Nevertheless, movies often feature altered or hyperbolic presentations of what science might substantiate; many ideas and concepts that might have originated in science get altered or stretched in the fictional movie worlds.

Prompt:
This week in lecture and readings we address the carbon cycle, and how it is central to our hypothesized cause of human-induced climate change: altering the greenhouse effect by our carbon intensive society (i.e. burning fossil fuels). But for discussion this week, we want you to engage critically with how climate change gets portrayed in our media culture, specifically the movies. The notion that we have altered nature and could face consequences is rife with drama, and thus inherently of interest to screenwriters. Hollywood loves drama!
For example, the theme of abrupt climate change was touched upon in a 2004 movie entitled, “The Day After Tomorrow.” It can be put into a category of movies that feature future apocalyptic changes, and it turns out that many students have seen other such movies. Nevertheless, movies often feature altered or hyperbolic presentations of what science might substantiate; many ideas and concepts that might have originated in science get altered or stretched in the fictional movie worlds. So, do depicting such fictional futures that are outside the realm of scientific “credibility” help raise public awareness of climate change, or do damage to public trust in science?
For the Discussion, students should get acquainted with the “Day After Tomorrow” by at least viewing a trailer. Find your own on the internet. Next, view the ABC News clip from 2004 (link: https://iad.cdn.nv.instructuremedia.com/originals/o-48o9oDCkTBywie9FHUR7mWmvsyBECNtW/transcodings/t-48D3sNHeJiNVc8rw3S6nN3kQaGiJCxFC.mp4?&Expires=1664584606&Signature=qSbqZavo1MDegOFHBMPq~0-1NU8rK~s~ldwGEXId1tunwrIWiVq8QHEGW9anGae2s9Xt6r7lfM9BZ3i4A43huJrEPBrQlpxWC9sx7PvQqpOmz3JzvzLhDRjuiMTfQcVgOE5790bbZz1lTZZfxjPYM4Zn~flmrHE8hYyWbEWjN4iVOBTvYRGAcgQ2WJZGkNSg75Ky6leF0jmxW-RLie5owsKx–LOr2L8sc0b7YfqHY1~hGM7SLL5nBIwEzeDWoWZW6lAVJnYHLbVFVPy3E7Cd54QqYXrePK6Gx1R~efOlOI-uhpDRbBw7WnzX2h9laiCNkAvCW4RS8mn2HPmnZxjIA__&Key-Pair-Id=APKAJLP4NHW7VFATZNDQ) that highlights interviews of climate scientists about the movie and its impact on the public. Then compose compose a response to the following prompt: What do you think about movies that include some version of apocalyptic climate change, even if not realistic based on scientific understanding of what the Earth has experienced? Are these good for raising awareness, or problematic for causing confusion about scientific understanding?
Compose a personal response to the prompt with a MAXIMUM of 300 words.
Draw upon your own perspective, and provide examples from the movie, or from any similar movie from this genre that you have seen.