In the final days leading up to Ronald Reagan’s election in late October 1980, Congress convened twenty experts from diverse disciplines at a Florida beachfront hotel. The group’s mandate was straightforward: develop strategies to combat the escalating dangers of fossil fuel emissions and present their findings to lawmakers as a formal statement.
Over a grueling 36-hour period spanning four marathon sessions, every disagreement, digression, and truce was transcribed by a stenographer, resulting in a massive document that now serves as a historical artifact. The record captures a moment before corporate interests and political maneuvering clouded public understanding of rising atmospheric CO2 levels with misinformation.
The very existence of the conference is remarkable, highlighting an era when scientific expertise was still largely trusted. The participants—specialists in climate science, energy, law, philosophy, and politics—unanimously accepted the core facts of global warming, yet found it difficult to agree on actionable solutions.
Paul Rudd, Paul Giamatti, and Tatiana Maslany head an exceptional ensemble cast in this dramatization. However, the source material presents a unique cinematic challenge, depicting a room full of specialists presenting evidence via overhead projectors rather than traditional dramatic action.
It’s terrifying that this 1980 hearing is so relevant today. The misinformation tactics haven’t changed one bit.
Paul Rudd in a serious role? I never thought I’d see the day, but he actually nails the gravitas here.