This new documentary explores climate change in Kansas. Here's how to watch it
A new documentary is highlighting the ins and outs of climate change in Kansas.
"Hot Times in the Heartland" is a new feature-length documentary, produced by David Kendall. Alongside Kendall in production is Rex Buchanan, director emeritus of the Kansas Geological Survey, and Prairie Hills-based artist Laura Mead.
Kendall is the former host of the television series "Sunflower Journeys." He said focusing on climate change for the film was something he knew had to be done.
"I just couldn't see anything that's more important to focus on than what's happening with the climate. And one way that I could focus on was just to look at the local situation," Kendall told The Capital-Journal.
"I mean, it's a planetary phenomenon, but it has local implications and there's ways that we can address it locally and also help get people prepared to deal with it on a local basis."
Wide range of professionals will provide insight into climate change
The program explores a range of activities taking place primarily within the Kaw Valley of Kansas and the metropolitan Kansas City area, a news release said.
It spotlights individuals and organizations directly involved with research and implementation of approaches, designed to mitigate the impact of climate change and to help communities develop more resilience, the release said.
"They're people representing different professions and expertise," Kendall said.
"We have scientists like that to set the stage," he said. "We have psychologists that talk about this climate anxiety and the impact it has on people."
Right Rev. Cathleen Bascom, Episcopal Bishop of Kansas, will provide welcoming remarks at the program premiere. Bascom is among 20 participants who are featured in the documentary, Kendall said. Along with Bascom, former Kansas governor and U.S. Health and Human Services secretary Kathleen Sebelius will be featured in the documentary, too.
"She talks a little bit about the transition into renewable energy and the challenges the state faced during her administration about 15 years ago or so, when there were proposals to build a coal-fired power plant in western Kansas and what that would've meant if it went forward," Kendall said.
"And we have other people that are trying to implement plans on how to prepare communities to deal with the impact — and to not only mitigate the impact of climate change, but also to bounce back when severe weather hits."
More: How Sharice Davids' proposed federal water storage change could save Kansas $41 million
Where can you watch 'Hot Times in the Heartland'?
You can watch the documentary's premiere at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 25. "Hot Times in the Heartland" will premiere with a public screening at Grace Cathedral inside the All Saint Hall.
The premiere is free of charge.
The film is two hours long but will be cut in half for Sunday's premiere to hold an open discussion among the producers, participants and audience.
More public screenings will be held across Kansas, including at Liberty Hall in Lawrence, Johnson County Community College in Overland Park and Forum Hall at the Kansas State University Student Union in Manhattan.
The documentary will broadcast on television in Topeka at 7:30 p.m. April 18 and 2:30 p.m. April 21 on KTWU, channel 11.
For further dates and times of public screenings and broadcasts, visit www.prairiehollow.net.
Keishera Lately is the business reporter for the Topeka Capital-Journal. She can be reached at klately@cjonline.com. Follow her on Twitter @Lately_KT.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: 'Hot Times in the Heartland' explores climate change in Kansas
