2040 (film)
| Company type | Documentary film |
|---|---|
| Industry | Film |
| Founded | 2019 |
| Founder | Damon Gameau |
| Products | Documentary film |
| Website | www |
2040 is a 2019 Australian documentary film directed by and featuring Damon Gameau. This documentary investigates the anticipated effects of climate change over the next twenty years and emphasizes current technologies that have the potential to reverse these impacts.
The film was well-received by critics for its hopeful perspective on the climate emergency and attracted global attention through its presentation at various international film festivals.
Synopsis
In 2040, Gameau envisions a future for his daughter Velvet, where climate change challenges have been successfully tackled. Structured as a message to his daughter, he journeys worldwide to explore scalable solutions that have either demonstrated or plausible capacity to combat climate change by the year 2040. The documentary includes conversations with scholars, environmental specialists, and innovators focusing on five principal sectors.
It showcases how renewable energy sources like rooftop solar panels facilitate micro-grid systems in Bangladesh, allowing local communities to generate and exchange their own power. The film also delves into transportation advancements such as autonomous vehicles and shared rides, which decrease private car ownership and promote urban environments designed around green spaces and improved quality of life.
Agricultural approaches are analyzed with an emphasis on regenerative techniques that reduce greenhouse gas emissions while enhancing carbon capture and increasing drought resilience through improved water management. The advantages of diets rich in plant-based foods are also explored.
Marine Permaculture is featured for its contribution to developing offshore seaweed habitats that support sustainable harvesting of seaweed and fish, thereby enhancing food security, restoring ocean ecosystems, and capturing atmospheric carbon.
Lastly, the documentary highlights the significant societal benefits of empowering women and girls via education, linking this empowerment to population growth control grounded in human rights and wider social improvements.
Cast
In addition to Damon Gameau, the film includes interviews with Paul Hawken, Kate Raworth, Tony Seba, Neel Tahmane, Eric Toensmeier, Genevieve Bell, Brian Von Herzen, Amanda Cahill, Colin Seis, and Helena Norberg-Hodge.
Reception
2040 garnered favorable critiques from reviewers. On Rotten Tomatoes, 22 critics offered positive evaluations, resulting in an average rating indicative of widespread approval. The summary notes: "With 2040, documentarian Damon Gameau engagingly examines potential responses to the climate crisis, presenting an unusually hopeful outlook." On Metacritic, it holds a score of 77 out of 100 based on 5 reviews, signifying "generally favorable" reception.
Luke Buckmaster from The Guardian commended the film’s hopeful narrative but suggested it might have been more effective as a television series. Ben Kenigsberg of the New York Times called it “an accessible, informative and optimistic exploration of climate solutions.” Sandie Angulo Chen from Commonsense Media awarded four stars, emphasizing its educational merit and uplifting tone.
The documentary gained worldwide recognition through its inclusion at film festivals in Seattle, Stockholm, Berlin, and Gold Coast.