Let’s Get Talking!

Many films about water are being made all around the world. Using these films to spark debate, Let’s Talk About Water is an event team available for university campuses and other community settings, to create a neutral space for spirited discussion of problems and solutions about water.

Linda Lilienfeld, with 35 years of film and television research experience in history and science, is the Project Coordinator of Let’s Talk About Water.

Why does Let’s Talk About Water exist?

I believe in the power of film to make people think, feel and understand.

I believe in the importance of water. It knits us and the physical world all together. We must learn to talk together beyond the boundaries of our normal lives. The efforts and knowledge of water scientists must be made more accessible to a wider public.

I believe in the power of film to make this happen. Let’s talk about water! [Learn more about Linda]

The whole idea behind Let’s Talk About Water is to get scientists to talk more simply to students — and the public in general — about what is happening in the natural world –– water in particular. We’ve created the Let’s Talk About Water formula to use film to engage an audience, to create a teachable moment. We will review subjects such as access to water, pollution, flooding, conservation, drought, and other issues as well as impacts of global warming. We follow film viewings with a fun and lively discussion using simple language that’s informative. We also include an opportunity to talk about careers in water science.

CUAHSI—The Consortium of Universities for the Advancement of Hydrologic Science, Inc.—has partnered with us to serve as the technical support. They will provide expertise to localize the event, identify problems and solutions, and create the panel discussions that enliven the debate. [Visit www.cuahsi.org]