Perhaps one of the most overlooked perspectives is the first-hand experience of individuals directly affected by the oil industry, particularly individuals in countries like Pakistan — just last year, in 2022 — who experienced six months of unprecedented flooding, Nearly 21 million people need urgent humanitarian care, according to UNICEF.
Tessa Khan, an environmental lawyer based in the UK, touches briefly on Pakistan and the need for a climate fix – but I’d like to see people explore this more deeply.
The documentary mainly shows the views of scholars, famous economists and experts in their respective fields, and conducts a rational analysis of the issues. While their insights are valuable, I can’t help feeling that the film somehow lacks humanity and emotional connection.
people oriented
It would be even richer if it included the first-hand experiences of individuals directly affected by the oil industry, such as those who have struggled to heat their homes this winter or afford meals.
The lack of a personal narrative strikes me as something missing, something that would allow viewers to relate to the real-life consequences of our dependence on oil – something that would complement the more logical analysis presented by the experts.
Another neglected aspect is the ecological impact. Our view of the industry tends to be largely people-centric, focusing on its role in global warming and the potential threat it poses to our own existence.
The North Sea is home to a wide variety of marine life. We miss the true extent of the damage done by the oil industry if we don’t consider the far-reaching impact that drilling and potential oil spills have on their fragile ecosystems.
sacrifice
That doesn’t make the oil machine any less effective. In fact, I think it did serve as a wake-up call.
Ann Pettifor, who will be at small is the future On June 17, the need for urgent action was accurately described: “If we are about to be hit by a meteorite, the government will do everything possible to prevent this from happening.
“It doesn’t say, let’s wait for the private sector to come up with a plan and make a managed transition at the moment of impact. We can’t rely on self-interest, capital gains to get shareholders and oil companies to make this transition.”
The documentary as a whole is an illuminating exploration of the underlying complexities holding back our transition to renewable energy.
This is a pessimistic portrait of our current political, economic and social dependence on oil. It really got me thinking about the true extent of the changes and sacrifices humans have to make to break free from the clutches of this destructive cycle.
the author
Yasmin Dahnonun is ecologist. Oil Machine will be screened at Paintworks and Offshore in Bristol on Saturday 17 June 2023.Get Cinema Climatic Tickets Now.
