A Burning Question

Synopsis

This fascinating and clarifying look at the debate surrounding global warming explores the striking disconnect between the relatively clear-cut concerns of the world's most prominent scientists and the maze of speculation, rhetorical posturing, and outright misinformation that attaches to this issue whenever it's taken up by politicians, PR specialists, and political pundits. Mixing a localized focus on Ireland with insights from scientists and leaders from around the world, the film serves as both a primer on climate science and a penetrating analysis of media framing and the science of perception management. An excellent resource for courses in science, environmental studies, global politics, and media.

Features commentary from former Irish president Mary Robinson, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, paleoclimatologist Jennifer McElwain, and a host of other prominent scientists and commentators.

Release Date:2012

Duration:53 min

ISBN:1-932869-64-6

Subtitles:English

Trailers

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Filmmaker Credits

An Earth Horizons Production

Written and Directed by

Paula Kehoe

Executive Producer:

Duncan Stewart

Producer:

Marcus Stewart

Editor & Sound Design:

Donal O'Ceilleachair

Camera:

Piaras Mac Cionnaith, Karl Dillon, Colin Morrison & Colm Hogan

Sound:

Conor Flanagan & Francois Gray

Assistant Editor:

Peter Kilkenny

Graphics:

Ross McDermott

Colorist:

Marc O'Gleasain

Production Manager:

Yvonne Moore

Production Assistant/Research:

Emilee Jennings

Additional Researcher:

Marco Chiappi

Sound Mix:

Killian Fitzgerald, Avatar

Resources: Downloads and Related Links

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Transcript

Praise

"If you are skeptical about human-caused climate change, watch this movie. It provides a clear and compelling case for the reality of the problem and the threat to our future that it poses."

- Michael E. Mann
Author of The Hockey Stick and the Climate Wars

"A Burning Question picks up where An Inconvenient Truth left off, not just updating the data of climate change, but probing the disinformation and media confusion that obstruct action on civilization's greatest challenge. The setting is Ireland, but the story is the world's. See it!"

- William deBuys
Author of A Great Aridness: Climate Change and the Future of the American Southwest

"Engaging and informative. Gets to the heart of the politics of climate change, examining the relationship between the science, the vested interests, the media, and the public. Essential viewing."

- Justin Lewis
Head of School, Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies, Cardiff University

"Powerful and revealing. It should be seen by everyone, not just those who are already convinced about the realities and dangers of climate change."

- Dr. David Goodstein, Ph.D.
Professor of Physics and Applied Physics at California Institute of Technology
Author of Climate Change and the Energy Problem: Physical Science and Economics Perspective

"A sober, clear, and convincing account of the science of global warming and the challenges we face in responding."

- Dale Jamieson, Ph.D.
Professor & Director of Environmental Studies at New York University
Co-editor of Climate Ethics: Essential Readings

"Everyone concerned about their children's and grandchildren's future should see this outstanding film. A Burning Question is balanced, scientifically accurate, and pulls no punches. Don't miss it."

- James Lawrence Powell, Ph.D.
Executive Director of the National Physical Science Consortium
Author of Rough Winds: Extreme Weather and Climate Change

"Based in Ireland, this film follows an imaginary citizen who wants to unravel the conflicting views he hears about climate change in the media. With the help of some excellent authorities such as Mary Robinson and Peter Lynch at University College Dublin, he realizes that the scientific consensus around climate change is quite strong, measured, and without corruption."

- Jeremy Bendik-Keymer
Beamer-Schneider Professor in Ethics at Case Western Reserve University
Co-editor of Ethical Adaption to Climate Change: Human Virtues of the Future

"This film is a really important dissection of the shifting contours of changing climates and competing media and scientific discourses. A Burning Question brings out the exceptional urgency of reversing those interlocking processes that are already transforming lives and environments across the globe."

- John Urry
Distinguished Professor of Sociology at Lancaster University
Author of Climate Change and Society and Societies Beyond Oil

"Clearly articulates the gap between the science of climate change and public perception of that science. Watch it with a friend."

- Stephen M. Gardiner
Professor of Philosophy at the University of Washington

"This film should be seen by everyone. It starts with the doubts and confusions of so many popular beliefs about climate change. Then, step by step, it explains clearly why more than 99% of climate scientists believe it to be real, to be mainly caused by human burning of fossil fuels, and to pose huge dangers to our children and grandchildren, unless we take action to change our ways now."

- Constance Lever-Tracy, Ph.D.
Adjunct Senior Lecturer at Flinders University
Author of Confronting Climate Change

"A fascinating, very clear and non-technical message, exploring both sides of the issue, leading to a strong endorsement of global climate change."

- Orrin H. Pilkey, Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus of Geology at Duke University
Co-Author of Global Climate Change: A Primer

"A compelling analysis both of the threat posed by climate change and of the difficulties of generating public support for measures needed to combat it."

- Dr. Anthony Giddens
Professor of Sociology of London School of Economics
Author of The Politics of Climate Change

"Peels back the blanket of public confusion concerning global warming while providing a clear and compelling exposition of the basic science of climate change."

- Lee Kump
Head, Dept. of Geosciences, Penn State
Lead author of The Earth System and co-author of Dire Predictions: Understanding Global Warming

A Burning Question is a short, accessible account of why and how climate change denial functions. It intersperses interviews with 'people on the street' who believe that cold winters mean climate change is not real, media accounts sowing doubt about the science of climate change, and academic experts in climate science, media, and human rights."

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