I read this morning on the New York Times on the attack ads on Newt Gingrich from other GOP Presidential candidates.
Among them (see picture) is a one showing Gingrich with Representative Nancy Pelosi, Democrat of California and the former House speaker, and Al Gore in the background, asks, “With allies like this, who needs the left?” (I guess they're referring to this "We Can Solve It" global warming ad campaign sponsored by Al Gore's Alliance for Climate Protection).
How you can win? Very simple. All you have to do is to retweet this post (or the review post) on twitter with the hashtag #ourchoice at the end of your tweet. We will have a raffle on Wednesday, December 21, 5:00PM EST between all the readers that will retweet by then. The winners will be announced the following day.
And by the way, if Newt Gingrich is still interested, he's still welcome to participate. We promise not to tell anyone :)
Today we continue our series 'Audiobook for the holidays', where we review, recommend and give away 4 great audiobooks. Last week we introduced you to Boomerang by Michael Lewis. Today we're excited to introduce you to an audiobook that is maybe not very new, but given the news from Durban is more relevant than ever.
The audiobook is published by Simon & Schuster Audio. Here's an excerpt from the audiobook narrated by Sex & the City's Cynthia Nixon, Mad Men's John Slattery, and Al Gore:
Here's more about "OUR CHOICE" from Al Gore's introduction to the book:
It is now abundantly clear that we have at our fingertips all of the tools we need to solve the climate crisis. The only missing ingredient is collective will.
Properly understood, the climate crisis is an unparalleled opportunity to finally and effectively address many persistent causes of suffering and misery that have long been neglected, and to transform the prospects of future generations, giving them a chance to live healthier, more prosperous lives as they continue their pursuit of happiness.
Our Choice gathers in one place all of the most effective solutions that are available now and that, together, will solve this crisis. It is meant to depoliticize the issue as much as possible and inspire readers to take action -- not only on an individual basis, but as participants in the political processes by which every country, and the world as a whole, makes the choice that now confronts us.
There is an old African proverb that says, "If you want to go quickly, go alone; if you want to go far, go together." We have to go far, quickly.
We can solve the climate crisis. It will be hard, to be sure, but if we can make the choice to solve it, I have no doubt whatsoever that we can and will succeed.
It sounds like a great book and I warmly recommend to get the audiobook - not only that you'll be saving paper, but you'll have it read by John Slattery and Cynthia Nixon, which is a great added value to the interesting content the book has to offer.
"An Inconvenient Truth" made a difference in the way the world is understanding and dealing with global warming and contributed greatly to the progress we have seen in the last couple of years. We can only wonder what impact this book will have.
We're giving away two copies of this audiobook, one of them signed by Al Gore, courtesy of the publisher, Simon & Simon audio!
How you can win? Very simple. All you have to do is to retweet this post on twitter with the hashtag #ourchoice at the end of your tweet. We will have a raffle on Wednesday, December 21, 5:00PM EST between all the readers that will retweet by then. The winners will be announced the following day.
The one and only Al Gore is presenting today his latest climate change activism project. This one is called the Climate Reality Project: 24 Hours of climate change reality from all over the world.
Here are more details from their website on this event that starts today:
What is 24 Hours of Reality?
24 Presenters. 24 Time Zones. 13 Languages. 1 Message. 24 Hours of Reality is
a worldwide event to broadcast the reality of the climate crisis. It will
consist of a new multimedia presentation created by Al Gore and delivered once
per hour for 24 hours, representing every time zone around the globe. Each hour
people living with the reality of climate change will connect the dots between
recent extreme weather events — including floods, droughts and storms — and the
manmade pollution that is changing our climate. We will offer a round-the-clock,
round-the-globe snapshot of the climate crisis in real time. The deniers may
have millions of dollars to spend, but we have a powerful advantage. We have
reality.
When is 24 Hours of Reality?
24 Hours of Reality will be broadcast live online from September 14 to 15,
over 24 hours, representing 24 time zones and 13 languages.
Where is 24 Hours of Reality?
From Tonga to Cape Verde, Mexico City to Alaska, Jakarta to London, people
living with the impacts of climate change every day will tell their story. You
can experience as much as you like without even leaving your home. Click here to find the location — or locations — where
you would like to watch a presentation. Due to logistical considerations, three
of the presentations will be broadcast remotely from New York — Tonga, the
Solomon Islands and French Polynesia — but will include local footage and
information. All other presentations will be filmed on location around the
world.
Here's more about "OUR CHOICE" from Al Gore's introduction to the book:
It is now abundantly clear that we have at our fingertips all of the tools we need to solve the climate crisis. The only missing ingredient is collective will.
Properly understood, the climate crisis is an unparalleled opportunity to finally and effectively address many persistent causes of suffering and misery that have long been neglected, and to transform the prospects of future generations, giving them a chance to live healthier, more prosperous lives as they continue their pursuit of happiness.
