The Society screened the independent film Age of Stupid in Caernarfon on March 31st.

The Age of Stupid, released in 2009, became one of the most talked-about films of the year. Pete Postlethwaite stars as a man living alone in the devastated future world of 2055, looking at old footage from 2008 and asking: why didn’t we stop climate change when we had the chance?

This must-see film was free to members and we held a raffle following the screening to raise funds for the Society.

Unfortunately the unusually poor weather in Snowdonia for this time of year meant that some people were unable to make it to the screening - ironically, perhaps, as one of the issues covered by the film was the increase in the occurrence of extreme weather events as a result of anthropogenic global warming.

The film has also been shown by a number of other voluntary and charitable organisations in North Wales thanks to generous funding from WCVA and the Welsh Assembly Government - a large number of people in the region have thus had the chance to see this bold film which calls for a fundamental change in our lifestyles and attitudes.

If you know someone who hasn't yet seen it - spread the word!

Although many people will not agree 100% with all the ideas portrayed by the film (which are sometimes controversial), what is most important is that it does actually raise these issues. Whether we agree or not, it makes us think about facts and figures that many people prefer to ignore, as the moral questions raised can be very uncomfortable.

Three ideas really stayed with me at the end of the film - the first being that we should leave the world in a better place than we found it. The second is that here in Wales we are in the privileged position of having everything we need - and yet we continue to consume more and more, even though increased consumption has not been seen to increase happiness. Finally, the main character suggests that although we know how to profit from the world, we do not appear to know how to protect it.

The fundamental principle of the Snowdonia Society is to protect and enhance Snowdonia for the enjoyment of all, now and in the future. Not only have we benefited from and enjoyed Snowdonia as it is now, we also hope to ensure it remains to be enjoyed for many generations to come.

I hope that you will watch the film and be inspired, not only to protect Snowdonia, but also the rest of our planet, along with all the diverse and beautiful life it sustains.