Review of The 11th Hour (2007) by Geneviève C — 03 May 2008

This film is quite different from An Inconvenient Truth, in that it doesn't simply make the case for climate change, but it also presents some expert opinions about the root causes of the problem, and it discusses potential solutions and steps forward. However, it lacks the simplicity and charisma of Al Gore's presentation.

There were a few segments that I particularly enjoyed. One such segment discussed how the current manufacturing industry is really an industry for manufacturing waste, with the example that for every truck load of consumer goods manufactured, 32 truck loads of waste were generated. Another compelling segment was on frugality (wise consumption) and how we should think of consumer goods as time thieves: purchasing consumer goods requires us to spend more time at work (and less time in other activities), to the point where consumer goods meant to improve quality of life can in fact have a paradoxical effect on quality of life.