy, and if the developing nations follow in its footsteps…." Run this sequence until the counter reads 1:39:07 which ends with a scientist saying: "…on a long term basis with carbon-free energy."
Optional sequence one begins at video counter number 57:56 and runs through 1:12:47. The opening picture is of clouds moving in the sky and the narration is: "The emerging consensus among climate scientists that global warming is real…." The closing picture is of flags flying at the Kyoto conference, Narration ends: "…back at Kyoto, confronting these issues polarized the conference, pitting rich nations against poor."
Optional sequence two begins at 1:46:40 with a shot of a scientist releasing a weather balloon. Narration is: "Most climate scientists are now resigned that Kyoto has failed."
Run to end of black fadeout at 1:50:06. The last words of narration are: "because the potential is that we're changing the face of the earth for all future generations."
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