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The fantastic Showtime series, (and recent Emmy-winning Years of Living Dangerously) goes on sale tomorrow as a DVD. As I watch the shows, it is clear my earlier reporting on the strength of this project was understated.
Many people have seen the first episode, which was available online. That was just a glimpse of what was to come. Here, I review the second episode which juxtaposed fires in two very different parts of the planet.
It begins with actor and former Republican Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger. He travels through California which is suffering from combined droughts and wildfires which threaten biological systems and human society. Persistent lack of snow and rainfall and rising temperatures are altering western fires. The trends are not just described in scientific literature, although you can read about them here for instance. The trends are also being seen on the ground, by people who know fire.
Mr. Schwarzenegger travels with these fire-fighting “hot shots” as they brave fire and “widow-makers” (falling debris) to protect homes, property, and lives. These young parents, husbands, and sons take dangers in stride even as the country mourns 19 of their colleagues killed in the line of duty.
While the extent of fires varies a lot year-to-year, the destruction of fires has increased on average, and year-to-date statistics are regularly updated. But mingled with these personal stories is real science. We learn that warming along the Pacific Coast of North America has pushed fire regions further north into Canada. The effect on Canada is enormous with record burns being set in British Columbia and elsewhere.
What was perhaps the most impactful scene was Arnold talking and joking with the guys – it reminded me of camping trips I take with my family. Only in the show, there was a dangerous specter in the back of my mind as I thought about what they would face tomorrow on the slopes and all that they had to go home to, families, kids, weddings, and futures.
We also learn that pine beetles are an even bigger threat than fire. Made more prevalent because of the mild winters, they are attacking and destroying otherwise healthy forests. Out in California it is a perfect storm. Increased temperatures, lower humidity and rain, a collision of wildfires, humans, expanding cities, and invasive species… the cost of tree-loss in this part of the planet is something that should concern us all.
At that was just half the show. Forest loss in the United States is mirrored by purposeful fires in Indonesia. In Borneo, we find Harrison Ford investigating deforestation to clear lands for cash crops (mainly for palm oil). Harrison Ford visits an animal refuge where saved orangutans cling to Harrison like a lost father. As we learn that the parents of the young orangutans have been killed, the symbolism becomes more poignant.
But Harrison’s quest continues into the deep intersection of politics, corruption, economics, and back-room deals. He introduces us to local officials with the will but not the authority to make changes and stop the fires. As any great investigator, Harrison Ford keeps searching, keeps knocking on doors, until he gets to the real decision makers. He meets with the Forestry Minister where we learn that 80% of forest-lands have been commercially exploited. The meeting with the minister is painful to watch, like a slow motion crash with dodges, ducks, and dekes as Ford’s questions are greeted with half answers.
Next, Ford meets with the President under the bright lights of cameras and public attention. After that encounter, real action happens – real changes are made. We are left hoping that these positive changes to preserve the forests will be maintained after attentions are turned elsewhere. Real solutions to stopping slash-and-burn policies in Indonesia can turn this laggard into a world leader – a paradigm for the rest of the world.
Finally, Ford returns to the United States to follow the trail of palm oil into commercial markets. He meets with leaders of Unilever, a major palm oil user. There, we learn that Unilever has plans to improve its already strong standards of tracing its palm oil sources. After Harrison Ford asks the obvious question, “How do we know you are sincere?”, new plans were announced confirming their sustainability commitments.
Finally, I was surprised to learn what a critical role Greenpeace had in enacting changes both in Indonesia and in the United States. So often we hear about environmental groups and we wonder what impact they really make. Well for Greenpeace, the verdict is in – confirmed by multiple independent sources. It empowers people from around the world. Sure, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Harrison Ford can travel to the front lines fighting forest fires, meet with the President of Indonesia, and bring attention to critical subjects. But so can the rest of us. We can all make an impact and this episode shows us just how impactful actions are – real change can happen.
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