Michael Moore's Planet of the Humans - fact, fiction & the future

Michael Moore's Planet of the Humans - fact, fiction & the future

By Ranting Panda, 17 May 2020

American filmmaker, Michael Moore, has produced another controversial documentary. This one is called Planet of the Humans. Jeff Gibbs provides the dulcet narration.

The film makes several claims which have angered environmentalists and warmed the cockles of right-wing hearts across the globe. Many of those claims are false or misrepresentations. However, Moore also makes a number of claims which are spot on, but which his new-found friends of the right-wing conveniently ignore.

In summary, Moore claims that renewable energy, particularly solar, wind and biomass, are as damaging for the environment as coal-fired energy generation. He does make some good points, particularly around mining practices and slavery, as well as the fact that humans cannot continue exploiting the world's non-renewable resources. He correctly points out that current attempts by governments and industrialists to introduce renewable energy is aimed at continuing unsustainable and exploitative production practices in the name of consumerism and capitalism. However, much of his claims about the environmental costs of renewable energy are either false, reference old technology or lack consideration of life-cycle assessment.

Ronnie Brakels has provided an excellent critique of Moore's claim that renewables are as damaging as fossil fuels, by stating that it is tantamount to claiming that bicycles are as bad for the environment as cars (Brakel 2020). After all, bicycles are manufactured using coal, iron ore and environmentally damaging mining and production processes; bikes can only be ridden on sunny days for relatively short distances, so riders will often have a car as a back-up form of transport; and the people who ride bikes need food, which causes environmental damage through agricultural practices. Even the most sceptical anti-environmentalist would find it difficult to seriously argue that bikes are as environmentally damaging as cars, or that they produce as much pollution. Yet, this is the nature of Moore's claim when he states that renewable technologies consume iron ore and coal, and that they require existing electricity grids to supplement their usage on cloudy days.

Moore misses the point that while fossil fuels and mining may be involved in the production of renewable energy products, such as solar panels, wind turbines, and electric vehicles, once they are in operation their consumption of fossil fuels is negligible compared to the operation of coal fired power plants and fossil-fuel powered cars; not dissimilar to the push-bike example provided by Brakels.

The key thing lacking in Michael Moore's argument is Life-cycle Assessment (LCA), which is a cradle-to-grave analysis of the environmental impact of a product. At its most basic, LCA calculates how much carbon is produced in the manufacture and operation of a product with the amount of carbon removed or offset by the product. Moore embraces the climate change denialist rationale that all green technology is claimed to be carbon-free, while failing to understand the basic concept of carbon neutral or carbon negative. That is, that green technology is not carbon free, but that the carbon dioxide emitted in its production and operation is much less than the carbon removed or offset by the product or the carbon-free energy generated over the life of the product, thus reducing the amount of electricity required to be produced by coal-fired power stations.

Moore makes the outdated claim that the energy generated by solar panels over their life-time does not cover the energy taken to produce them in the first place. He also argues that solar panels have a life expectancy of 10 years. Both of these claims are false. Solar panels have a life expectancy of up to 30 years, with an energy payback period of two years (Parkinson 2013). So it takes two years for a solar panel to recoup the energy taken to produce it, while then generating at least another 28 years of clean energy without further consumption of coal. How can that possibly be as bad as a coal-fired power plant that continues consuming coal and producing dirty energy for those 28 years? Many solar panel manufacturers offer 25 year warranties (Energy Informative n.d.). Even after 25 years, the panels' output is around 80% (Stahley 2019).

Solar panel payback period, life expectancy and energy output (Adapted from Parkinson 2013)

Moore tries to justify his inaccurate claims by highlighting a couple of concerts that promoted sustainability, yet ended up being powered by the coal-generated electricity grid. He seems to not grasp the concept that at this point, solar and wind are not yet capable of completely replacing coal-fired power stations ... but we are getting there. Moore has this short-sighted view that renewables will not replace coal, that they are always going to be dependent on coal for meeting demand. This is not true. Many countries and states are increasingly utilising renewable energy for electricity generation and greatly reducing their reliance on fossil fuels. Many countries have committed to 100% renewable energy for electricity generation by 2050, including Costa Rica, Denmark, Bangladesh, Kenya, Philippines, Portugal, Sri Lanka and Sweden (REN21 2019, pp 194-196). Scotland has achieved 98% use of renewables through wind power, while Uruguay is almost at 100% renewables, and Denmark is generating more than half its electricity from renewables (Climate Council 2019).

Raconteur (2018)

One thing of crucial importance that Moore did identify, was the matter of unethical mining practices. The world is currently experiencing more people in slavery that at any time in history, with more than 40 million people in slavery and more than 150 million exploited through child labour (International Labour Organization 2017). Moore's documentary does show that mining is an industry that has significant levels of slavery in it. This is an issue that must be addressed regardless of whether the products manufactured from it are solar panels, components in coal-fired power stations, batteries, cars or mobile phones. Every supply chain is at risk of modern slavery and there are efforts underway to address this.

Moore does make a good point about bio-mass, however, not all bio-mass comes from living trees; some of it is from waste wood that is decaying and therefore, releasing carbon anyway. Nonetheless, wood chipping forests as a form of renewable energy is not sustainable, as plants and forests absorb carbon. While biomass is not an acceptable form of renewable energy, Moore's focus on it blows it way out of proportion. In 2019, biomass accounted for 1% of the United States energy mix and 5% of Europe's energy mix (Yale Climate Connections 2020). If the world wishes to continue using biomass and biogas, it can be done far more efficiently with less environmental damage, through the use of hemp. This is a crop that is fast growing, requires less land, causes less environmental damage and yields up to 120% more energy than other forms of biomass (Prade et al 2011).

