Sample Student Reactions
Sample student reactions
“The culmination of music, art, and poetry is a beautiful combination that I believe achieves its purpose in promoting awareness of climate change. First the symphony achieves this in its overall expressive representation of how amazing our planet is; the visual elements support this exactly just by showing us this beauty. However, we are also shown the industrial and destructive aspects of human expansion, a reminder of what is at stake. I myself am reminded that I have also been an unintended contributor to the harmful effects on our environment. Here we live in a society that provides humans with so many amenities, so much that we forget our connection with nature itself. As a result, I feel many of us have become desensitized to this danger that we have put ourselves and our environment in. Should we aim to make changes to rekindle that connection with our environment—I say that we must act now and swiftly for it may be too late to undo the damage that has been done.”
– William B., senior, Biomedical sciences
“I appreciated Terra Nostra so much, because it took a call to action, and brought these serious and relevant issues into the light for listeners to be reminded, if not, learn.”
– Anuvir D., sophomore, pre-major
“I’ve always felt rather strongly about climate change. However, viewing this piece has led to some important realizations. Though I am just one person, I can still use my skills to impart change on this slowly decaying world akin to how Chagnard used his musical abilities to play his part. I’m going into the web development industry in which I’ve already crafted several sites. The web is a central source for how people receive information across the globe. Despite not going into a position that would be directly combating climate change at its source (legislation), I – like Chagnard – can still play my part by spreading the message. I don’t think I’d be able to live with myself if I didn’t at least make an effort to instill change.”
– Kenyon H., sophomore, pre-major
“As a senior majoring in Environmental Science, this piece was absolutely moving and brought up many personal emotions. To think about there being people in the world that don’t know, understand, or even believe that climate change is happening so quickly and dangerously for us and future generations is really just crazy and very scary. I believe that if it became as big of an issue or better yet a trend to today’s youth to try and stop climate change that leads into sea levels rising, extinctions of species being at a rate that’s 100 times faster than ever before than maybe some real change can happen, so the fact that Terra Nostra has helped raised so much awareness in such a beautiful and enticing way really brings a little peace to my heart and inspiration to keep this ride of my own going.”
– Alyssa J., senior, environmental science
“Climate change is a heavy topic and some people like me might not understand what climate change really is. Terra Nostra has inspired me to do research on climate change to get a full understanding of what climate change is and how I can be a beneficiary to the matter. Overall, I think Terra Nostra is an amazing work and makes me want to do better.”
– Waylon S., junior, social welfare
“Looking at this film I am inspired to look into what different professions are doing about
climate change. I think it is fascinating how music and other arts are so versatile in that you are able to put two or more forms together to make an even more meaningful statement about life.”
– Clive W., junior, pre-major
“I think that using classical music to spread awareness about global problems isn’t just smart, it’s way more expressive. Using these different instruments that are some of the oldest in the world and connecting them to the origins of the world is integral to this video masterpiece.”
— Oleg C., senior, Business Administration
“It was pretty intense to watch, because it definitely put into perspective the harm, chaos, and destruction humans have caused. We’ve all seen climate change documentaries, thought about them for a day or two, and then forgot about it and moved on. This piece, in my opinion, was more impactful and will have a longer lasting effect because of how it was presented.”
— Madeline F., senior, Psychology
“While watching the film Terra Nostra it seemed more impactful even without words than an average film spewing facts at you. This seems as though it is supposed to grasp the viewer’s attention in an artistic and emotional way than most climate films/videos.”
–Perris N., senior, Arts, Media, and Culture
“Climate change was already something that I care deeply about, and I try to reduce my environmental impact in every way I can. But I still found this work to be very inspirational! Sometimes things can feel like we are fighting a losing battle, so it made me happy that the final movement was uplifting, showing the positive strides that have been made and indicating there is hope for the future still.”
–Meaghan M., senior, Biomedical Sciences
“Listening was a reminder for me of just how serious this issue is, and that I play a role in it as a human. Thus, it has reminded me of my own responsibilities and what I owe to this planet. I think that this piece is very effective in inspiring action in the audiences that it has been presented to, including us in this class. It seems to have the power to awaken a sense of responsibility in anyone.”
–Ciara R., senior, Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences
“When listening to Terra Nostra I was blown away. After listening to this piece, I feel a sense of duty to help preserve the earth in any way that I can. I feel that the piece is very effective in achieving its goal because it helps create dialogue for those who don’t know the effects of climate change.”
–Rohit A., senior, Business Administration
“Terra Nostra definitely changed the way I perceive climate change. I have already had deep concerns about the situation at hand, but these concerns felt far away and easily ignorable. This film forced me to sit with the emotions that come with seeing the most vulnerable victim to climate change apart from humans: nature itself.”
– Genesis G., senior, Communications
“Terra Nostra was the most creative and unique way I have seen climate change and environmental awareness presented. I was blown away by the depth of the piece and its visuals.”
– Elizabeth F., junior, undeclared major
“I have always had real concerns about climate change but after watching and listening to Terra Nostra, I was reminded once again why climate change is such an important and huge issue that everyone needs to not only be aware of but address and take action towards.
As someone who comes from a small island in the South Pacific, I am especially concerned about my people and my homeland of Samoa, and how climate change is heavily impacting the islands. Terra Nostra was a moving experience, and a really great way of using music to change the world and inspire others.”
– Tezrah M., senior, Law and Policy
“I think the most effective part of the experience was the music itself. The decision to use a constant beat throughout the piece and to leave it continuous instead of breaking it into movements was effective in invoking the theme of “time.” Thinking about time is important to gaining an understanding of climate change – it’s valuable to consider the unfathomable age of the earth, the impact of humanity on its health and resources, and how little time we have now to make changes in order to stop our negative impact from becoming irreversible.”
– Abbigail K., senior, Psychology
“Terra Nostra made me feel more hopeful about the future, which not something I usually experience regarding climate change. The film certainly reaffirmed my negative and frightful feelings about climate change, but the final stage of the film reminded me of something very important: we can still do some good and we can’t throw in the towel yet.”
– Isabel G., senior, Arts Media & Culture
“Terra Nostra made me view the issue of climate change extremely differently. Hearing about things on the news is much different than seeing something through the lens of an expressive artwork. Art transcends normal boundaries, opening a doorway for connection, emotion, and influence to flow through. Terra Nostra forced me to connect with art, both in audio and visual form, that clearly said “climate change is real, and it is hurting our earth.”
– Elizabeth F., junior, undeclared major
