Natural Capital: Making a catastrophe free climate change documentary

Abstract

By the time the ball drops, 2025 will be the second or third hottest year on record (World Meteorological Association, 2025). The Washington DC region, made up by the Potomac and Anacostia River watersheds has been canonized in American history as beautiful and a worthy home for the grandeur of the federal government.

However, the impacts of climate change in confluence with pollution and urban development that has encroached on DC's watershed have taken a toll on the waterways, wildlife and parks (Dryden, 2024). Stories about environmental devastation are often conveyed to audiences through dramatic narratives that present existential stakes to audiences. However, these films fail to catalyze the type of quotidian, routine civic action that is required to address environmental issues. Guided by naturalist books and a critical examination of existing climate and environmental film, Natural Capital examines the local, unglamorous efforts to restore, beautify and represent the natural environment of the nation's capital.

It also attempts to motivate a greater climate consciousness in the viewer not through science fictional renderings of devastation or setting apocalyptic stakes, but by endearing and charming the viewer to the people cleaning up our messes. Film is often described as an “empathy machine” but can we garner empathy for nature in our own backyard through the people working on making it better? I noticed that change in myself throughout research and filming for the project and if I have succeeded, that change can be felt by the viewer.