Carbon Rush

Director Amy Miller explores the dark side of carbon offsets.

There are more than 5,000 carbon-offset projects registered by the United Nations and funded by multinational companies that try to compensate for their environmental impacts. Director Amy Miller details how eucalyptus plantations, hydroelectric dams and other projects in developing countries can violate basic human rights, cause further ecological damage and devastate the lives of underprivileged indigenous people, who often aren’t consulted about offset concepts on their land.

There are more than 5,000 carbon-offset projects registered by the United Nations and funded by multinational companies that try to compensate for their environmental impacts. Director Amy Miller details how eucalyptus plantations, hydroelectric dams and other projects in developing countries can violate basic human rights, cause further ecological damage and devastate the lives of underprivileged indigenous people, who often aren’t consulted about offset concepts on their land.

The Carbon Rush, directed by Amy Miller, Canada: Kinosmith, 84 minutes

This documentary was included in our Around the World in 10 Docs map feature in the 2nd annual Art & Media issue in 2013. Read a full review in the 2014 Art & Media issue, or a review of the book.

Reviewer Information

Semini is a graduate of the Environment and Resource Studies program at the University of Waterloo and a former A\J editorial intern.