Educational Media Reviews Online

Shattered Sky is a documentary about U.S. environmental history and climate change policy. The documentary explores the political process of the United States government in the 1970s-1980s as it addresses chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) depleting the ozone layer and the signing of the international treaty, the Montreal Protocol. As the films moves into the 21st century, climate change policy for carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions is explored. Historic news footage and modern day interviews with lawyers, activists, industry spokespersons, and government officials are used extensively to explain the issues. The documentary presents an impressive list of primary sources. Interviews include noted atmospheric scientists and Nobel Prize winners, Susan Solomon and Sherwood Rowland. The film encourages citizens to push the United States government to take a lead in mitigating climate change in both national and international arenas, just as viewers learn the U.S. did with the ozone layer and CFCs. The producers should receive accolades for creating a bipartisan documentary that breaks the typical stereotypes of industry and governmental officials.

The film moves at a dizzying pace as it covers a half century’s worth of interviews and news. Thus, it will be best used in conjunction with a course. Despite the gloomy, dire background music, which admittedly is a cheap trick to frighten viewers, the documentary leaves viewers with a plan. This film will not replace documentaries about the scientific explanations of climate change, but is a good addition for environmental studies and policy collections.