Food Documentary Film Analysis (Essay Sample)

Food Documentary Film Analysis Student’s Name Department Course Instructor’s Name Due Date Food Documentary Film Analysis 1. Briefly describe what the Film is about and its advocacy position. The documentary suggests that the main cause of pollution is from animal agriculture since the animals generate greenhouse gases that are very high compared to the transport sector. The main reason for rainforest destruction is livestock, as some of the hypothesized issues leading to rainforest were found to contribute very little damage compared to cattle grazing. The damage caused by livestock still needs to be addressed. It is the main cause of greenhouse gas concentration as the methane gas they produce is more harmful than carbon dioxide released by fossil fuels. Environmental agencies and government officials still need to address the issue of livestock damage to natural resources and the poisonous gases they produce in the atmosphere. The documentary focused on enlightening the public about the possible danger associated with animal agriculture and the kind of danger to the environment presented by the waste they release. They raise awareness of the harmful effects of animal agriculture, which needs to be addressed. The main focus was turning to fossil fuel when the main issue contributes to higher pollution being given a blind eye. The documentary suggests that real sustainability should focus on animal farming, such as cattle, whose harmful environmental effects are worse than fossil fuels. The documentary ignores the argument that cattle are sustainable by revealing how their product consumes a lot of water while making water scarce. 2. List five statistics in the Film that you found alarming and explain how each fact relates to the Film's premise or main theme. Explain the significance or implication of these facts. (please have at least three direct quotes and cite flawlessly) The documentary utilizes various statistical data related to water, oceans, and greenhouse effects. The documentary reveals that animal agriculture contributes 18 percent of all greenhouse gases (Andersen, 2014, 4:15). The amount of water used in oil and gas production is 100 billion gallons, while animal agriculture consumes 34 trillion gallons yearly, and their methane emissions are approximately equal (Andersen, 2014, 5:47). According to Andersen (2014), "attention is given to lowering our home water use yet domestic water use is only five percent of what is consumed in the US versus 55 for animal agriculture" (7:00). One pound of beef demands 2500 gallons of water. According to Andersen (2014), the safe level of emission "would be around 350 parts per million of carbon dioxide greenhouse gases in the atmosphere we're already at 400" (0:47). Andersen (2014) reveals that the "World Bank released an analysis on human-induced greenhouse gases finding that animal agriculture was responsible not for 18 as UN stated but was 51 percent of all greenhouse gases 51 yet all we hear about is burning fossil fuels" where the high percentage is influenced by cutting rain forest for grazing (11:29). The facts presented are related to animal agriculture and how it influences climate change through greenhouse gas emissions. The statistical data used aimed to offer clear evidence on how livestock farming impacts the earth's surface through greenhouse emissions and depletion of water on the earth's surface. The significance of the statistical data is to reveal how animal farming is causing more harm to the planet through greenhouse emissions at alarming rates compared to other emissions sources, such as fossil fuels. 3. Does this Film shed light on the food system? How so? Explain. The Film sheds light on the food system by reflecting on the food chain through the fish species facing extinction due to harmful fishing methods. It shows how animal agriculture is a vital food source that impacts the ecosystem by releasing greenhouse gases and causing high temperatures since heat cannot escape the atmosphere. Animal farming products influence greenhouse emissions as more animals are kept. Changing eating habits to veganism can allow balance in the ecosystem as animal farming is piling greenhouse gases at an alarming rate into the atmosphere. 4. Give a brief account of your reaction to the Film. i.e., How did the Film make you feel? What aspect of the Film did you most engage with? What does it make you think about? The documentary offers vital information in contemporary society as climate change has become a global concern. The Film made me rethink the previously held facts about climate change as I believed fossil fuels are the main cause only to find animal farming is an enemy to our ecosystems. The important aspect is how cattle are argued to be worse regarding greenhouse gas emissions than fossil fuels. The Film made me think the controversial issue of climate change needs to be better handled, and slowing it may be an unachievable goal. 1. What are the impacts of agricultural practices on the environment? (e.g., land, soil, water, air, and climate). What are the potential effects of climate change on future food production? The Film unfolds the hidden fact that agriculture is the main cause of pollution compared to other sources despite all the relevant authorities and government agencies avoiding talking about the issue. Andersen (2014) argues, “I started doing more investigating on the impacts of livestock and found out the situation was actually worse." Animal agriculture is harmful (11:17). Agriculture involves using toxic agricultural chemicals that lead to environmental pollution in all aspects. Agriculture, in general, impacts the environment negatively as it involves deforestation, which destroys ecosystems that support various forms of life and still increases the rate of climate change. Increasing greenhouse gases affect crops, and it is a threat to humanity. Extreme hot weather, caused by climate change due to the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, affects plants and animals in different dimensions on the earth's surface. 2. What kind of power (i.e., economic, political, etc.) does the Animal Agriculture lobby have? How does this power shape our food systems? Animal agriculture has political and economic power that allows it to thrive uninterrupted despite the advances to curb climate change. The sale of animal products earns a lot of revenue while making it to be protected by political leaders to thrive untouched. Efforts to consider the issues of greenhouse gases from animal farming have failed since "the government did not want to talk about this issue their inability to answer along with the environmental organiz...