Be part of the change you want to see
By: Noraly Paul
The Film
I watched Facing the Future: South Florida vs. Climate Change which was a one hour film created here in South Florida in order to bring awareness to the catastrophic events and lived realities of residents here because of climate change. There is no denying that South Florida has had plenty of consequences of climate change such as: flooding, extreme heat, rising cost, and sea level rise. Which is sadly proven to only get worse as the years go on. I really enjoyed this documentary because they used real life examples to show us viewers instead of speaking about it. They went to local meetings and community efforts to gauge what is going with actual residents. This allows for the creators of this film and us viewers to hear straight from the source. This is powerful because it allows for the documentary to not speak for the communities who are being affected, but to amplify their voices to the masses.
The Impact
This film was taken during the hurricane season in 2024, so there was real life footage of the damages, costs, and effects on residents. Not only effects on their homes but the emotional toll these disasters leave people with. Seeing a married couple have to walk 20+ minutes in flooded water after a doctor’s appointment, a long time resident whose daughter’s bedroom was flooded for the umpteenth time, and even a resident who decided to create his own system to drain the flood water surrounding his home. It’s truly a magnifying glass on climate change here in South Florida because it’s so easy to just hear about it on the news or articles on your phone while scrolling. But, actually getting to see and hear those that are affected is a dark realization. This film shows that families and communities facing these high sea level rises don’t get to turn off the news about it. They’re living everyday with it because most people cannot afford to pack and leave their home. So, the next step is to figure out what can be done now. Through encouraging climate resilience, education for citizens, and gathering together to fight for change.
Attending the Adopt-a-Tree event at FIU Biscayne Campus
to receive two free trees to promote community, importance of trees,
and environmental education of residents for a greener Miami-Dade County.
As a Global Scholar
From my perspective as a global scholar, this documentary was great to watch. The founder and team of the local non-profit organization I’ve been volunteering with this summer was part of this documentary. It shows how active those in this organization care about communities all throughout South Florida. I felt even more inspired when the young members of the non-profit expressed how they are involved in advocacy, climate efforts, and overall being an active citizen to make change. This is due to me still being new to being a civically engaged resident, phone banking for the election season, and just going out to community events and meeting like-minded young people who want to fight climate change for a better future for everyone. It shows me I’m not alone and I have to keep trying and being present.
What this film got right would be how the residents are coming to their elected officials and stating their grievances. Those young and old are out doing the work to bring climate education to all because it will affect us all. Especially because South Florida has a catastrophe each year which brings up climate change every time. It shows residents putting in the work, creating art for climate change awareness, attending town halls, and creating hundreds of organizations to actually do something. What I think was mischaracterized by the piece of media would be who are the contributors to the overdevelopment, control of land, and policies being passed by local officials that are furthering these disasters. In my opinion, they should’ve included the names of bills passed by the governor that are dismantling protection of the Everglades, citizen education, and prioritizing the wealthy. Rather than putting this on climate change, which it is, the certain laws and bills being passed are further contributing to it and risking the safety of marginalized communities.
I’ve had the privilege to interview two staff members of the local non -profit I’m volunteering with. Their knowledge and information I was able to take in shows that there are various ways residents are impacted. Especially those in marginalized communities that are not properly funded, being gentrified, and overall overlooked are the most vulnerable to these dangerous environmental stressors. Learning about the lack of tree canopy in certain areas is related to racism in history such as redlining. What we see happening in certain communities is due to historical laws and policies that prioritize wealth over the health of local residents. What we see happening today can be connected to the wealth of that area, demographic, and what’s being done by local politicians that determine what will happen. I’ve learned to help others when I can. Learning about my community and state so when it’s time to speak up and fight for change, I am right behind.
HSF House Blogs 