What is the film really about? Is it about a man and woman who come from different backgrounds and who try to understand each other? Maybe it's about Paul Revere's legendary midnight ride on a horse and a legendary moonlight ride on a snowboard by Brian O'Shaughnessy. You could say it is about the founding of Revere Copper Products, Inc. by Paul Revere 200 years ago. It would be more correct to suggest it is about the environmental impact of copper from mining to fabrication to its use.

It is about using new technologies to reduce the impact of mining on the environment. It is also about how much copper is recycled which is good for the environment. It is definitely about using scientific research to understand the important role that copper has on human health.

But the film is really about using sound science to examine environmental issues rather than relying on popular emotional arguments. This theme of emotional arguments vs. sound science is one that we see played out in the media everyday. Several examples come to mind.

Nuclear power is used extensively in France, Sweden and Japan. In these countries new technology has led to safe, non-polluting plants that produce low cost energy. Yet environmental extremists acting on an emotional basis stopped the building of new nuclear plants in the US.

But the foreign producers believe the technology is safe and sound. Who is right?

Electrical transmission lines were thought to be hazardous but recent studies don't agree. What is the truth?

The use of copper tubing and copper roofing was attacked in the San Francisco Bay Area. But is copper actually better for human health and the environment than substitute materials?

These issues could be discussed in the classroom. Students could be encouraged to investigate these issues in an assignment to produce research papers. Perhaps the film will encourage students to search for sound science rather than use emotional opinions to guide understanding and decision making.