Film Series might raise Natural Environmental Awareness

This just in from the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences:

The Earth and Mineral Sciences Library Spring 2010 Film Series kicks off on Jan. 20, with a documentary on geologic changes in the Great Lakes. All films are screened at 12:15 p.m. on Wednesdays in room 105 of the Deike Building on Penn State's University Park campus. The films feature a diverse mix of topics related to Earth and the environment.

The schedule is as follows with descriptions of those films that seem most pertinent to our emphasis on social and natural environmental sustainability:

Jan. 20: "Geologic Journey -- Part 1: The Great Lakes" (45 min.)

Jan. 27: "The Hurricane of ’38" (53 min.)
In September 1938, the National Weather Bureau predicted this storm would blow itself out. Instead it began an unexpected sprint north along the coast. Over 600 people were killed. Another 100 were never found.

Feb. 3: "Petroapocalypse Now?" (48 min.)
This documentary asks whether Earth's oil resources are beginning to run out, discusses the accuracy of petroleum reserves estimates and the potentially disastrous effects if oil production falls, and asks what steps we can take to prevent this.

Feb. 10: "Geologic Journey – Part 2: The Rockies" (45 min.)

Feb. 17: "Tornado Glory: Experience the Real Chase" (56 min.)

Feb. 24: "Power Paths" (56 min.)
This documentary follows the Navajo, Hopi and Lakota Sioux tribes, as they find ways to introduce renewable energy projects into their communities through a grassroots movement.

March 3: "Geologic Journey – Part 3: The Canadian Shield" (45 min.)

March 17: "Hurricane Katrina: The Storm that Drowned a City" (56 min.)
Nova takes an in-depth look at what made Hurricane Katrina so deadly and analyzes how this event has resulted in unprecedented destruction for the Gulf Coast.

March 24: "Earth Energy" (46 min.)
Sculptor, aviator, inventor, and filmmaker Bill Lishman is concerned by our dependence on central energy sources and fossil fuels so he takes a journey in search of Earth's renewable energy.

March 31: "Geologic Journey – Part 4: The Appalachians" (45 min.)

April 7: "The Big Chill: A Looming Ice Age?" (50 min.)
This program investigates the likelihood of the biggest climate change in more than 10,000 years.

April 14: "Gold Futures: Open-Pit Mining in Romania" (57 min.)

April 21: "Geologic Journey – Part 5: The Atlantic Coast" (45 min.)

April 28: "Is there Life on Mars?" (56 min.)