Arena Theater Point Arena, CA
Dr. Art Sussman
Scientist/Educator/Author
Don't Look Up— Effectively Responding to Environmental Crisis
Program Description
In what ways do scientists, the media, and politicians make it more difficult to effectively communicate about and respond to an environmental crisis? Dr. Art Sussman's presentation and associated audience discussion compares the problems highlighted in the movie's fictional crisis with our global climate change crisis. And why is this so hard to do well?
Presented as part of the 2022 National Evening of Science on Screen.
Presented At
Arena Theater Point Arena, CA
Film Synopsis
Two low-level astronomers must go on a giant media tour to warn mankind of an approaching comet that will destroy planet Earth.
Kate Dibiasky (Jennifer Lawrence), an astronomy grad student, and her professor Dr. Randall Mindy (Leonardo DiCaprio) make an astounding discovery of a comet orbiting within the solar system. The problem: it's on a direct collision course with Earth. The other problem? No one really seems to care. Turns out warning mankind about a planet-killer the size of Mount Everest is an inconvenient fact to navigate. With the help of Dr. Oglethorpe (Rob Morgan), Kate and Randall embark on a media tour that takes them from the office of an indifferent President Orlean (Meryl Streep) and her sycophantic son and Chief of Staff, Jason (Jonah Hill), to the airwaves of The Daily Rip, an upbeat morning show hosted by Brie (Cate Blanchett) and Jack (Tyler Perry). With only six months until the comet makes impact, managing the 24-hour news cycle and gaining the attention of the social media obsessed public before it's too late proves shockingly comical -- what will it take to get the world to just look up?! — Rotten Tomatoes
Photo courtesy of Netflix
About the Speaker
Dr. Art Sussman earned a PhD in biochemistry from Princeton University and did further scientific research at Oxford, Harvard and the University of California. He changed his career from research to improving education and outreach for K-12 teachers, students, and the public. In his state, national, and international work, Dr. Art includes a focus on global environmental issues and the biggest ideas in science. For more info, visit drartscience.com.