Screening Guidelines for The 11th Hour
Screening Guidelines for The 11th Hour
We have a choice: will this century be one of human activities that increase the likelihood of local
and global social disruption and collapse, or will this time become the century of environmental
recovery? The 11th Hour promotes the idea that people can "vote" every day by making small
changes—from buying compact fluorescent light bulbs to recycling—in order to reduce our
individual "carbon footprints."
Environmental education often begins close to home, encouraging learners to forge connections
with and understand their immediate surroundings. The awareness, knowledge, and skills needed for
these local connections and understandings provide a base for a more sophisticated comprehension of
causes, connections, and consequences. For each environmental issue there is not just one right
answer or solution. Environmental education cultivates the ability to recognize uncertainty, envision
alternative scenarios, and adapt to changing conditions and information.
To this end, the following guidelines can be used by classroom and community educators in a variety
of contexts—from a formal classroom setting to an evening program or workshop—to foster crucial
dialogue about the critical status of our environment, and how individuals—through education,
awareness, and simple actions—can make a positive difference.
Recommended Audiences
The 11th Hour is appropriate for any young adult or adult audience interested in exploring
environmental issues and solutions. In particular, this film provides an opportunity for institutions of
higher learning to lead the way towards environmental recovery, as tomorrow’s leaders are on
college campuses today. The film provides viewers with opportunities to construct their own
understanding of a variety of complex issues relating to the environmental crisis. Post-viewing
discussions can help transition viewers from absorbing information, to taking action.
Note to Facilitators
Before screening The 11th Hour, watch the video, creating a list of the film’s main points for post-
screening discussion. These points might include, among others:
• climate change/global warming
• overpopulation
• excessive consumption
• biodiversity loss
• speed of devastation
• air and water pollution
• social justice
• “green” decision making and “redesigning design”
• “biomimicry” – looking to nature’s operating system for sustainable solutions
• renewable energy
• local community action
In addition, as you preview the film, consider and take note of places that would be good to stop the
film for interim discussions.
We have a choice: will this century be one of human activities that increase the likelihood of local
and global social disruption and collapse, or will this time become the century of environmental
recovery? The 11th Hour promotes the idea that people can "vote" every day by making small
changes—from buying compact fluorescent light bulbs to recycling—in order to reduce our
individual "carbon footprints."
Environmental education often begins close to home, encouraging learners to forge connections
with and understand their immediate surroundings. The awareness, knowledge, and skills needed for
these local connections and understandings provide a base for a more sophisticated comprehension of
causes, connections, and consequences. For each environmental issue there is not just one right
answer or solution. Environmental education cultivates the ability to recognize uncertainty, envision
alternative scenarios, and adapt to changing conditions and information.
To this end, the following guidelines can be used by classroom and community educators in a variety
of contexts—from a formal classroom setting to an evening program or workshop—to foster crucial
dialogue about the critical status of our environment, and how individuals—through education,
awareness, and simple actions—can make a positive difference.
Recommended Audiences
The 11th Hour is appropriate for any young adult or adult audience interested in exploring
environmental issues and solutions. In particular, this film provides an opportunity for institutions of
higher learning to lead the way towards environmental recovery, as tomorrow’s leaders are on
college campuses today. The film provides viewers with opportunities to construct their own
understanding of a variety of complex issues relating to the environmental crisis. Post-viewing
discussions can help transition viewers from absorbing information, to taking action.
Note to Facilitators
Before screening The 11th Hour, watch the video, creating a list of the film’s main points for post-
screening discussion. These points might include, among others:
• climate change/global warming
• overpopulation
• excessive consumption
• biodiversity loss
• speed of devastation
• air and water pollution
• social justice
• “green” decision making and “redesigning design”
• “biomimicry” – looking to nature’s operating system for sustainable solutions
• renewable energy
• local community action
In addition, as you preview the film, consider and take note of places that would be good to stop the
film for interim discussions.