On April 20th IFAD’s
Environment and Climate Division (ECD) hosted its third Climate Cinema.
Speaking about the films on show was Fabio Eboli, from
the Euro Mediterranean Center on Climate Change and Fondazione Eni Enrico
Mattei (FEEM). And from IFAD's ECD division there was Stephen Twomlow, Regional
Climate and Environment Specialist for East and Southern Africa
The first film shown was ''Well Beyond Water'' by Andy
Ross, shot in Australia in 2014. This was a personal documentary filmed by
English composer and musician Andy Ross who finds himself immersed in the
unlikely world of Australian sheep farmers who are dealing with a prolonged and
difficult drought. Contrary to his expectations he discovers an inspiring
farmer who is finding ways to adapt to the challenging climate. The farmer
raises questions about the meaning of drought and points to a need for cultural
change and adaptive strategies.
Next up was Shamba Shape Up. In 2014 IFAD was one of a number of partners in Kenya's most watched
agriculture TV show. Airing on Citizen TV on weekends, it’s watched by over 13
million people in Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania. Most viewers are farmers. This
makeover-style programme aims to give farmers the tools they need to improve
their productivity and income. The Shape-Up team visit a different farm each
week, along with experts from partner organizations who specialize in the
topics to be covered in the episode. In this episode, the Shamba Shape Up team
build a ''flexi biogas'' unit on a farm.
Lastly there was ''Modern
Nature'', a film by Craig D Leon from Brazil. By the year
2050, 10 billion people may populate Earth. Do we need a genetic revolution to
feed the world? Modern Nature takes the viewer on a non-narrated odyssey where
viewers explore the challenges that mankind faces and whether organic or GMO is
the answer. Filmed in Brazil, Ecuador, the US, St. Kitts and Nevis, Modern
Nature is an award-winning documentary which includes perspectives from 5
continents, including MIT philosopher Noam Chomsky, Delhi-based
environmentalist Vandana Shiva, and Los Angeles street farmer Ron Finley.
