Overflow crowd for The Human Element, an important film

Around 112 area residents crowded into Joseph Theater in Breidenbaugh Hall at Gettysburg College on Sunday, March 24 to view The Human Element, a new documentary on the impact of climate change on Americans across the country. The also lent their support to a reboot of Green Gettysburg, a nonpartisan project of Gettysburg DFA focused on supporting and better connecting organizations in our area that are working on environmental issues.

The Human Element features National Geographic photographer James Balog and uses his photography to explore the life situations of American affected by floods, rising sea levels, air pollution, the fires in California, and nearly a century of coal mining. Though it highlights the courage and resilience of those facing these threats, it also makes clear that climate change is already happening and directly affecting many Americans.

The film was cosponsored by Green Gettysburg, the St. James Lutheran Creation Care Task Force, and the Environmental Studies and English departments at Gettysburg College. After the film, representatives of several community groups spoke briefly about their work and announced some upcoming events.Steve Zimmerman from the Gettysburg Green Gathering reminded the audience about the upcoming Green Gathering at the Gettysburg Rec Park on June 1 that includes music, food, educators on a variety of environmental, food and farming issues, and games and other activities for children. Details are available on their website at http://www.gettysburggreengathering.com/. Jenny Dumont, chair of Gettysburg Rising, also spoke on Rise Above Plastic, their community project focused on eliminating single-use plastic bags, straws and other plastic items in the community.Representatives from St. James commented briefly on their efforts on minimizing the use of plastic as well.