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Award-Winning “Beyond The Light Switch” Documentary Showing At Washtenaw Community College

Film Will Explore Pros/Cons of Energy Technology

Movie Part Of WCC Sustainability Literacy Task Force [SLTF] Year Of Energy Celebration

WHAT: The showing of “Beyond The Light Switch” – a documentary film about the pros and cons of a range of energy technologies including carbon capture, hydraulic fracturing, nuclear, solar, wind and super grids.  The documentary is hosted by David Biello, energy and environment editor at Scientific American Magazine and was produced locally by WTVS – Detroit Public Television – a local affiliate of the Public Broadcast System. [PBS.]

The movie won the DuPont-Columbia University award for journalistic excellence in 2011.

“Beyond The Light Switch” is sponsored by the WCC Students for Sustainable Food Systems Club. Students from the WCC Culinary Arts, Baking/Pastry, and Hospitality programs created the club in 2012. The club has been the major force behind the environmentally themed "Dinner and a Movie" nights held each semester.

The award-winning director/producer of the film is Ed Moore. Moore is known for his insightful storytelling which conveys often highly technical information in a disarming, jargon-free manner – providing for a compelling and informative viewing experience.

More information about the documentary can be found at: http://www.dptv.org/documentaries/beyond-the-light-switch/index.shtml

The film is free and open to the public.

WHEN/WHERE: Friday, March 28, 7:30 p.m. at the Towsley Auditorium in the Morris Lawrence Building.

WHY: “Within the scientific community, there is no doubt that climate change is occurring and that human activity is the primary cause,” said Dale Petty, SLTF member. “Examples of the climate change include accelerating sea levels, an increase in large wildfires, dangerous heat waves, extreme storm events, and more severe droughts. These changes have negatively impacted our society and our environment. Unfortunately, national and international efforts to find a solution have stalled. At this point, people must educate themselves and work with local governments and institutions to quickly make changes to respect the earth’s natural resources – with the hope and intention that state governments and the federal government will follow. Viewing “Beyond the Light Switch” can be one step in this journey.”

Sustainability Literacy Task Force [SLTF]

The Sustainability Literacy Task Force is a multi-disciplinary committee of WCC instructors whose passion is to educate people about the benefits of sustainability and using the planet’s resources wisely.

Members include Dale Petty [Industrial Technology], Emily Thompson Ph.D. [Biology], Maryam Barrie [English], and Chef Alice Gannon-Boss [Culinary Arts].

For more information about upcoming SLTF workshops and events – visit http://sustainable.wccnet.edu or contact Dale Petty, WCC Faculty, Industrial Technology at petty@wccnet.edu. 

WCC, along with over 600 other institutions that have signed the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC), has developed a plan to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions to zero. For more information visit: http://bit.ly/1iuX0EA

Washtenaw Community College is located at 4800 E. Huron Drive, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48105.

Washtenaw Community College (WCC) has made education accessible and affordable for the local community for 48 years. Located in Ann Arbor, MI, the College offers over 120 degrees and certificates, an open door admission policy and affordable tuition rates. WCC is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, the regional accrediting organization recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.