Actor Leonardo DiCaprio has long been an avid activist in the fight against climate change. He was even recently appointed as a U.N. Messenger of Peace. However, DiCaprio’s activism stretches back far before that, since 1998 when he met Al Gore at the White House and set up his foundation, The Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, that very year. In 2007, he narrated a climate change film, "The 11th Hour" and has used his status and monetary value to support efforts in combating climate change. His latest endeavor? "Before The Flood."
"Before The Flood" is a film that explores the dangers of climate change and the possible solutions. It boasts an impressive cast of interviewees, such as Barrack Obama, Pope Francis, Ban Ki-Moon, Bill Clinton and John Kerry just to name some highlights. DiCaprio takes viewers on a journey around the globe, exploring some of the places where the devastating effects of climate change are the clearest. Stunning and shocking images of environmental devastation take viewers’ breath away. Throughout the film, DiCaprio’s own pessimism and skepticism is clear, and it’s actually refreshing. Anyone who is passionate about climate change can relate to these overwhelming feelings.
The shining moment in "Before The Flood," however, is the inclusion of animal agriculture. Animal agriculture is the number one leading cause of species extinction, ocean dead zones, water pollution and habitat destruction. And yet, it is rarely spoken about when we talk about climate change. Only recently, has it been introduced into the conversation with ground-breaking films like "Cowspiracy", which DiCaprio joined as executive producer. "Before The Flood" specifically explores the detrimental effects that beef has. Fun (or not so fun fact): one burger is equivalent to 250 gallons of water. "Before The Flood" emphasizes how beef is one of the most inefficient use of resources and urges you to put down the burger.
Despite being chock-full of imagery and facts that leave a lasting impression, the film's target audience seems to be people who are uneducated about climate change, but willing to learn. For those who have already heard about these devastating facts, the information in the film is nothing you haven’t seen before — it's old news. The real tragedy is that it will do little to change the minds of those who deny or disregard climate change. It plays it safe, and even DiCaprio himself seems restrained and censored. While it certainly informs, DiCaprio had an opportunity to create a groundbreaking film that would transcend audiences, and "Before The Flood" falls short of that.
