In Our Own Backyard

Monday, May 7

Screening

7 pm

Any illusion that North Americans have that they will escape the more severe effects of climate change is dispelled by the imagery and commentary in the pieces that will be screened in this program. Both works demonstrate the interconnectedness of the world’s natural systems and provide examples of the devastating effects of environmental degradation on human and other life around the world and in our own backyard, the landscape of southern Alberta.

The Vanishing Ice
Producer, Director, Writer: Rachel Gauk
2005 - 21:22 minutes
Distributor: Rachel Gauk (Shadow Light Productions)
Artist in attendance

The planet heats up, glaciers and ice caps melt at an alarming rate, and fresh water supplies are in jeopardy. In The Vanishing Ice, Rachel Gauk, captures the function and magnificence of glaciers with stunning footage and interviews with several of the world’s water specialists, including activists, scientists and writers. This documentary explores how to solve the water crisis in the context of a rapidly globalizing world.

The Refugees of the Blue Planet
Directors: Helene Choquette and Jean Phillipe-Duval;
2006 - 53:12 minutes
Distributor: NFB

From sour gas extraction in Alberta to monoculture eucalyptus farming in Brazil to the sinking island of the Maldives, rampant global exploitation of natural resources threatens the life-supporting environment of millions of people. The Refugees of the Blue Planet documents stories of injustice, marginalization, and power-imbalance as well as the plight of environmental refugees. In doing so, it vividly captures the cost of development on a global scale.

Panel Discussion

Following the screening.

Panelists include:
Anne White
Anne White is a religious studies scholar. She has a Ph.D. and an MA from the University of Calgary (Religious Studies), as well as a BA from the University of Sudbury (Religious Studies). Dr. White is an environmentalist who teaches in the Department of Religious Studies at the University of Calgary where she is currently a full-time sessional instructor. She also teaches at Mt. Royal College as a part-time instructor.

Dr. White is a published author, editor and researcher, and her writings have been presented as books, in scholarly journals, and in historical periodicals. She also presents at environmental and religious studies conferences with her most recent presentation being in January 2007, at the Hawaii International Conference on the Arts and Humanities. She is currently researching material for a book on spirituality and the environment.

Ann-Lise Norman
Associate Professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Calgary

Conny Davidsen
Assistant Professor of Geography, Environmental Policy Processes, Department of Geology, The University of Calgary