In what can be considered a truly global event about a global issue, Friends of the Earth Malta and St. James Cavalier hosted the age of stupid, a new epic from McLibel director Franny Armstrong. In a cinema filled to capacity, viewers at St James joined another million viewers in 63 countries to watch the global premier of what has been cited as one of the most important films of our time.

Oscar-nominated Pete Postlethwaite stars as a man living alone in the devastated world of 2055, looking at old footage from 2008 and asking: why didn’t we stop climate change when we had the chance?The event also made room for live music from Radiohead’s Thom Yorke and satellite linkups to melting glaciers and withering rainforests. Following the movie screening, a panel discussion including former un general secretary Kofi Annan, actor Gillian Anderson and the former Irish president Mary Robinson contributed their reaction.

Much hangs in the balance in the next few months, both with us climate policy and worldwide commitment in Copenhagen. Throughout the discussion there was a strong and consistent call for serious lifestyle change and economic retooling in the west as a matter of self preservation and social justice. The war on climate change was likened to other wars which humanity has faced ranging from the battle against racism to sexism, and several speakers emphasised the power of ordinary citizens to change the world through their behaviour and through pressure on leaders. In the words of Kofi Annan “leaders will follow”.

This was then followed by a Q&A session chaired by Marie Briguglio. The panel included Hon. Minister George Pullicino, Hon. Leo Brincat labour spokesperson for environment, and Mr. Ralph Cassar on behalf of Alternativa Demokratika.