Our Choice gathers in one place all of the most effective solutions that are available now and that, together, will solve this crisis. It is meant to depoliticize the issue as much as possible and inspire readers to take action -- not only on an individual basis, but as participants in the political processes by which every country, and the world as a whole, makes the choice that now confronts us.
There is an old African proverb that says, "If you want to go quickly, go alone; if you want to go far, go together." We have to go far, quickly.
We can solve the climate crisis. It will be hard, to be sure, but if we can make the choice to solve it, I have no doubt whatsoever that we can and will succeed.
It sounds like a great book and I warmly recommend to get the audiobook - not only that you'll be saving paper, but you'll have it read by John Slattery and Cynthia Nixon, which is a great added value to the interesting content the book has to offer.
"An Inconvenient Truth" made a difference in the way the world is understanding and dealing with global warming and contributed greatly to the progress we have seen in the last couple of years. We can only wonder what impact this book will have.
Here's more about OUR CHOICE - this time it's Al Gore talking on his audiobook (from S&S website):
Last but not least, we want to thank Simon & Schuster Audio for their support of our Green Books campaign. They have contributed five copies of the Al Gore's audiobook as prizes for the participating bloggers, including one signed copy!
The U.N. General Assembly in New York got a lot of attention because of the visit of the Iranian President, but it also had two important visitors that had a much more important message to the world leaders. They're both Nobel Peace Prize winners and they had one request to world leaders: make sure the protection of forests will be part of any global agreement that will take place in the post Kyoto era.
These guests were no other than former Vice President Al Gore and Kenyan environmentalist Wangari Maathai. According to the International Herald Tribune, "the two Nobel Peace Prize winners, calling attention to deforestation blamed for a fifth of all greenhouse gas emissions worldwide, aimed their comments at world leaders converging for the U.N. General Assembly. They hoped to pave the way for billions of dollars in new spending to attack illegal logging."
Just a brief reminder: forest protection wasn't permitted under the Kyoto Protocol for carbon trading and and hence an important incentive to invest in such forest conservation projects was lost. But as we reported in the past, it was discussed in the U.N.’s Bali meeting in December last year, and though it is not approved yet, there's a good chance it will be part of the post-Kyoto program that will replace in 2012.
Though it makes a lot of sense and enjoy the support of Prince Charles ("the world's rainforests is key to combating global warming") and Norway ("fighting deforestation is a quick and low-cost way to achieve cuts in greenhouse gas emissions blamed by scientists for global warming, in addition to maintaining biodiversity and securing people's livelihoods"), this is far from being a done deal and therefore requires the intervention of heavy-weight players such as Gore and Maathai.
So what did they tell the General Assembly? According to the article, Gore reminded his listeners that "one of the most effective things that we can do in the near term to reduce the emissions of global warming pollution is to halt this totally unnecessary deforestation," and Maathai urged the next U.S. President to persuade richer industrialized nations to reward developing nations for conserving and expanding their remaining forest cover."This country is the one we are waiting for to provide the leadership," she said.
I truly hope that with their support this issue will be taken seriously and will be part of the climate accord that will follow the Kyoto accord. This way live trees will have monetary value and not just when they're cut down for industrial use or just to make more room for farmland. This is probably one the quickest ways to significantly decrease deforestation and its hug contribute to global warming (about 20%). We'll have to wait to the planned meeting in Copenhagen in December 2009, where the details of the new accord will be formed, to know if Gore and Maathai succeeded in making it clear to everyone.
It's always interesting to hear Al Gore, especially when he shows a new presentation. This one was given at the TED 2008 conference in Monterey, California few weeks ago.
This is a short version of a presentation he was giving for the first time and I recommend you to take 27:54 minutes of your time and watch it. Gore speaks on many issues related to the climate crisis, including the need to lift the sense of urgency and what's the solution (hint: put a price on carbon). It's a disturbing presentation as was his last one, which we know from 'An Inconvenient Truth', but also an optimistic one.
Gore's presentation is followed by a brief Q&A in which he is asked for his verdict on the current political candidates' climate policies and on what role he himself might play in future.
2007 is almost gone and everywhere you look there's another summary of the year. An interesting one comes from Yahoo! (and thank you to Environmental Leader for the link) - list of the top ten green search terms.
Yahoo! writes on their summary that "2007 may go down as the year people stopped talking about the climate crisis and actually did something about it." I am not sure I totally agree with it, as I believe we saw this year a lot of green buzz and not enough green action. In any case, there was definitely a huge increase in the awareness to green issues and therefore it's interesting to see what people are most interested at. So, here's Yahoo! list:
1. Recycling
2. Global Warming
3. Freecycle
4. Earth
5. Pollution
6. Al Gore
7. Environmental Protection Agency
8. Live Earth
9. Hybrid Cars
10. Solar Energy
Well, it's definitely an interesting list, showing that there is a thirst for information on personal actions (hybrid cars, recycling, solar energy) as well as on general topics (global warming, pollution, earth). I'm just wondering if the huge interest in Freecycle is due to its green elements (decreasing consumption of new stuff), or just because it's a cool and beneficial service, or maybe it's both..
