UMW Ecology Club Hosts Film Series

The UMW Ecology Club and the Rappahannock Group of the Sierra Club will be co-sponsoring a screening of “The 11th Hour” this Thursday, Oct. 29 in Dodd Auditorium.  The screening is the first in an ongoing series of environmentally themed films for the club’s “Green on the Screen: An Environmental Film Series.”
Produced and narrated by Leonardo DiCaprio, “The 11th Hour” is a collection of interviews with experts on the subject of global warming. The movie not only presents evidence of the problems that exist, but also explains what has been done so far to prevent further decay of our environment as well as what could be done to slow the effects of environmental damage in the future.
“Green on the Screen: An Environmental Film Series” is designed to promote environmental consciousness for students on campus. The Ecology Club promotes environmental awareness by educating students about the benefits of energy conservation.
Co-coordinator of the series and Ecology Club Mentor Senior Laura Pilati emphasized the films focus on pragmatism.
“Today, all we tend to hear about is the ‘Gloom and Doom’ aspect of what is happening to our environment. We’re hoping to show films that discuss not only the problems, but solutions as well,” Pilati said.  Pilati also said that President Hample will be attending Thurday’s screening.
With the screening of several documentary-style films, students will be given an opportunity to learn about the ecological problems facing our generation and what steps are being taken to improve these conditions.

The series will also include a screening of “King Corn” on Nov. 10 in Lee Hall.
In “King Corn”, a comic twist is given to the American phenomenon of corn being used in a vast amount of food and other products produced across the country. Two friends attempt to gain a foothold in the corn industry and are surprised by what they find their new crop goes into producing.
Both films will be shown open to all students and free of charge. Doors for “The 11th Hour” open at 6:30 p.m. and the movie starts at 7. Visit the Ecology Club website www.ecoclub.umwblogs.org/ for more details.