I saw your film on the Sundance channel today and found it to be one of the most important films about our environment since I saw “an Inconvenient Truth” by Al Gore.

I am an environmental activist. Films like “Crude Impact” will teach people that as one we must relate to a better world by starting to look around us and seeing what we can do for our planet, not what we can do with our planet.

It is time for us to take a look at our actions on this planet and seriously consider looking at pro-creation in a different way. I am a woman and from a very young age, I decided to think about all the reasons as to why it would be better for me not to have children. Many years later I found that the answer is that I don’t need to place an other child into a world of chaos, trash and pollution, adding to the ever growing problems of our environment.

The children that we do have, must be taught to look at the world as a place we need to take care of, not further destroy.

I believe that people have children so they have a sense of belonging in the world through those children whom are given a sense of belonging. If human beings keep evolving at the population rate we are now faced with, there will be no planet left for us to belong to.

It starts with us women. The power very much is ours. We have a chance to have an impact. We as people also need to educate others about trash, and how to relate to it as a re-usable utility.

We must teach people to relate to the trash-man as they do to the post-man. To trash and waste like their dry-cleaning. We must educate and fight companies that are irresponsible.

Congratulations to a great film. It will make us aware and help us in making the changes to save our wonderful planet and all its living creatures.

Alex, Marina del Rey, FL

Tag You’re It – the perfect ending to a very informative program. I will be taking this program into my classroom. I agree with the previous blogger, that this information should be viewed by all. Perhaps there is a donor that could purchase one DVD for each high school in America- yes, each high school!

Kim, Lake Jackson, TX

I saw Crude Impact about a month ago on Sundance and was so impressed with it I have since purchased several copies to share with my family and friends.

The film opened my eyes to so many things I had not thought about before. It is by far the best film I have ever seen on the subject and should be required viewing by every American before they vote in November.

I now see much more clearly what is happening in our politics, newscasts, and the advertisements by oil companies who say they are helping the native peoples in the countries they are actually exploiting.

Most people don’t understand the fact that we are running out of oil and no matter how much they are willing to pay for a gallon of gas, at some point it will not available at any price.

Somehow we must get the truth out. I am starting by asking everyone I know to see this film. If I could afford it I would pass the movie out on the street corner.

Perhaps we should also try to enlighten our senators, congressmen, and president on exactly what the energy crisis is all about by requiring them all to view this film. Most of them certainly haven’t got a clue at this point or just don’t care.

Rae, San Antonio, TX

I just watched Crude Impact. It was a remarkably well done piece of work. My only question is how do we take the corruption out of power and how do we make absolute power absolutely uncorrectable? Until human beings cannot be bought, the powers that be will never stop and the change you propose will be in vain. The time it will take to dismantle the global-political powers that be in order to fix the problems that exist now will take far too long to save us all. I say this because oil keeps these powers IN power. With that paradigm in place is there any hope or are we all just wishing on a star for the change we need?

William, San Diego, CA

Brilliant film! I felt shocked, then educated. Your effort was well placed, so I do not want critique to come as anything but curiosity. That said, my only question is:
As one relatively ignorant of fossil fuel alternatives, I came from the film’s wake wondering why no possible alternatives were discussed–even briefly. Are there any alternatives that do not require fossil fuels as an ingredient or a part of the process? In particular, I’m curious about the drawbacks of industrial hemp.

Cory

RESPONSE FROM THE DIRECTOR

Dear Cory,

Thank you for your kind words about the film.

It was simply a matter of time. To do it justice, it would have required another sixty minutes or more. There are entire films on alternative fuels.

Having said all that, I believe the message you heard from several of the speakers – that the need is to reduce energy use, not replace our current use – is the right message. Dr. Bill Rees said in the movie that all of the alternative fuels in the aggregate can’t possibly replace fossil fuels. This is a controversial statement, but I think the possibility that this is true should drive us toward reduction. I think reduction of energy will also help the wealth imbalance, create greater peace and justice in the world and much more. Sounds like a big statement, but I believe it to be true.

Lastly, the special edition of the DVD has additional footage which contains discussions on nuclear power, wind and solar and other energy sources.

I just saw this documentary, and wanted to say how much I enjoyed it. I was especially happy to see that Ken Saro Wiwa was mentioned, he is a particular hero of mine, and as far as I am concerned, not enough people know of his existence and what he did. I actually never get gas from a Shell station because of him, and I tell all my friends to do the same.

I am a Brit living in Los Angeles at the moment, and I have recently started to not really use my car, it’s not as bad as I thought, and I am always telling people to try and do the same, but my suggestion tends to fall on deaf ears! Anyway, good luck with future projects, and I am glad I got to see this film, I am sending a link to everyone I know, asking them to see it too. I really think that each of us can make a difference.

Deb, Los Angeles, CA

I never realized how fossil fuel was used other than pumping it into my gas tank. This movie has opened my eyes to how I think about my world today. I hope that through word of mouth that I can get more people to watch this movie.

I work at a school and I am going to encourage the school librarian to purchase the movie. My conversation to others will be do you really know the impact that crude oil has on your life?

For most Americans we don’t have a clue.

Thank you for saving my life I will not take things for granted any longer. I will appreciate the things I have and count myself blessed, but my job now is to clean up my act. I want to shout it out to all my friends, and neighbors this movie has had in just one day of my life. Keep making these kind of films for the uninformed as I am one of them. Help us to help others through your earth shaking documentaries.

Margie, Orland, CA

Thank you for this film…It was pointed out quite clearly that we can do something…like quit being such good little consumers (more does not make you happier!). I will not let my children (or my grandchildren) be the frogs in the boiling pot.

I agree there are some corporations that will in the end deserve to be called American Heroes. They have thwarted the Neocon agenda, and I hope saved many lives.

Erica, Spanaway, WA

Thank you for developing such a film that has tremendously impacted my life. I think it should be mandatory for everyone to see this film including the kids in school – this is not only our future but theirs. Thank you again!!!

Donna, Pittsburg, PA

I recently watched Crude Impact. I enjoyed your perspectives on our world’s consumption of oil and gas and the companies associated therewith.

In as much as very valid points are made, there are equally as many if not more embellished and grossly biased projections made about the oil and gas markets and those who participate in it. I truly believe the characterization of “corporations” is ridiculous. While it is true that some are very bad players and need to be dealt with, very many more are very good citizens of society. There is a reason the Texacos of the world no longer exist. These sort of companies need to be excluded from the industry and dealt with on a case by case basis.

Energy is a very important, if not the most important issue. We need all types of energy. Pointing fingers is not the answer, working together is. Pollution happens, high prices happen, footprints happen; but if we work together towards compromise these negative yet necessary aspects of economic and social advancement can be minimized and we can all end up better off. Pointing the finger and failing to acknowledge necessities accomplishes nothing; only makes things worse.

John, Oklahoma City, OK