59 minutes Study Guide Grades 9-12, College, Adult Directed by Christopher McLeod Produced by Robert Lewis and Christopher McLeod DVD Purchase $79, Rent $45 US Release Date: 1988 Copyright Date: 1987 DVD ISBN: 1-59458-685-3 VHS ISBN: 1-56029-009-9 Subjects American Studies Chemistry Economics Environment Environmental Ethics Health History Humanities Local Economies Mining Rivers Toxic Chemicals Urban and Regional Planning Water Western US Awards and Festivals Blue Ribbon, American Film & Video Festival Gold Apple, National Educational Film & Video Festival Best of Festival/Polaris Award, National Council for Geographic Education CINE Golden Eagle Golden Gate Award, San Francisco International Film Festival Gold Medal, International Film & TV Festival of New York Special Jury Award, Telluride MountainFilm Festival Ekofilm Editor's Choice, Booklist Editor's Choice, Science Books and Films |
Downwind/Downstream Threats to the Mountains and Waters of the American West Water quality for major southwest cities is threatened by mining, acid rain, urbanization.
DOWNWIND/DOWNSTREAM documents the serious threat to water quality, sub-alpine ecosystems, and public health in the Colorado Rockies from mining operations, acid rain, and urbanization. 10,000 abandoned mines in the high country, plus thousands of acres covered with wastes from such huge operations as the Climax molybdenum mine, release a steady stream of toxic heavy metals into the headwaters of the Western water supply -- water on which cities as far apart as El Paso, Phoenix, Denver, and Los Angeles depend. Acid rain and snow leach additional metals from mountain soils and threaten aquatic ecosystems and forests. Together, these problems also represent a potent threat to the $10 billion Western tourism industry. The time for action is now! Reviews "A powerful reminder that we share a limited environment with other humans and other life forms and that we will be ecologically and ethically accountable for thoughtless conduct. The film is a superb tool for teaching modern environmentalism." Roderick Nash, Professor of History and Environmental Studies, UC Santa Barbara |