The White House Effect: A missed opportunity to combat climate change
A pivotal moment in history
In the documentary “The White House Effect,” directors Bonni Cohen, Pedro Kos, and Jon Shenk delve into a critical period in American history when the chance to take decisive action on global warming was not only missed but actively undermined. The film focuses on the George H.W. Bush administration (1988-1992), a time when the world was beginning to understand the gravity of climate change.
Bush took office in 1988, which was then the hottest year on record. He promised to tackle the greenhouse effect with what he termed the “White House Effect.” However, the documentary reveals how seeds of disinformation around climate change were sown in America three decades ago. Using only archival footage, the film portrays the internal conflict within the Bush administration, particularly between the head of the Environmental Protection Agency, William Riley, and Chief of Staff John Sununu, over setting limits on fossil fuel emissions.
The film culminates with Bush’s arrival in Rio in 1992, where the United States not only broke its promises but also undermined the global effort to set real limits on emissions by the year 2000. This moment set the stage for the current climate crisis.
The making of the documentary
The inspiration behind the film
For decades, climate change has been a notoriously difficult story to tell. It’s almost too vast for a single human mind and heart to grasp fully. The directors were inspired to tell this story after reading an article about the events of the 1980s. It was an epiphany for them to realize that real characters were involved in this dramatic story.
A different approach to climate storytelling
Cohen, Kos, and Shenk have made numerous films about climate heroes, but they wanted to explore a different angle this time. They aimed to delve into a dramatic moment in American history when the science of global warming was clear, and the American public was alert. The film explores the internal drama within the Bush administration, likening it to a standoff between the devil and the angel on Bush’s shoulders.
Selecting the archival material
Initially, the directors had the ambitious goal of covering the history of climate change from the first oil well drilled in 1859 to the present. They amassed over 14,000 pieces of archival material but realized they needed to focus on a specific period to tell the story effectively. They chose to concentrate on why the fate of the Earth became a political football and why society became divided on this issue.
The role of disinformation
The impact of media
The film also examines how Americans began reacting to the information they received, whether true or not. The directors wanted to show how the messaging around climate change started to change through television and radio. Figures like Rush Limbaugh seized on the issue, turning it into a political weapon. The film highlights how Americans became culpable by accepting this information without questioning it properly.
The roots of disinformation
The four years Bush was in office may not have been the beginning of the disinformation movement, but it was certainly one of its early stages. The archival materials in the film show these ideas taking root in the country. The directors emphasize that what is shown in the film is mild compared to how far the disinformation movement has come since then.
A call to action
Targeting the younger generation
The directors hope to reach young people with this film, particularly those in college or their early 20s. They aim to evoke a sense of disbelief and outrage, rather than just providing a list of actions to take. The goal is to create a “mic drop” moment of complete outrage at the end of the film.
The power of outrage
While traditional climate change films often end with messages about changing light bulbs, going solar, or driving electric cars, “The White House Effect” aims to motivate viewers through outrage. The directors believe that this emotional response is a powerful catalyst for change.
“The White House Effect” is currently seeking distribution. For more information and to watch the trailer, visit The White House Effect.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.