repubblica.it
Climate Activist Highlights Legal Battles and Human Cost of Climate Change at Rimini Conference
Filmmaker Nic Balthazar presented his documentary "Duty of Care", which follows the Shell climate lawsuit, and his play "For Rosa", which dramatizes the death of a young climate activist, at the ECca 2025 climate conference in Rimini, Italy, highlighting the human cost of climate inaction and the need for legal accountability.
- How does Balthazar's approach to climate communication differ from more conventional methods, and what impact does this have on public perception?
- Balthazar's work highlights the human cost of climate change, contrasting the legal battle against Shell with the individual tragedy depicted in "For Rosa". He cites Stalin's quote, "The death of one man is a tragedy, the death of millions is a statistic," to emphasize the disconnect between large-scale climate impacts and individual emotional response. The Australian study indicating 5 million annual deaths due to climate change underscores this point.
- What are the key legal and human consequences revealed in Balthazar's work on climate change litigation and the human impact of the climate crisis?
- Nic Balthazar, a filmmaker, author, journalist, and climate activist, has shifted from a travel journalist who frequently flew to a climate justice advocate. He presented his documentary "Duty of Care" and a play, "For Rosa", at ECca 2025, a climate adaptation conference in Rimini. "Duty of Care" follows the lawsuit against Shell for violating its "duty of care" regarding climate damage, while "For Rosa" dramatizes the death of a young climate activist.
- What are the long-term implications of the legal precedents set by climate litigation cases, such as the Shell case, and what additional strategies are needed to effectively combat climate change?
- The legal challenges to Shell and the innovative approach of granting legal personhood to ecosystems, like Spain's Mar Menor, represent new strategies in climate action. While the Shell case saw a partial reversal on appeal, the core principle of corporate responsibility remains. However, Shell's continued expansion of fossil fuel projects despite the ruling highlights the urgent need for systemic change and stronger legal frameworks.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article frames the climate crisis through the lens of Nic Balthazar's personal journey and his work, which may unintentionally give undue emphasis to legal battles and individual stories over other aspects of climate action. The headline (if there was one) and introduction likely emphasize Balthazar's unique perspective and his work, shaping the reader's perception of the multifaceted nature of climate action.
Language Bias
The article uses strong emotionally charged language such as "straziante" (heart-wrenching), "incredibile" (incredible), and "catastrofismo" (catastrophism) which could influence the reader's perception of the climate crisis. While these words add to the storytelling, more neutral alternatives could be considered in certain instances for balanced reporting. For instance, "significant" instead of "straziante".
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on Nic Balthazar's perspective and the Shell climate lawsuit, potentially omitting other significant climate litigation cases or diverse viewpoints on climate activism strategies. While the inclusion of the statistic about climate change-related deaths is impactful, the article doesn't delve into the methodologies or potential biases in that specific study. Further, the article may unintentionally downplay the complexities of climate change by focusing on individual actions, neglecting the role of systemic and policy changes.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a somewhat simplistic dichotomy between individual actions (e.g., eating meat, flying) and large-scale systemic change. While personal responsibility is mentioned, the solutions discussed tend to be more focused on large-scale legal actions and systemic shifts, potentially neglecting the role of individual actions in a holistic approach.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article highlights climate litigation, emphasizing the legal fight against Shell for violating its "duty of care" in protecting citizens from climate damage. It also showcases the human stories behind climate change impacts, using the example of a young climate activist who died, to connect with audiences on an emotional level. Furthermore, the article discusses innovative legal approaches like giving legal personality to ecosystems and the importance of shifting away from catastrophic messaging to inspire action. All these aspects directly contribute to climate action.