‘Future Council’ Shows The Next Generation Having The Tough Environment Conversations
Image: Future Council
The documentary Future Council is directed and features Damon Gameau, who was at the helm of documentaries That Sugar Film and 2040. Eight children between the ages of 11 and 13 from countries including Australia, Bali, Scotland and Denmark, have been chosen from 1000 applicants to partake a journey across Europe on a yellow bus that runs on biofuel.
Their objective? To meet the powerful leaders of large companies and discuss their concerns in boardrooms – hence the ‘future council’.
Environmental concerns are constantly headlining current affair programs and communal discussions, but politicians and CEOs of major companies seem to be evading these issues. Is our inaction stealing the future of children? Are the voices of our children important?
Audiences will learn of many alarming facts. Our forests would be lost if we continue as is. Nature ensures humanity’s existence. The air we breathe comes from trees which recycle the air and yet 40% of our forests have been removed and cultivated for food, which unfortunately has affected the quality of soils. What can be done about this?
Another disturbing issue raised is that 30 million pounds of ocean plastics have been collected in the past 5 years by one company alone and this will increment to 3 times as much by the year 2050.
Disturbingly the 2 biggest plastic polluters are Coca Cola and Pepsi, and both companies refused to participate in this documentary. A meeting was organised for the children with the giant Nestle company which sells 13 million Kit Kat chocolates a day, and ING Bank who were happy to listen to the children exploring solutions which would benefit the environment.
These 8 knowledgeable children seemed to offer several good ideas and ultimately the documentary asks, should there be an advisory committee of children? Are adults so stuck in their ways that they find it difficult to see ulterior ways of doing things? Can children be helpful in helping to solve the climate and ecological crisis?
This is impactful, informative, thought-provoking and significant viewing specifically aimed at families and younger children, but the older sect may find these children overbearing at times, especially in a sequence when one of the children marked by strong and intense feelings impetuously upstages a company director and abruptly declares, ‘You’re not a leader, but a disgrace!”
Audiences may be divided. This is a cute and well-intentioned documentary, but young children suggesting ways of tackling environmental issues to CEOs may prove to be quite ludicrous to some viewers. Should children merely enjoy their childhood and leave environmental issues to adults?
Future Council
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In Cinemas August 7
