Fuel

Both of these affordable films address concerns about U.S. energy consumption. Crude spotlights the environmental price being paid elsewhere for oil exploration, while Fuel examines possible ways to shift the U.S. focus onto sustainable energy sources. Crude lays out the background of a 14-year class-action suit in which Texaco, now owned by Chevron, is accused of contaminating remote swamps and rivers in Ecuador, leading to illness and deaths affecting 30,000 inhabitants. A camera crew follows lawyers Steven Danziger and Pablo Fajaro of the nonprofit Amazon Watch as they battle Chevron's legal team. Extras include interviews and a resource guide. Spanish subtitles are available. The lawsuit is ongoing. Fuel recounts director Tickell's own ecological activities, notably touring the United States in a "veggie van" powered by used grease from fast food outlets. Tickell believes oil companies control the federal government and points to the vast amounts of money spent on military security in the Middle East as evidence. He contends there were huge oil spills in Louisiana during Hurricane Katrina that were never reported in the mainstream media. Prominent experts and activists give brief opinions about how the nation can get off its oil addiction. Tickell mainly promotes biodiesel fuel, now with algae as a sustainable source. Mention is made of alternative energy and conservation to reduce U.S. oil use, but mass political engagement is also required. Extras include more information on bio-diesel, plug-in hybrid vehicles, and energy efficiency. Both of these productions are packed with information, but Crude is the more focused film. For adults with a strong interest in clean energy.-David R. Conn, Surrey P.L., BC (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.