Climate Activists Urge Salem State to Mobilize for Climate Change

By Jessica Freeman

SALEM, Mass. Friday, Sept. 23, 2016 — Geography professors, climate change activists, and a filmmaker urged the Salem community to mobilize against climate change and “to stigmatize fossil fuels” at a screening of “Facing the Surge” and discussion panel.

“Facing the Surge” is the creation of documentary filmmaker Diogo Freire and his production company Adaptation Now. Freire’s film tells the story of Norfolk, Virginia, and the rising sea levels that have caused major flooding.

The film used accounts of citizens affected by the flooding to show the human cost of climate change. Citizens in Norfolk are faced with the decision to abandon their homes or face dangerous and damaging floods. Norfolk is also home to the country’s largest Naval Base, putting local and national security at risk.

Overall, the movie’s message was not of despair, but of hope. It showcases citizens from across the U.S. confronting the government on climate change and fighting for real solutions.

Freire was inspired to create his movie, after watching a film called “Chasing Ice” and seeing the power of climate change documentaries and said he wants his movie to motivate people to talk about a politicized and polarizing subject.

“The purpose of this film is to bring people together for something we don’t usually talk about, but we should,” Freire said, adding that he hopes his film motivates communities to work together and take action on climate change.

A panel discussion on the politics of climate change, and how ordinary citizens can make a difference followed the film, with professor Dr. Noel Healy, Citizens Climate Lobby advocate David Radue, professor Dr. John Hayes, and the filmmaker. Professor Dr. Stephen Young moderated.

One way panelists suggested to fight climate change is to end the use of fossil fuels.

“We need to create a public policy that encourages everyone to move away from fossil fuels,” Radue said.

Panelists stated the public policy to end fossil fuel usage is carbon pricing. Carbon pricing is similar to the government putting a tax on fossil fuels, so consumers will switch to cheaper clean energy.

Healy explained that the technology to replace fossil fuels is already available, but that people need to push the government to make these changes.

“We could have promoted solar and wind on a bigger scale, it could still happen, but it needs political will,” Healy said.

The need for “political will” and peoples’ power to change government actions on climate change were major parts of the discussion.

Freire, especially, advocated for local citizens to confront their government on climate change.

“If I lived in any coastal town, I would put pressure on my local officials,” he said, and urged people to write government officials, protest and advocate for climate change.

Overall, audience reactions to the movie were enthusiastic. Ken Dymond enjoyed the movie, and spoke about the generational aspect of climate change.

“We need to address these problems, it’s not only our problem, but our kids and our kid’s kids problem,” he said.

Another movie viewer, Chritstelle Doamba, spoke about being from West Africa, and her hope for Freire’s movie to be a platform to speak about climate change globally.

“I want to speak to the filmmaker about showing his movie in West Africa,” Doamba said.

Ultimately Freire wants his movie to be a “shared event,” where people are “educated together and are motivated to act together.”

Full Disclosure: Jessica Freeman is a student of the Salem State University geography department.