For statistics fans, Yahoo! reports that "in terms of sheer search volume, residents of the Big Apple proved the most interested in global warming, edging out the environmentally conscious San Francisco Bay Area. When it came to hybrid cars, Los Angeles posted the most searches. Whether that's out of concern for the planet or frustration over gas prices and gridlock, we can't really say. "
I hope 2008 will be a year with the same green buzz and enthusiasm, but also with much more green action.
About two weeks ago I wrote here about a new film about the world getting better - 'A Convenient Truth'. I saw the trailer, read about the film on its website and was very intrigued with the film and its creator, Jack Guest.
I decided I should learn more about the film and Guest, and asked Guest for an interview. He agreed and I am happy to bring you my interview with Jack - the guy who brings us a movie that is both a green and a personal journey to a better future.
Can you please tell us what the movie is about? How does it relate to 'An Inconvenient Truth'?
The film's about the possibility that things can get better. An Inconvenient Truth showed us in no uncertain terms that we face a huge problem on planet earth. A Convenient Truth looks at turning that problem into an opportunity, showing that we can make things work, for everybody.
Is the final movie similar to what you had in mind when you started this journey?
Only a little. Once we started filming it took on a life of its own, it's a very organic process. At first I wanted to jump straight from amateur filmmaker to Oscar-winning professional, without realising that I didn't have the skills to do that. If I'd realised how much work goes into making a film I'd probably never have started.
Why did you choose to go to Sweden from all places?
I was doing lots of local green politics at the start of 2006 when Sweden announced plans to break their dependence on oil by 2020. This was a big declaration at the time. The scale of climate change wasn't widely acknowledged then as it is now, so it was a bold, forward-looking and exciting decision, and I wanted to know more.
What was the most important green lesson you learned during the work on the film?
That consistency and constancy of action is more important than grand gestures.
Is there really a convenient truth? Do you believe the Swedish solutions can be applied to other countries with different ways of thinking, like the U.S. for example?
Yes. The cornerstone of the Swedish solutions was collaboration and action. It's this spirit, rather than the specifics of solutions (which will always change from location to location), that can and needs to be applied to other countries.
The people I met were inspirational in that they saw very clearly that there was a big problem, were in no doubt as to the importance of doing something about it, and so just got on and did something. No big fuss or argument.
Their 2006 oil commission report, for example, saw politicians, civil service, business, citizens and the media all working together, communicating and collaborating to get the job done.
Many people claim that no matter what we, the people, do it has no real influence, and only governments, policies and regulation can make a difference - what are your thoughts about this claim?
For me it's a personal issue. There will always be voices on the sidelines, arguing, heckling, seeking to undermine the good work being done. My question is this, am I doing what I need to do about this issue? Am I doing the best that I know how? And will I look back and be satisfied that I played my part, whatever the eventual outcome is. If I can answer yes then I know I am contributing, no matter what anyone else says or does.
Did you manage to keep the work on the film environmental-friendly?
Yup, we're a super low carbon film. I don't know how low, but very, very low. Certainly the best that we knew how. Most of our work has been done digitally, we travelled efficiently.
What are your plans concerning the distribution of the film? will it be available online? any plans to participate in film festivals?
We're in talks with one distributor at the moment, and it's too early to say anything more. Releasing the feature length preview (95 minutes) online has worked very well. I think the main film will be more suited to a traditional style release, although there are some exciting self-distribution options opening up, like Brave New Cinemas as a way for people to organise screenings of new films for themselves all around the world.
The organic nature of the production so far has meant we haven't done any forward-planned applications to film festivals and given the ACT NOW message, I don't want to wait many months to get a good slot. We'll see.
Why did you choose to start with a 95-minute preview? what is the difference between the preview and the movie itself?
To get the film rolling, show people what we saw in Sweden, and help fund the main release next year.
The preview film is a little rough around the edges and focuses on the Swedish people and projects that we visited. Although split into five parts it remains a film in itself, produced on a low budget by a great team of collaborators. Someone said watching it is like having a nice massage.
The main movie has been produced on a bigger budget, with a more experienced team and is aimed at a wider audience. It's less about the specific Swedish solutions and more about my journey to the country, making the film, and then continuing across the Atlantic by cargo ship. It's a lot more personal.
Any advice to people who will want to follow your steps and make their own independent films on green issues? would you say that with all the hardship and budget difficulties it was worthwhile?
Absolutely. Hardship and difficulties were the only way to learn what to do better next time. My advice is go for it.
