netflixed "everything's cool" and "planet in peril". "everything's cool" was showing at a film festival in los feliz (or thereabouts) and i wanted to see it along with some other films but i didn't go to see any of them. finally this one became available on netflix so i rented it straightaway. after seeing several films on environmental issues, i found this one to be the least interesting. the difference with this one is that it focuses on the side of the scientists who have been studying global warming issues but are frustrated that the public in general aren't convinced yet for various reasons. the main thing i took away from it, and i'm reading into it more than paraphrasing, was from the woman who reports on tv explaining how as a scientist you focus on the unknowns and realizes perhaps that that's not the best way to talk to the general public because the opposition will grab hold of your doubt and use it against you.

"planet in peril" was a two part special on cnn that i watched a bit from my hotel room while i was on vacation. there are several segments in various countries focusing on different issues but mainly on depletion--of species and resources. the segments i watched were intriguing enough that i wanted to see the rest of the segments. watching the whole series now, i realize i had already seen the best segments. mainly i think this special helps to put the issues in the living rooms of people who are wasteful. let's face it, if you have the ability to watch that special, you are part of the problem but can be part of the solution. i make such conclusions because if you have access to clean water, electricity, television, internet, etc. then there are many little things you can do to reduce your consumption or help curb down the devastation of globalization.

no place on this earth is a paradise that fully meets the needs of everyone in modern life. if such a place exists, it is very rare indeed. to meet the needs of everyone in terms of being able to grow the food, to provide shelter, employment opportunities, access to healthcare, and just having a high standard of living overall. there must be some things that are lacking and you could trade with neighbors who have excess or you could steal it away. that to me is the underlying issue when it comes to lack of resources. such as how the water i use in southern california is stolen from other communities. the tricky part is how to implement corrective measures, how to trade and balance everything, and just do what's right in general because few can come to agreements on what is the right thing to do and carry through. anyone can sound off on what the problems are but few provide sound solutions and fewer practice them. i don't think the governments will change and make the world a better place. i think the people have power to change. that is why despite the cynicism and hypocrisy, it is beneficial to have programs like "planet in peril" delivered to your living room because it informs/reminds us what is going on locally and globally and that can spark action.