This On-The-Ground report was filed by Abigail Rethore.
Last week, I attended the launch of Link TV’s new program funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, ViewChange.org, at AED’s Globe Theater in Washington, D.C. The event not only launched this website and explained its semantic technology, but also, awarded the first ever ViewChange.org Film Contest Winners and hosted a panel of professionals in the global development community.
Simply, ViewChange.org is a database of global films, varying in length, that tell stories about the progress currently being made in various fields of global development. It is also a tool that allows people to take action immediately by offering resources and direct links to organizations that are impacting these areas today. Uniquely:
The launch of ViewChange.org is exciting! It provides a new way to share stories about progress, people, and best practices in multiple areas of development. Everyone can learn from these stories and their accomplishments. Beyond informing, this website is a tool for change because it allows viewers to take action immediately.
Explore the site! It’s worth your time just to experience the variety and creativity of the stories.
Want a place to start? See Burning in the Sun, about the impact solar power has had on Mali, or Trash is Cash, a Kenyan kids’ hip-hop group shedding light on innovative ways to recycle waste and earn a living. What’s your favorite film?
Meet our team of on-the-ground reporters. Each week you will hear from one of them as they file a story on a trend or event you ought to be paying attention to.
Abigail Rethore. A graduate of Thunderbird School of Global Management and Boston College, Abigail has an international and domestic work background in the for-profit and nonprofit sectors.
Currently based in Washington D.C., she will report on sustainability events and how businesses are rolling out corporate social responsibility programs.
Heather Clancy. An award-winning business and tech journalist, Heather Clancy covers Sustainability and green tech for ZDNet and SmartPlanet. She will report on how technology companies are turning to green tech and adopting strategic investments in sustainability.
Her articles have appeared in Entrepreneur, Fortune Small Business, The International Herald Tribune and The New York Times.
Jennifer Beauchamp. Using her unique background in sustainable management and adult learning/behavior, Jennifer has created and implemented sustainability strategies for companies such as Mattel, Inc. and Creyr Publishing. Her specialties include employee engagement, CSR reporting, recycling, and FTC guidelines. Several of her articles appear in GreenBiz.com. She holds an MBA in Sustainable Management from Presidio Graduate School.
Adam Aston. A former Bloomberg Businessweek reporter, Adam specializes in green business, energy & environment, and financial markets.
He’s a regular contributor to OnEarth.org, GreenBiz.com, TheFiscalTimes.com and several blogs.
On today’s show, we feature Abigail Rethore, our new sustainability correspondent. Here is her post that expands on the live report.
Recently, I viewed Peter Byck’s film Carbon Nation at George Washington University’s Institute for Sustainability in Washington, D.C.
As advertised, it is “a climate change solutions movie [that doesn’t even care if you believe in climate change].” But, will people from varying climate-change beliefs go to theaters in January, 2011 to see the film when it is released nationwide?
Here are three reasons they should:
Not another Inconvenient Truth. Unlike other enviro-political films I’ve seen, this film demonstrates how cinema can be used productively—to educate, not point fingers and place blame.
Does not cause paralysis. The movie communicates ways people can more efficiently and responsibly use the environment’s resources on individual, organizational, industry, and government levels. Its spotlight on new and developing technology that captures natural energy more effectively encourages, if not inspires, the viewer to act or want to learn more.
For the characters. The film introduces audiences to memorable characters across the U.S. These people, ordinary Americans who have decided to be leaders, share their backgrounds in environmental sustainability while entertaining and offering laughs. From the ‘crazy Alaskan’ to the one-armed farmer, this movie delivers great lines by charismatic Americans.
While the film is worth the $10-12 dollars, it is not a ‘silver bullet.’ The film has flaws. Most notably, it lacks structure and coherent progression. The film also falls into some common traps of over simplifying solutions. For example, the film seems to applaud the military’s tent foaming initiative, which improves insulation and makes cooling easier. However, it’s hard not to wonder what impacts the foam will have on the environment. Is it a true solution, or simply, a band-aid? Lastly, director Peter Byck shoots a surprising amount of the film in his characters’ cars, while they are driving. True, one of the cars is a hybrid. But, I hardly think one hybrid justifies this cinematic decision. After all, it is a film about reducing carbon emissions.
Overall, I commend Byck for reminding viewers that film can be an effective tool for inciting positive change. I also agree with his underlying message that true progress in this area can only be achieved if supported by incentives to reduce and/or costs for emitting carbon. The film’s focus on solutions is refreshing and productive. But, will skeptics and climate-change critics see a film called Carbon Nation?
Will they take a chance and even learn and laugh with the film’s memorable characters? Let me know what you think @abigailrethore
Not just two but three guests on today’s show!
For starters, we are debuting a new segment with an on-the-ground report from Abigail Rethore, a Your3bl correspondent. Every week Abigail will file a report of something new going on sustainability.
Our theme today is on Social media and hiring practices. The ‘People’ part of the equation of People-Planet-Profits.
So to really get things all stirred up, we will have Jay Baer, (find him @jaybaer) who’s one of the foremost thinkers (writers, speakers, bloggers) on social media strategy. His blog, The Convince & Convert, has been ranked one of the best marketing blogs in the world! But what’s really timely is his soon-to-be published book, The Now Revolution talks about employee engagement.
We’re also bringing on Patty Van Leer who’s the Chief Strategist Officer and leader of NAS Recruitment Communications. Patty (follow her @pvanleer) is a recognized expert in e-recruiting solutions. She’s responsible for the agency’s engagement across all social channels, –the usual suspects: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Foursquare, Digg, blogs etc.
If you’ve got a burning question for Jay on strategy, or want to get Patty to weigh in on an employee issue, send us a tweet, or call in. Here’s how:
Latest Tweets