One message that becomes shockingly clear in "The 11th Hour," Leonardo diCaprio's feature length documentary released in theaters nationwide on August 24, is the fragility of the human species.

Despite the arguments by some stubborn politicians and corporate leaders who cling to their denial of the existence of global warming, it is all too evident -- after spending 90 minutes witnessing the consequences of harrowing natural disasters and hearing the wakeup call from many of the world's top scientists --  that we that live in an enormously challenging time.

"The 11th Hour" is not a movie to be enjoyed. It's compelling and sobering in its description of the devastating effect of human industry on the planet.

"The environment is going to survive," says Kenny Ausubel, founder of the environmental, non-profit organization dedicated to disseminating solutions for restoring our ecosystem, in the film. "We're the ones who may not survive."

Using the testimony from prominent business leaders, environmentalists, scientists, economists, reformers and activists, including physicist Stephen Hawking, Nobel Prize winner Wangari Maathai and holistic health care pioneer Dr. Andrew Weil, "The 11th Hour" documents the grave problems that face the planet's life systems. The intelligent and provocative meeting of minds is compelling and disturbing.

Global warming, deforestation, mass species extinction, and depletion of the oceans' habitats are addressed. "What we saw in Katrina is just a prologue," says Ray Anderson, an industrial engineer who leads a worldwide effort to pioneer the processes of sustainable development. "The earth is hurting and humans have not figured out how to change their ways."

Linking the dots
Dramatic shots of polluted landscapes are interspersed with interviews of environmental experts who offer their perspective on what humans can do to reverse environmental damage, as well as what the outcome will be if no action is taken. The message from many is that while humans may be too weak to destroy hardy planet Earth, their actions may ruin the environment they need to survive.

The message is not new, but the film backs it up with a wealth of compelling evidence and arguments. Directors Nadia Conners and Leila Conners Petersen connect the dots among environmental crises too often discussed as isolated issues and propose that we stop treating the planet simply as property to be exploited.

The Rev. James Parks Morton, former dean of New York's Cathedral of St. John the Divine and a founder of the National Religious Partnership for the Environment, contributes a theological perspective to the issue, although the film lacks adequate representation from both faith leaders and women.

Not all is lost, however. Gratifyingly, attention is given to the important steps society is now taking to reduce it dependency on fossil fuels by embracing solar heating, wind energy and the use of renewable resources.

"We can recognize that we can offset the future by what we do today," says David Suzuki, an award-winning scientist, environmentalist and broadcaster whose Canadian radio and television programs explain the complexities of the natural sciences in a popular, compelling way.

Others offer hope and solutions. Scientists and environmental advocates, such as David Orr and Gloria Flora, paint a portrait for a radically new and exciting future in which humanity seeks not to dominate the earth's life systems, but to live in harmony with them.

"The 11th Hour" calls for a future now within our grasp that is both sustainable
and healthier.

The directors, who are sisters, say they made the film as call to action, especially to young people. "They are the ones who have the power to reshape the future," they say.

Further information about the movie, the experts and how to effect change, is available here. The filmmakers have partnered with the EathLab for the 11th Hour Challenge, an initiative to get 1 million people to reduce their environmental impact by 10 percent by the end of 2007.