Geography has always shaped the way human beings look and interact with the universe at large. The movie Home produced by Yann Arthus-Bertrand is a fascinating scientific escapade that explicitly describes the transition of nature under the hands of man’s experimentation. As the earth’s population continues to escalate, human actions continue to destabilize the existing ancient ecological balances. The movie’s scientific revelations focus mainly on the predicaments of human-environment interaction. To a certain degree, the linear events unfolding in the film gives a convincing description, understanding and prediction of the troubles that we are yet to face as a globe if our actions on the environment will not change.
Home illustrates an in-depth revelation on the catastrophic climatic changes caused by overdependency on natural resources. It is an excellent piece of cinematography with incredibly captivating visuals, words, voice, music, indisputable facts, and message. The purpose of this movie is to bring the audience (Nations, states and individuals) into space where they can visualize the evolution of the earth from a formless universe into what became a habitat for billions of creatures, both living and non-living, which all play a fundamental role in balancing the ecosystem. Every creature tries to find its place by adapting to its nature. Human beings have always depended on the environment for survival. They have conquered the world more than any other species, and their actions have enormously resulted in ecological imbalances which critically requires restoration and protection.
The credibility of the sources in the movie is authentic and fascinating. For instance, excessive mining, refining, consumption of fossil fuel, extreme agricultural practices, deforestation, among others, are threatening the global climatic conditions, with global warming being the most significant risk. Natural catastrophes such as droughts, floods, and storms caused by the adverse global climatic changes threaten food security, cause economic instability and infectious diseases. Additionally, human modification and adaptations to the environment, such as constructing buildings, mining, agriculture, settlement, technological advancements, and political systems, continuously contribute to the utter destruction of the environment, causing a significant imbalance to the ecosystem. For example, deforestation causes soil erosion which results in soil thinning and drought. Intense drought may lead to hunger and starvation, forest fires and death. The hydrological cycle is also affected, leading to water shortages and marine life imbalance. The depletion of remarkable glaciers of large mountains like the Himalayas may indicate that the water levels in the seas and oceans may soon drop significantly. Out of 10 major rivers in the world, one does not flow into the sea every year. This is shockingly alarming!
A report by the World Meteorological Organization (2021) confirms that since 2015 the state of global climate has been increasingly warmer, with the year 2020 producing the warmest temperatures. The past decade, 2011-2020, has been the warmest in the record. What is there to expect in the future? According to the report, greenhouse gas emissions, hot land and ocean temperatures, extreme weather, melting ice, glacier retreat, socioeconomic developments, food security, migration and displacement, land and marine ecosystem are the most significant contributors.
The initial parts of the movie don’t have solid scientific facts, especially on the earth’s formation. For instance, how did the earth condense on its own away from the sun? How did animals come into existence? How did trees form from microorganisms? The author concludes that life is a miracle and a mystery. Every creature has its purpose; none is harmful or futile; they all balance out. However, the information presented on the gradual activities of the human species is very relatable and real, from hunting to fishing, agriculture, civilization and modernization. Fossil oil has changed the world. Infrastructure, technology, transportation, and manufacturing depend on oil to create magnificent resources which have made life more comfortable and worthwhile; however, the damage is in equal measure more drastic. The story of the Rapa Nui island, better known as the Easter Island, is a perfect example of what human depletion of natural resources can do. After its inhabitants exploited all their resources, nothing was left to sustain them, not even fishing. Can human life cease to exist as a result of overdependency on natural resources? Will nature ever give up? The movie assures us that such a possibility is real! This movie is an eye-opener; human beings should revert their actions to protect and balance what nature created.
Amazingly, our species can still harness natural resources to continue sustaining human needs despite our intense exploitation. As much as human-environment interaction dynamics are pretty complex, the resulting repercussions often impact humans. The response is that man finds a way of shifting their activities in a manner meant to protect and restore the environment. Nations are trying to restore their natural resources by conservation of trees and forests, promoting tourism, releasing gases like carbon into the soil instead of the atmosphere, and providing an alternative energy source instead of coal and fossil fuel, i.e., solar and wind energy. Using these renewable resources is safe for the environment, saves more on costs, and creates more viable employment. It is paramount to note that the earth took a toll to make itself a better place for every creature. It is worthwhile to maintain goodwill by being vigilant and considerate when using and creating resources.
Reference
World Meteorological Organization (WMO). (2021). State of the Global Climate 2020. World meteorological organization, 1264.