The Paris Agreement, adopted on December 12, 2015, was a historic moment in the fight against climate change. The agreement was the culmination of years of international negotiations and aimed to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
However, one aspect that often goes overlooked is the role that the documentary film “Before the Flood” played in the lead up to the Paris Agreement. The film, produced by Martin Scorsese and starring Leonardo DiCaprio, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2016, just a few months before the Paris Agreement was finalized.
“Before the Flood” is a powerful call to action on climate change, featuring interviews with climate scientists, activists, and political leaders. The film takes viewers on a tour of the devastating impacts of climate change around the world, from melting glaciers in Greenland to devastating floods in India.
Perhaps most importantly, “Before the Flood” placed a spotlight on the urgency of addressing climate change, and helped to build momentum for the Paris Agreement. The film premiered just as the world was gearing up for the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Marrakech, Morocco, where countries were working to finalize the details of the Paris Agreement.
In the months leading up to the conference, “Before the Flood” was screened at special events around the world, helping to raise awareness about the need for action on climate change. The film reached millions of viewers worldwide, including many people who may not have been aware of the gravity of the climate crisis.
Ultimately, the Paris Agreement was a historic achievement for the world community, and “Before the Flood” played an important role in building support for this landmark agreement. As we continue to confront the challenges of climate change, we can look back at this critical moment and recognize the role that film can play in inspiring action and driving change.