By Monteque Pope-Le Beau

It is hard to believe that there are those that still believe climate change is a hoax with the horrendous climate disasters and events playing out each and everyday. With the wildfires raging on in California, drought in Texas, daytime flooding in Florida  and lives across the country been disrupted it is not a fable illusion that climate change is coming, it is a everyday reality that climate change is here as showcased in the documentary “Paris to Pittsburgh”.

National Geographic Documentary Films is distributing the Bloomberg Philanthropies’ second film, “Paris to Pittsburgh”. The documentary brings to life the impassioned efforts of individuals who are battling the most severe threats of climate change in their own backyards. Set against the national debate over the United States’ energy future and the Trump administration’s explosive decision to exit the Paris Climate Agreement; the film captures what’s at stake for communities around the country and the inspiring ways Americans are responding.

“There are now more jobs in renewable energy in the state of Pennsylvania than coal, natural gas, and oil combined.”Bill Peduto, Mayor of Pittsburgh

The documentary is directed by Emmy Award winner Sidney Beaumont and Emmy-nominated filmmaker Michael Bonfiglio with Emmy and Golden Globe Award winning actress and activist Rachel Brosnahan, star of the hit series The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, narrating the documentary.“Paris to Pittsburgh” will have its premier on the National Geographic Channel on Wednesday, December 12, 2018 at 9pm ET/PT in the U.S. and will air globally in 172 countries and 45 languages.

“You know what’s bad for jobs and the economy? Sea level rise, and coastal flooding, and saltwater intrusion into the Everglades where our drinking supply rests in South Florida. That will really devastate our region and actually, won’t allow us to live there anymore.” Congressman Carlos Curbelo, Florida’s 26th District

“Paris to Pittsburgh” draws on a vast array of landscapes, backgrounds, cultures, businesses and innovation; both large in scale and small to paint both a sobering, but also an inspiring picture the changing influence the climate change has had on both the country and its people.

“We’re all a resident of somewhere. So residents of cities have a huge role to play – that’s where we can pull the levers on things like transportation decisions, land use decisions. People understanding where they live, where they work, how they get around – this is their everyday life that actually can make a real difference.” Lauren Faber O’Connor, Chief Sustainability Officer, Office of Mayor Eric Garcetti

Spotlighting the cities, states, businesses and citizens taking action, Paris to Pittsburgh explores the very real social and economic impacts of climate change-fueled disasters, from America’s heartland to the nation’s coastlines. The film features voices from local leaders as well as everyday Americans presenting the stories behind climate-related recovery and resiliency, as well as tireless innovative efforts to reduce carbon emissions, including boomtowns formerly reliant on coal such as Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh, led by Mayor Bill Peduto, who stood up to defy President Trump when he announced the U.S.’s withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, is now a city committed to energy efficiency and is one of the many examples of bold economic and climate leadership in the film. Other locations featured in the film include Puerto Rico, California, Iowa, Florida and New Jersey.

“I started speaking out because I felt like the youth voice needed to be in the discussion about these issues that are directly going to impact us.” Iris Fen Gillingham, Zero Hour

 It is very heartbreaking to see the disconnect Washington has and it’s ever growing agenda of climate denial. If we were to wait for the reality of climate change to hit Washington it would truly be to late. “Paris to Pittsburgh” is an lightning rod of change. The documentaries sobering reality of what is happening to our planet is both humbling and mind boggling; and yet it’s message is also one of hope.  The changes is coming from the grass roots level from all corners of America. From farms to cities, from the east coast to the west coast. There are no boundaries just the American people working on solutions to the problems of climate change. With communities across the country taking action to confront the severe health and economic threats it poses refusing to wait for the day until federal help arrives.

For more information you can go to https://www.paristopittsburgh.com/