The Acid Rain Movie
THE ACID RAIN MOVIE follows one of the greatest environmental success stories, revealing how trailblazing scientists and activists achieved the seemingly impossible: convincing politicians to reduce fossil fuel emissions. Their victory over sulfur dioxide expands what’s imaginable in the battle over carbon dioxide. History has a funny way of recycling.
It’s 1980. President Ronald Reagan is gutting environmental regulation just as acid rain takes North America by storm. Lakes and forests are dying, and scientists have traced the culprit to coal plant emissions.
The fight brings together scientists, environmentalists and unlikely coalitions of fishermen, maple syrup producers, health experts and concerned citizens across Canada and the US. Meanwhile, industry funds doubt, seeds denial and warns that regulation will devastate the economy.
Eventually, the political logjam breaks. George H.W. Bush signs a groundbreaking cap-and-trade system. Emissions plummet faster and more cheaply than predicted, ecosystems recover, and the economic disaster never comes. Thirty years later, the economic benefits have far outweighed the costs.
Today, as the U.S. administration rolls back environmental protections, that victory has new relevance. The fight is different, but many arguments are familiar. The acid rain story reminds us that even seemingly impossible environmental battles can be won.