For all of its hyperbole, the doco provides little in the way of alternative solutions. In relation to energy alternatives, it seems to suggest continuing the use of fossil fuels. The world is being destroyed by the use of unsustainable fossil fuels, and Moore appears to advocate for continuing these practices.

One thing that Moore does get right is the need to reduce consumption. Capitalist economies are driven by consumerism, at the expense of other people and the environment. Slavery is the worst it has ever been as capitalists pursue excessive profits at the expense of the world's most vulnerable, through ever-increasing consumerism that is driven by greed for unnecessary products designed for short life expectancy through obsolence or perceived obsolence.

By the year 2000, consumption of iron ore had increased more than 1000% over the previous 100 years. In the first, 20 years of the 21st century, it increased a further 2000% (Callier 2018). During this time, carbon dioxide emissions have increased by 1500%, while water use, coal production and crop harvests increased between 500% and 1000%. These increases are unprecedented in history. Apart from increasing waste and environmental degradation, the dramatic increase in demand for raw materials is likely to result in resource scarcity, resulting in conflict and war (Callier 2018).

Callier (2018)

Some may see the documentary as championing fossil fuels, discrediting renewable technology and
justifying climate change denialism. However, the documentary's criticism of unfettered consumerism demonstrates the need for the planned international economy envisioned by Karl Marx. Our modern society has more knowledge of people's needs than ever before. Big data combined with artificial intelligence can be used to forecast production requirements to address everyone's needs and temper excess consumption. Robotics and additive manufacturing can produce those requirements efficiently using green technology. While robotics and additive manufacturing could cost jobs, ultimately, people will not need to work in such a world where their needs are forecast and met. This will fulfil another of Marx's ideas around a planned economy not requiring money. Yes, we could provide everyone a minimum living wage, however, this would just be a step on the path to doing away with money altogether. Why have money when our needs are already met through the power of big data, AI and robotics.

Moore states that renewable technology will not save the world. He is correct: renewable energy alone will not save the world, however, renewables must replace fossil fuels and be coupled with managing demand and reducing excessive consumption to ensure that the world remains liveable for future generations.

The world cannot continue exploiting people or the environment. It cannot continue using fossil fuels, which are limited resources, damage the environment and drive climate change through carbon emissions. The documentary may have been music to the ears of industrialists, climate change denialists and fossil fuel warriors, however, the puerile claim that renewable energy is as environmentally damaging as fossil fuels is naive and ignorant.

The world must continue developing and improving renewable technology to reduce social and environmental impacts, while society needs to reduce demand for unnecessary products that drive environmental degradation through their production and waste. At the same time, we must address abusive labour practices, in which more than 40 million people are in modern slavery, more than 150 million in child labor, and millions more exploited for low wages and horrendous working conditions.

References

Brakel, R 2020, 'Michael Moore attacks renewable industry by detonating his own credibility', Solarquotes Blog, 1 May, viewed 3 May 2020, https://www.solarquotes.com.au/blog/planet-of-humans-review/.

Callier, V 2018, 'The quickening pace of global metabolism', Knowable Magazine, 29 June, viewed 16 May 2020, https://www.knowablemagazine.org/article/sustainability/2018/quickening-pace-global-metabolism.

Climate Council 2019, '11 countries leading the charge on renewable energy', 13 January, viewed 11 May 2020, https://www.climatecouncil.org.au/11-countries-leading-the-charge-on-renewable-energy/.

Energy Informative n.d., 'The real lifespan of solar panels', viewed 16 May 2020, https://energyinformative.org/lifespan-solar-panels/.

International Labour Organization 2017, '40 million in modern slavery and 152 million in child labour around the world', 19 November, viewed 4 May 2020, https://www.ilo.org/global/about-the-ilo/newsroom/news/WCMS_574717/lang--en/index.htm.

Parkinson, G 2013, 'Graph of the Day: Myth of solar PV energy payback time', Renew Economy, 15 March, viewed 10 May 2020, https://reneweconomy.com.au/graph-of-the-day-myth-of-solar-pv-energy-payback-time-22167/.

Prade, T, Svensson, S, Andersson, A, Mattsson, JE 2011, 'Biomass and energy yield of industrial hemp grown for biogas and solid fuel', ScienceDirect, Biomass and bioenergy vol 35 (2011) 3040 e3049, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/251627798_Biomass_and_energy_yield_of_industrial_hemp_grown_for_biogas_and_solid_fuel/link/5ac3287aaca27222c75d317a/download.

Raconteur 2018, 'Energy Transition', Raconteur, viewed 16 May 2020, https://res.cloudinary.com/yumyoshojin/image/upload/v1/pdf/responsible-business-2018.pdf.

REN21 2019, 'Renewables 2019 - Global Status Report', viewed 11 May 2020, https://www.ren21.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/gsr_2019_full_report_en.pdf.

Stahley, B 2019, 'Commercial solar panel degradation: What you should know and keep in mind', Sunpower, 1 August, viewed 16 May 2020, https://businessfeed.sunpower.com/articles/what-to-know-about-commercial-solar-panel-degradation.

Yale Climate Connections 2020, 'Michael Moore's 'Planet of the Humans' documentary attacks climate solutions', Ecowatch, 1 May, viewed 3 May 2020, https://www.ecowatch.com/michael-moore-climate-denial-2645892109.html.