What are your plans for the future? any new project in the horizon?
I'm doing a course in Shiatsu massage and oriental therapy to learn about practical hands-on healing. There is another film on the horizon too, it's a continuation of the journey really, about going to meet some smart people to ask if it's our inner lives that are heating up the planet.
Did you receive a phone call from Al Gore yet?
No. He's a busy man. Maybe once we've built his 200 foot gold statue he'll visit.
Thank you Jack! I am going to watch the preview this weekend and I invite all of you to check it out. The 95-minute preview splits into five parts, between 5 and 30 minutes each. Each part costs about $0.75 (or £1) and you get 200 credits to watch one part for free.
And there's the trailer, if you want to get a glimpse of the movie:
I am happy to present you with part 7 of Eco-Libris blog's holiday green gift guide, the guide that will help you find the best green books to give as gifts this holiday season.Today we have the pleasure to bring you a recommendation of Alex Steffen of Worldchanging. Alex recommends on one of the most interesting and comprehensive green books published in the last couple of years, which he knows very well as he also edited it.
Alex Steffen has been the Executive Editor of Worldchanging since he co-founded the organization in 2003, as the next phase in a lifetime of work exploring ways of building a better future. In a very short time, Worldchanging has become the most widely-read sustainability-related publication on the Internet, with an archive of over 7,000 articles by leading thinkers around the world. Steffen works tirelessly to share Worldchanging's ideas and message worldwide through regular speaking appearances to influential audiences and at leading companies such as Weiden + Kennedy, Nike, Amazon, Ideo, Arup, Nau, Yahoo! and the World Travel and Tourism Council.
Prior to founding Worldchanging, Steffen worked as an environmental journalist on four continents (where he wrote about everything from Japan's fast breeder reactor program to the UN "Earth Summit" in Rio de Janeiro). That work led him to provide strategic consultation to over 50 environmental groups. He also served as president of the board of Allied Arts (the venerable Seattle urban design advocacy group), a co-founder of the Livable Communities Coalition and the Fuse Foundation, and has served on the boards or steering committees for numerous other NGOs and campaigns. Steffen's media work extends into newspaper, radio, and an on-air television, and he started the short-lived but influential magazine, Steelhead, in the mid-nineties.
Alex Steffen's recommendation for this holiday's gift is:
What it is about: Worldchanging: A Users Guide for the 21st Century is a groundbreaking compendium of the most innovative solutions, ideas and inventions emerging today for building a sustainable, livable, prosperous future.
From consumer consciousness to a new vision for industry; non-toxic homes to refugee shelters; microfinance to effective philanthropy; socially responsible investing to starting a green business; citizen media to human rights; ecological economics to climate change, this is the most comprehensive, cutting-edge overview to date of what's possible in the near future -- if we decide to make it so.
The Worldchanging book contains over 600 pages, divided into 7 sections which include a vast range of topics.
Stuff: green design, biomimicry, sustainable food, clothing, trade and technology.
Shelter: green building and landscaping, clean energy, water, disaster relief and humanitarian design.
Community: education, women's rights, public health, holistic approaches to community development, South-South science, social entrepreneurship and micro-lending, and philanthropy.
Business: socially responsible investment, worldchanging start-ups, ecological economics, corporate social responsibility and green business.
Politics: networked politics, new media, transparency, human rights, non-violent revolution and peacemaking.
Planet: the big picture - everything from placing oneself in a bioregion to climate foresight to environmental history to green space exploration.
Why it's a great gift: Here's some of what people have said about it:
"To build that future, we need a generation of everyday heroes, people who—whatever their walks of life—have the courage to think in fresh ways and to act to meet this planetary crisis head-on. This book belongs in the library of every person who aspires to be part of that generation." Al Gore.
"Read it: it may change your life." Elizabeth Kolbert, New Yorker Writer.
Thank you Alex for your recommendation! This is a great book and one I'm personally going to give it to a dear friend of mine (can't disclose names before giving it..)
If you choose to give your friends or family this book as a gift on the holidays, you are more than welcome to balance it out with Eco-Libris, add its sticker to the book and make it the perfect green gift for the holidays. And of course, don't forget to check the website of Worldchanging, one of the most mind-provoking environmental websites out there.
And just a reminder, here are the other recommendations we had so far on our guide:
Founded in 2007, Eco-Libris is a green company working to green up the book industry in the digital age by promoting the adoption of green practices in the book industry, balancing out books by planting trees, and helping to make e-reading greener.
To achieve these goals Eco-Libris is working with book readers, publishers, authors, bookstores and others in the book industry worldwide. So far Eco-Libris balanced out over 179,500 books, which results in more than 200,000 new trees planted with its planting partners in developing countries.
I read this morning on the New York Times on the attack ads on Newt Gingrich from other GOP Presidential candidates.
