The White House Effect
The White House Effect is a 2024 documentary film directed by Pedro Kos, Jon Shenk and Bonni Cohen, revolving around President George H. W. Bush's attempts at climate change.[1]
Synopsis
Using exclusively[2][3] archival footage,[4] it investigates the role played by the administration enacting policies to reduce global warming[5] alongside the battle between environmentalist turned Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency William K. Reilly in odds with Bush Sr.'s chief of staff John H. Sununu.[6][7][8]
Accolades
One of four finalists of the Library of Congress Lavine/Ken Burns Prize for Film, The White House Effect, received $25,000.[9]
People featured in the film
- Belinda Carlisle (whose song "Heaven is a Place on Earth" played at the beginning of the film)[10]
- Jimmy Carter
- Ronald Reagan
- Stephen Schneider
- William K. Reilly
- John H. Sununu
- Dan Rather
- Al Gore
- Dana Carvey
- Alex Trebek
- Tom Brokaw
- Ted Koppel
- Rush Limbaugh
- Peter Jennings
- Saddam Hussien
See also
- Koyaanisqatsi - cult 1982 experimental documentary featured in the film
- MTV - also featured in the film
- Exxon Valdez oil spill
References
- ^ Morfoot, Addie (August 31, 2024). "Telluride Doc 'The White House Effect' Reveals How George H.W. Bush Administration Deliberately Destroyed an Opportunity to Stop Climate Change". Variety. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
- ^ Harvey, Dennis (31 August 2024). "'The White House Effect' Review: How the U.S. Government's Global Warming Fight Went Cold". Variety. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
- ^ Morfoot, Addie (19 August 2024). "Camden International Film Festival Unveils Politically Packed 2024 Lineup (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety.com. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
- ^ At Telluride Film Festival, politics take center stage - Los Angeles Times
- ^ 'The White House Effect' documentary dives into history of global warming - NBC Bay Area on YouTube
- ^ MUBI
- ^ At Netflix, Documentaries Still Have a Home as Streamer Picks Up Six Features — Exclusive|IndieWire
- ^ Telluride FIlm Festival 2024: Memoir of a Snail, Better Man, The White House Effect|Roger Ebert.com
- ^ Morfoot, Addie (22 October 2025). "Luis Valdez Doc Garners the $200,000 Library of Congress Lavine/Ken Burns Prize". Variety. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
- ^ 'The White House Effect' Review: Climate Change Governmental Response Receives An Effective Doc Treatment (Telluride) - The Playlist