Documentário da semana: The Cross of the Moment

The Cross of the Moment investigates the environmental crisis in a wholly original and stimulating fashion. This feature-length documentary expresses an urgent need to correct the ill effects of climate change and environmental degradation, and explores the major stumbling blocks which have kept governments and the masses from becoming more active in finding solutions.

It all begins with the Fermi paradox. Surrounded by a universe many billions of years older than our own planet, isn't it reasonable to assume that extra-terrestrial life must exist? If so, why haven't we seen evidence of it? A panel of experts, including figures from the fields of academics and science, begin their journey of exploration by mulling over this contradiction. One possible explanation may lie in the miraculously complex series of factors which make our planet uniquely positioned to sustain life.

This serves as a prelude to the main thesis of the film. Recognizing that we are blessed by such a seemingly random and rare set of planetary circumstances that make life possible for all of us, shouldn't we do everything in our power to protect it?

As argued in the film, we see evidence of climate change all around us in the form of perilous drought, severe storms and rising temperatures. Yet many remain obstinate in the face of these mounting catastrophes. There are many possible societal and economic reasons for this. For example, our industries have become entirely dependent upon the use of fossil fuels - it has become an essential strand of DNA that runs through our everyday lives - and a change from this accepted custom does not occur without tremendous resistance.

The Cross of the Moment lays out the personal behaviors and capitalistic considerations that continue to drive the ongoing disintegration of our planet's precious resources. The film points out that our attempts at increasing efficiency in areas like automotive manufacturing are a step in the right direction, but short-sighted in their sustainability and long-term impact. The interview subjects articulate the consequences of our continued inaction, but they manage to soften the typically apocalyptic tone of climate change with a welcome call for humanism.