Review of Documentary: "Green"

Summary


The documentary "Green", is based on over 150 petrochemical plants that run along the Mississippi river from Baton Rouge to New Orleans. This one area that ranges around 100 miles in 25% responsible for the nations petrochemicals, also known as "Cancer Alley".


Throughout the documentary, they move along the river from town to town and discuss what issues each are facing. Most share the same things in common, low-income residents and an unusual amount of rare cancer cases and other rare health issues- Linked to the plants? It's hard to prove. People who are interviewed and live in these towns (cancer alley towns) are confident that there is a link between their health and the plants. A young girl talks about her cancer and how she believes it related to the plants. She suffers from neuroblastoma- Tumors. She has had numerous removed and she is only 13 years old. Another case that was discussed involed a little boy named Caleb whos face was paralyzed on the left side from cancer of the brain. He needed radiation, during which had his pituitary gland "fried". This caused his growth to be affected and he now has serious developmental problems.

There are so many other people affected, I could write the longest blog ever and not get the words out to describe how these people are feeling or what they are going through. Apparently, these big cooperations keep track of their own data and have to (should) disclose when there is a problem. The example related to this kind of situation was, turning yourself in for a speeding ticket, only this is a little more serious. Another issue that seemed a little shady was data can easily be skewed because of the division of land. Why lie to our selves with these numbers? We are only manipulating ourselves in the long run.

A town called Norco was hit pretty hard with power plant problems. The coorporation Shell had an explosion at one of their plants. Seven people died. A powerplant "flare", which releases gasses and toxins into the airhad a mishap, but it was ok... The plant gave the town a better look and offered them money. Seriouly!?

What about a 700 million dollar plant? Shin Tek, a plant that is known for its use of polyvinyl chloride (pvc's). Thats ok too, because it will offer 650 jobs and open up ecomonic opportunities. When interviewed about that statement a woman of that town said, "Certain people are sacrificed for power and greed!" Which I believe is true. People can't see past the money. If something is producing and making profit, then it must be a good thing.

My thoughts..

Is there really nothing we can do? Will there always be enivronmental injustice? It's hard to say. A point made, was that us as the consumers are the ones feeding the plants the $$$ to keep them going. Can we go without those products? It's such a nasty cycle of taking a lot and not giving anything. It works for everyone who are not fimiliar with these issues, we live our lives day to day and think the smallest issues are tough,. I couldn't imagine having to live on a 17 foot deep landfill, or lose a child to cancer that could have been linked to a home grown garden. So many things are taken for granted. A woman on the documentary said a very powerful comment, " They don't see human beings, the see GREEN!" Until we can look past the "green", problems are going to keep on rising.