Catching the Sun Renewable Energy Debate at Miguel Canela Lázaro de Salcedo Science Academy

September 16, 2016

The DREFF screened the documentary, Catching the Sun at the Dr. Miguel Canela Lázaro Science Acadamy in Salcedo to a group of some 50 students and school staff. It was the first time the Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival (DREFF) has come to Salcedo province.

When the film ended, the students had many questions and concerns about how to adapt and advance the use of renewable energy, especially the use of solar energy in the Dominican Republic. One of the students gave a brief but important message, saying that the film made him see it is possible to take advantage of environmental resources without exploiting them.

Carmen Cañizares, Professor of Environmental Sciences at the school, said the DREFF was a very effective tool for raising awareness among her students, who work in the area of environment everyday. She noted that films like Catching the Sun enables students to see that, beyond theory, things can be achieved in practice. She said it was an unforgettable experience, which gave her encouragement and hope to continue working on these important issues.

The documentary, directed by filmmaker and environmental activist Shalini Kantayya, is about an unemployed American worker, a Tea Party activist, and a Chinese solar energy entrepreneur who are competing to lead the future in the use of clean energy. But who wins and who loses in the race for power in the 21st century? Through the stories of workers and entrepreneurs in the U.S. and China, Catching the Sun captures the story of the global energy transition from the perspective of workers and entrepreneurs who create solutions to income inequality and climate change with their own hands. Their successes and failures speak to one of the biggest questions of our time: will the U.S. actually be able to build a clean energy economy?

About the DREFF
Since its creation in 2011, the Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival has been providing Dominicans with a platform of knowledge and debate on the environment and sustainable development, as well as examples of best practices to achieve them, while celebrating the unique beauty and natural heritage of the Dominican Republic.

www.dreff.org / info@dreff.org
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