Watch Happening: A Clean Energy Revolution

In the documentary Happening: A Clean Energy Revolution, filmmaker and environmentalist James Redford takes viewers on a journey across the United States to explore the growing movement towards clean, renewable energy. Along the way, he speaks with a diverse range of experts and advocates, from engineers and scientists to farmers and entrepreneurs, to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities of transitioning to a more sustainable energy system.

The film opens with Redford’s personal story of being diagnosed with liver cancer in 1993, which he attributes to the toxic chemicals he was exposed to as a child growing up near a petroleum refinery in California. This experience, he explains, drove him to become an advocate for environmental health and led him to make this film.

Redford begins his journey in the mountains of Colorado, where he meets with a group of engineers who are developing new technologies for harnessing wind energy. He then travels to Iowa to explore the state’s thriving wind power industry, which has become a major source of renewable energy and economic growth. From there, he visits a small town in Texas that has completely transitioned to solar power, thanks to the efforts of a local businessman.

Throughout the film, Redford emphasizes the importance of public engagement and political action in driving the transition to clean energy. He interviews a variety of activists and policy makers, including former Secretary of State John Kerry and environmental lawyer Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who stress the need for collective action to combat climate change.

One particularly compelling segment of the film takes place in the Navajo Nation, where Redford learns about the destructive impacts of coal mining on the land and the health of the people who live there. He speaks with Navajo leaders who are working to transition their community to renewable energy sources and create new economic opportunities for their people.

Throughout his journey, Redford also highlights the many benefits of clean energy, from the economic benefits of job creation and energy independence to the health benefits of reducing air pollution and improving public health. He visits a hospital in California that has installed a massive solar array, which not only reduces the facility’s energy costs but also improves patient outcomes by reducing pollution.

Overall, Happening: A Clean Energy Revolution is an inspiring and informative film that provides a comprehensive overview of the clean energy movement in the United States. Through stunning visuals and engaging storytelling, Redford makes a compelling case for the urgent need to transition to a more sustainable energy system. The film is a must-watch for anyone who cares about the future of our planet and wants to be part of the solution to one of the greatest challenges of our time.