Can a Message From Malawi Change a Wisconsin Farmer’s Mind?
How do you change someone’s mind about the most important thing in the world?
Anita Chitaya is a farmer, activist, and leader in Malawi. In her community she sees daily the dangers of climate change, including drought and dying crops. She travels to the U.S. with her mentor, Esther Lupafya, and a filmmaking team in hopes of convincing Americans that climate change is real.
In this episode, Anita and Esther meet with farmers in Wisconsin. One young farmhand, Jordan Jamison, expresses his doubts about climate change: “It’s all going to end someday, and we’re not in control of it.” Is it possible that one day of open conversation could change someone’s perspective?
This is the first episode of the five-part “The Ants & the Grasshopper: The Series,” a co-production of Kartemquin Educational Films and Peril and Promise, a public media initiative from The WNET Group.
See all episodes and more on our website here.
Watch the series on YouTube.
In celebration of Earth Day, this episode was featured in a PBS-curated video playlist about climate science, nature, and conservation.
To learn about the documentary feature film that “The Ants & the Grasshopper: The Series” is based on, click here.
Major funding for Peril and Promise is provided by Dr. P. Roy Vagelos and Diana T. Vagelos with additional funding from Sue and Edgar Wachenheim III, and the Estate of Worthington Mayo-Smith.
