Canada’s national nuclear laboratory to present David Schumacher’s new documentary in national capital region, encouraging viewers to rethink the role of nuclear in the fight against climate change
Chalk River, ON, March 26, 2018 – Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL), Canada’s premier nuclear science and technology organization, announced today that it will present two screenings of Emmy award-winning director David Schumacher’s new documentary ‘The New Fire’ in the national capital region next month. Filmed across four continents over the course of 22 months, The New Fire follows a group of young engineers and entrepreneurs who are developing advanced nuclear technology while working to overcome longstanding societal perceptions about nuclear energy and the role it will play in combatting global climate change.
The film will make its Ottawa premiere at Library and Archives Canada on Thursday, April 26, featuring a panel discussion with Mr. Schumacher and CNL’s President and CEO, Mark Lesinski. CNL is also showing the film in its host community, Deep River, on Thursday, April 25.
“CNL is proud to welcome Mr. Schumacher and to help make this movie available to a Canadian audience, because it challenges people’s underlying beliefs about nuclear science and technology,” commented Mark Lesinski. “Unfortunately, there are historical misconceptions about nuclear energy that are pervasive in society, and have eroded people’s trust in a form of energy that is critical in the fight against climate change. It is our hope that viewers watch this movie with an open mind, and can appreciate why the young entrepreneurs featured in this film are pursuing next-generation nuclear technology to tackle these global challenges.”
An independent film, The New Fire introduces audiences to young nuclear engineers from two nuclear start-up companies, Transatomic and Oklo, who are developing nuclear reactors that they hope will provide clean and safe solutions to the world’s future energy needs. Leslie Dewan and Mark Massie are students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) that founded Transatomic to design an advanced reactor that is safer, cleaner and cheaper than today’s reactors. In Silicon Valley, Oklo founders Caroline Cochran and Jacob DeWitte are developing a micro reactor for off-grid and other special applications where, today, diesel is the only option. Both teams are supported by nuclear advocates from all over the globe.
The New Fire also follows activist Eric Meyer at the COP 21 Paris Climate Conference as he uses his own special talents to educate Parisians. Also in Paris, renowned climate scientist James Hansen makes the case for nuclear with a team of his colleagues. Hansen travels on to China, where he’s organized an unprecedented and controversial meeting between U.S. and Chinese climate and nuclear experts. Back in the United States, Bill Gates puts his entrepreneurial and philanthropic muscle behind TerraPower, a company he co-founded to bring affordable clean energy to developing countries.
Provocative and startlingly positive, The New Fire focuses on how the generation that faces the most severe impacts of climate change is fighting back with ingenuity and hope.
“This isn’t a film about politics, or about how much damage we’ve already done, or pointing fingers at who is to blame. This is a film about a path forward, to show audiences that there is a technological solution – one that may surprise them,” commented Mr. Schumacher in promoting the film. “I want audiences to come away from The New Fire with a new perspective about a technology they may have dismissed until now. And new sense of mission to try and save our planet before it’s too late.”
Tickets are available free of charge via CNL’s website at www.cnl.ca/thenewfire for both the Ottawa and Deep River screenings.
| Ottawa Screening – The New Fire | |
| Date: | Thursday, April 26, 2018 |
| Location: | Library and Archives Canada, 395 Wellington Street |
| Schedule: | 5:30 pm: Panel discussion featuring director, David Schumacher |
| 6:30 pm: The New Fire screening | |
| Deep River Screening – The New Fire | |
| Date: | Wednesday, April 25, 2018 |
| Location: | Childs Auditorium, Mackenzie Community School, 2 Brockhouse Way |
| Schedule: | 6:30 pm: The New Fire screening |
| 8:00 pm: Panel discussion featuring director, David Schumacher | |
For more information on The New Fire, including alternate screening dates and locations, please visit www.newfiremovie.com. More information on CNL can be found at www.cnl.ca.
About CNL
Canadian Nuclear Laboratories is a world leader in nuclear science and technology offering unique capabilities and solutions across a wide range of industries. Actively involved with industry-driven research and development in nuclear, transportation, clean technology, energy, defence, security and life sciences, we provide solutions to keep these sectors competitive internationally.
With ongoing investments in new facilities and a focused mandate, Canadian Nuclear Laboratories is well positioned for the future. A new performance standard reinforced with a strong safety culture underscores every activity.
For more information on the complete range of Canadian Nuclear Laboratories services, please visit www.cnl.ca or contact [email protected].
-30-
Contact:
Philip Kompass
Section Head, Corporate Communications
CNL, 1-866-886-2325
