Educational Media Reviews Online

Exploring energy as a weakness of the United States, this film not only examines the environmental consequences of American energy consumption, but takes a critical look at the faulty cultural norms that typify the nation “born into cheap energy.” The film is replete with staggering data. For example, the U.S. comprises 5% of the world’s population and consumes 25% of world’s energy. There are 243 million petroleum-run vehicles in the U.S., using a total of 380 million gallons of petroleum fuels per day.

The audience sees inefficiencies in US vehicles and its energy infrastructure. In stark comparison, Japan, a nation with few native energy resources and advanced energy conservation practices, should serve as a model of behavior. Energy Crossroads exposes the extent to which everyday behaviors contribute to energy wastage and environmental degradation. It examines energy expenditure for food production, packaging, and transport, citing that in the US, approximately 10 calories of energy are expended to bring every calorie of food to the point of consumption. In addition to cultural and behavioral issues, the film expounds upon the impacts of fossil fuel usage on the environment, especially at the poles and on hurricane patterns. With an onslaught of compelling data, statistics, and animated graph, Energy Crossroads drives home the need for productive change.

It is important to note that this fine work is not all “doom and gloom.” In addition to proactive recommendations for one’s habits, the film offers sources of hope in examples of Unites States’ cultural shifts – showing children’s general acceptance of environmental preservation and protection, and the adoption of technologies such as solar, wind and geothermal devices, and car redesigns. There are examples of companies that are successfully and profitably using alternative energy resources. There is also a brief financial breakdown of designs of energy efficient businesses and homes. The documentary concludes with a call upon the U.S. government to lead the nation forward and to accept responsibility itself.

Energy Crossroads offers several featurettes, including a short documentary made in 1973 by the U.S. Department of Commerce, that speaks of the petroleum embargo of the time and nation’s positive response, albeit a short-lived one. Chillingly, the short documentary acknowledges, even then, of U.S. dependence on foreign energy.

This is an excellent and well-balanced exploration of many dimensions of U.S. energy dependence. There is an equitable distribution of treatment of environmental issues, personal behaviors, positive actions, and proposed solutions. While it speaks to the audience, it is not overly preachy. It serves as a source of guidance and hope, while supplying steady doses of sobering information.

Awards

• Winner, Colorado Environmental Film Festival