Film quiz on a Life on Our Planet and Before the Flood

1.What were the Canadians in the small raft telling the Russians not to do?
The Canadians in the small raft told the Russians not to kill the whales. They said, "We are men
and women, and we speak for children. Please, stop killing the whales." As time went on, people
started to see that hunting whales wasn't just a way to get food but a terrible crime against nature.
It made everyone more aware of the natural world and the importance of taking care of it.
2. What happened in Borneo? What is a monoculture and why is it bad?
In Borneo, vast areas of diverse rainforests have been cleared to make way for monoculture palm
oil plantations. This deforestation and replacement of diverse ecosystems with single-crop
plantations is a classic example of monoculture. Monoculture agriculture refers to the practice of
growing a single crop species over extensive area.
Why monoculture is considered bad:
Loss of Biodiversity: Monoculture agriculture leads to the loss of biodiversity as it eliminates
diverse plant and animal species that depend on a variety of ecosystems.
Habitat Destruction: Clearing diverse rainforests for monoculture plantations contributes to
habitat destruction and the displacement of native species.
Soil Degradation: Intensive monoculture farming can deplete the soil of nutrients, leading to
decreased fertility and increased erosion.
Pest Vulnerability: Monoculture fields are more vulnerable to pests and diseases, often requiring
more chemical treatments.
Contributions to Climate Change: While not explicitly mentioned in the documentary,
monoculture agriculture can contribute to climate change through deforestation, soil degradation,
and the release of greenhouse gases.
3. According to David Attenborough, what masked the effects of climate change until the 1990s?
According to David Attenborough, the Earth's natural systems, particularly its forests and
oceans, masked the effects of climate change until the 1990s. He explains that these natural
systems acted as "carbon sinks," absorbing carbon dioxide and helping to regulate the planet's
climate. This natural buffering capacity allowed the Earth to absorb a significant portion of the
excess carbon emissions produced by human activities like burning fossil fuels, by the 1990s, the
scale of human impact on the planet had become so significant that these natural systems could
no longer effectively absorb and mitigate the rising levels of carbon dioxide and other
greenhouse gases. This marked a turning point when the effects of climate change began to
become more pronounced and evident.
4. Why do you think the film starts and finishes with Chernobyl? (When a film or book starts and
ends with the same image, this is called a "framing device," and it is often used to show the
evolution of a character, idea, or of a situation during the time of the film). How does that work
here?
The film "David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet" starts and finishes with the Chernobyl
nuclear disaster as a framing device. Chernobyl represents a catastrophic event caused by human
actions that had devastating consequences on both the environment and human health. By using
Chernobyl as a framing device, the film illustrates the evolution of human impact on the
environment over time.
Beginning with Chernobyl: Starting with the Chernobyl disaster underscores the destructive
potential of human actions when we disregard the environment. It sets the stage for the film's
central message about the negative consequences of unsustainable practices.
Ending with Chernobyl: Ending the film with the recovery of wildlife in the Chernobyl
Exclusion Zone shows that positive change is possible when humans take action to protect the
environment. It represents a potential path to recovery and restoration, highlighting the
importance of learning from past mistakes and making positive changes for the future.

5. What does Elon Musk tell Leonardo DiCaprio in Before the Flood?
In "Before the Flood," during an interview, Elon Musk tells Leonardo DiCaprio that the problem
with transitioning to sustainable energy sources is the "inertia" of the existing fossil fuel
infrastructure. Musk explains that there is a significant challenge in disrupting established
industries like fossil fuels, which have deep-rooted interests and investments. He also
emphasizes the difficulty of changing consumer behavior and the importance of making clean
energy options more accessible and attractive to the general population. Musk's message
underscores the need for systemic change and innovation to accelerate the transition to
renewable energy and combat climate change.
6. Give specific examples from either of the films of the five kinds of evidence:
1. Data and Statistics:
In "A Life on Our Planet," David Attenborough presents data and statistics related to the decline
in biodiversity over the years. He shows graphs and charts depicting the rapid loss of species and
habitats. For example, he mentions that the global population of freshwater vertebrates has
declined by 84% between 1970 and 2014.
In "Before the Flood," actor and environmental activist Leonardo DiCaprio meets with scientists
and experts who provide data and statistics on climate change. One example is when he visits Dr.
Piers Sellers at NASA, who discusses the increase in global temperatures and the melting of
polar ice caps, citing specific temperature rise figures and satellite imagery.
2. Authority/Expert Opinion:
In both films, respected experts and authorities in the fields of environmental science and
conservation are interviewed. For instance, in "A Life on Our Planet," Sir David Attenborough
himself is an authority in the natural world, and his narration is taken as an expert opinion on the
state of the planet.
In "Before the Flood," experts like Dr. Katharine Hayhoe, Dr. Michael E. Mann, and Dr. James
E. Hansen provide their authoritative opinions on climate change and its impacts. They discuss
the consensus within the scientific community regarding human-caused global warming.
3. Personal Experience/Anecdote:
In "A Life on Our Planet," Sir David Attenborough shares personal anecdotes from his decades
of experience as a naturalist and broadcaster. He reflects on his encounters with wildlife and how
he has witnessed the decline of biodiversity firsthand, drawing from his personal experiences to
make a powerful case for conservation.
In "Before the Flood," Leonardo DiCaprio narrates his personal journey of exploration and
activism. He shares his experiences visiting regions affected by climate change, such as the
melting glaciers in Greenland and the deforestation in Indonesia, providing a personal
perspective on the issues at hand.
4. Values:
Both films emphasize the value of preserving the natural world for future generations. They
highlight the intrinsic value of biodiversity and the moral imperative to protect the environment.
Sir David Attenborough, in "A Life on Our Planet," speaks to the value of Earth's ecosystems and
their role in sustaining life on the planet.
"Before the Flood" explores the values of social and environmental justice, emphasizing the need
to address climate change to protect vulnerable communities and ensure a just and sustainable
future for all.
5. Visuals:
Both films use striking visuals to convey their messages. "A Life on Our Planet" includes
breathtaking footage of natural landscapes, wildlife, and ecosystems, as well as contrasting
images of environmental degradation, such as deforestation and pollution.
"Before the Flood" features visuals of climate-related events, such as hurricanes and flooding, as
well as scenes of renewable energy solutions, solar panels, and wind turbines, to illustrate both
the consequences of inaction and the potential for sustainable alternatives.