CLEARLAKE, Calif. – In January 2012, Second Sunday Cinema completes a full five years of free, vital and well-made documentaries for all.

Its January film will be “Crash Course” by Dr. Chris Martenson.

“Crash Course” is a three-disk educational documentary that focuses on explaining the convergence of four “E's”: Energy, the Environment and the Economy – all in the context of Exponential growth.

The movie will be shown on three consecutive Sundays – Jan. 8, 15 and 22 – at Clearlake United Methodist Church, 14521 Pearl Ave., Clearlake.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m.; the movie starts at 6 p.m.

Martenson is a scientist, holds a master's degree from Cornell and is a fellow at the Post Carbon Institute. He's been researching the not-far-off future for at least the last nine years.

“It's very important to distinguish between facts, opinions and beliefs,” said Martenson. “So let me be right upfront about this. I hold three beliefs, which I'm going to share with you and then spend the rest of our time showing you how I got to these beliefs.

“The first is that the next 20 years are going to be completely unlike the last 20 years. Second, I believe that it's possible that the pace and/or scope of change could overwhelm the ability of our key social and support institutions to adapt. Third, I believe we do not lack any technology or understanding necessary to build ourselves a better future,” Martenson said.

Martenson, a likable and down-to-earth guy and father of three young children, says the changes he saw looming just five years ago are already happening all over the globe.

As a research scientist, Martenson is an expert at gathering and putting in order and in relationship, reams of data and then making the results understandable by ordinary people like ourselves. This information will help us prepare for what's coming down the pike. It's fascinating and mobilizing.

Discussion follows the screenings.

For more information call Shannon Tolson, 707-889-7355.