To The End

The topic of climate change has been quite a hot button topic around the world and especially in the United States. While lines have been drawn in the sand over what our future path in emissions and growth, there are many behind the scenes pushing for a greener lifestyle…willing to do whatever it takes to achieve that goal. Directed by Rachel Lears, the documentary To The End gives viewers perspective to those who are in the fight to stop the climate crisis and their opponents. Through the eyes of four remarkable young women taking a stand against climate change and working to make a difference, we are reminded that the future is bright and ready to change the world.  

While those who have stake in the fossil fuel industry have downplayed the need to address climate change, there are many others who refuse to stand back and be silent. To The End takes viewers on the path of four women who are working to make their voices heard in the face of the climate crisis: Sunrise Movement Executive Director Varshini Prakash, Green New Deal Policy Writer Rhiana Gunn-Wright, Justice Democrats Executive Director and CNN contributor Alexandra Rojas, and New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Prakash, Gunn-Wright, Rojas and Ocasio-Cortez each try to tackle the climate crisis in through their positions and influencing others to join their crusade. From protests, voicing concerns to Congress, working to place pro-environmental politicians in office and everything in between…the voices of those who desire a cleaner future refuse to give up the fight and strive to be heard in a country where many do not want to acknowledge the worst is yet to come.  

But these women are more than just social justice warriors. They are daughters, mothers and friends. They refuse to allow the world to remain complacent and using their platforms, engage hundreds, thousands and even millions of people to join them in a fight that we need to win in order to continue living at the speed we are growing. And even when faced against individuals and industries who don’t quite grasp the damage being done as wildfires, floods and chemical deterioration occur on a regular basis…they don’t hesitate to keep pushing back.  

There may be several documentaries and specials that focus on the climate crisis today, yet Rachel Lears has brought in a perspective that many of us are not aware of; how difficult it has been for the climate crisis to be taken seriously and just how many are willing to fight until it is. Known for her work in social issue documentaries, Lears addressed one of the largest social issues to date with To The End – how do we battle the climate crisis and get everyone to listen? It’s clear that there are many speaking up and taking Congress and supporters of the fossil fuel industry to task, but what will it take before we stop looking at fossil fuels as “affordable and reliable” and placing more emphasis on what is more sustainable for us to continue growing and thriving? 

What stands out the most is the lengths that many of those featured in To The End went to in order to make their stance clear. When faced with those in fossil fuel industries or politicians backed by them, their stance never wavered in holding those individuals accountable. Senator Joe Manchin encountered protestors after refusing to vote for the Build Back Better bill. During the primaries President Joe Biden was held accountable for any support he received from the fossil fuel industry…much to his chagrin. Even when CEOs of gas companies spoke before Congress about the benefits of fossil fuels their words were quickly swallowed up by those in politics who reminded them of the damage their products inflicted environmentally. The environmental advocates didn’t care about money. Tthey cared more about clean air. They believe in preserving the future for generations to come more than profiting from it.   

To The End is a reminder that while the older generations may not fully understand how we play a part in climate change or find it necessary to address now, the younger generation refuses to sit back and not go down without a fight to try and rectify our mistakes. As Ocasio-Cortez put it best at the end of the documentary: “Where are we steering the ship?”

For more information on To The End and how you can play your part in helping to fight the climate crisis, please visit https://www.totheendfilm.com.