Green Daily

'The Yes Men Fix the World': Movie Review

Cat Lincoln — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:02:00 EST

Filed under: Movies, TV and Books, News, Activism

I'm sure a few of you will agree with me that the Eco/Green Movement can be a bit lacking in the sense of humor department. But two men -- two Yes Men -- have made it their mission to remedy both corporate wrong doings, and the dearth of laughs in the discussion.

Mike Bonnano and Andy Bichlbaum are the Yes Men -- or at least, those are their stage names. The two activists/performers/pranksters/identity thieves -- although they call it "identity correction" -- star in the new documentary "The Yes Men Fix the World," which showcases some of the big "Borat"-style hoaxes they've played on corporate world, all in the name of drawing attention to the way things should be.

The film opens with Andy Bichlbaum preparing to appear on the BBC as "Jude Finisterra", a representative of Dow Chemical. He is endearingly, and understandably, nervous, because he's about to tell a whopper of lie to the entire world: that Dow accepts all responsibility for the Bhopal chemical accident and ragedy, and plan to sell off subsidiary Union Carbide to finance $12 billion in reparations.

Although the announcement was unmasked as a hoax within a few hours, Dow stock took a $2 billion hit, and the Yes Men learned that the corporate world punishes, rather than rewards, good behavior.

The film follows the pair as they perpetrate several outrageous direct actions that seemingly fail to elicit a reaction from their audiences, including:

appearing at a gas and oil conference in Canada as representative of Exxon to present a new energy source called "Vivoleum," made from humans
presenting the Halliburton "Survivaball", an expensive, inflatable suit that can protect you from climate change calamities -- "good for Cabinet Members", as one audience member says
telling a group of contractors in New Orleans that HUD plans to reopen public housing that had been scheduled to be demolished following Hurricane Katrina.

The last group actually did react, cheering the decision even though it meant less work for them. Of course it didn't change the real HUD's demolition plans, so you be the judge of the success of the stunt.

"The Yes Men Fix the World" has several laugh-out-loud moments, an equal number of "They didn't just say that, did they?"gasps, and dozens of "Oh my, they're definitely getting sued for that!" scenes.

Surprisingly, The Yes Men have escaped legal attention, until their recent fake press conference for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, in which they declared that the organization was reversing its stand on climate change and supporting the Boxer/Kerry Climate Bill.

It was a fairly mundane press conference until the real spokesperson for the U.S. Chamber of commerce showed up and started yelling. Then it became entertaining enough to include in the next Yes Men movie!

'The Yes Men Fix the World': Movie Review originally appeared on Green Daily on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:02:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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'CRUDE': A Documentary by Joe Berlinger

Cat Lincoln — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 12:03:00 EST

Filed under: Celebrities, Movies, TV and Books, Activism

Sometimes it's easy to forget just what a dirty, messy, polluting process it is to get crude oil out of the ground so we can turn it into fuel. That's because most of the pollution takes place "somewhere else" -- in another country, in another part of the world.

The indigenous people of the Ecuadorian Amazon don't have that luxury. As we see in "CRUDE", a new documentary from award-winning filmmaker Joe Berlinger, the rainforest where they live has been polluted across an area the size of Rhode Island in an effort to extract black gold. It's an environmental disaster referred to in the film as being thirty times more devastating than the Exxon Valdez spill.

"CRUDE" is the story of the $27 billion-dollar, multi-year environmental lawsuit brought against Texaco -- now owned by Chevron -- on behalf of 30,000 rainforest dwellers. Berlinger shows both sides of the story, which is by turns sad, outrageous and inspiring, but never preachy. The filmmaker leaves conclusions up to you.
(That said, OMG, it's so obvious that Chevron-Texaco needs to admit responsibility, and fix this mess. I mean, come on, failing to clean up ponds of sludge? Just covering them with dirt and letting people build homes on top of them? Fouling drinking water sources that now shimmer with the rainbow slick of oil? And responding to a twenty-day old baby, covered with sores from bathing in that polluted water, by blaming it all on "poor sanitation" -- lame.)

In many ways, "CRUDE" is a classic David and Goliath story. We meet lead attorney Pablo Fajardo, the young Ecuadorean trial lawyer who put himself through law school -- this is his first case. Ever. You can't help rooting for this hero who has sacrificed so much to help his country.

By comparison, the Chevron executives seem like cold, corrupted corporate shills, particularly when juxtaposed with footage of a brave but helpless mother of a teenage girl dying of cancer. There is also an impressive appearance by Sting's wife, Trudie Styler, who has been instrumental in helping get clean water to the people of the region.

"CRUDE" is about of human rights, environmental stewardship, and the question of international corporate responsibility. It's also a well-constructed story that Sundance (and seemingly every other festivals) deemed worthy of seeing. It's even being touted as an Oscar-contender. Add my voice to the flood of accolades!

'CRUDE': A Documentary by Joe Berlinger originally appeared on Green Daily on Thu, 01 Oct 2009 12:03:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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'Earth Days' - A Film by Robert Stone

Cat Lincoln — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 12:02:00 EST

Filed under: Movies, TV and Books, Activism

I was born in 1969, so the environmental movement has always been a part of my life. Over the years I've absorbed bits and pieces of the way it started: that "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson inspired a generation of activists; that the first Earth Day was organized as a teach-in by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin, on April 22, 1970, and that 20 million people participated in it.

But in general, my attention, along with most of the world, has been trained on the future of the movement, not the past.

Award-winning documentary film maker Robert Stone believes that it's also important for us to understand the history of the environmental movement. In his new film, "Earth Days", he combines archival footage and present-day interviews with nine eco-pioneers, to construct the first Genesis tale for the green movement.
The "Earth Days" narrators are:

Former Secretary of the Interior Stewart Udall
Biologist/"Population Bomb" author Paul Ehrlich
Whole Earth Catalog founder Stewart Brand
Apollo Nine astronaut Rusty Schweickart
Renewable energy activist Hunter Lovins
Earth Day organizer Denis Hayes
Republican-turned-Democrat Congressman Pete McCloskey
Growth expert/"Limits to Growth" author Dennis Meadows
Radical population-control activist Stefanie Mills

Some of the archival footage is jaw-dropping. From the 50s, you see clouds of DDT being sprayed on cheerful picnickers, nine-foot wide refrigerators filled with processed food, and cars that are so big. And then there is the footage from the 70s of devastating pollution. Crushed cars piled-up alongside rivers, skies filled with smog, and the famous "Keep America Beautiful" anti-littering/pollution ad with the crying Native American.

It's especially effective when Stone has his narrators talk about their activities in the 70s while showing clips from the era, turning his film into a personal testimony of their participation in this chapter of cultural history.

"Earth Days", which was chosen as the closing night film at Sundance Film Festival, ends on a cautionary yet optimistic note. It shows that we've been able to address big problems before -- air pollution was so bad that some predicted we'd need to abandon U.S. cities by the 1980s! -- but it also warns us that time is running out for the serious changes required to save the environment.

Earth Day 2010 (April 22nd) will be the 40th anniversary of this amazing grassroots demonstration. Plans are already in the works to make the celebration/demonstration have an even bigger impact than the first one. See the film "Earth Days" and you will understand what that means -- and be inspired to take part!

'Earth Days' - A Film by Robert Stone originally appeared on Green Daily on Wed, 23 Sep 2009 12:02:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Colin Beavan, No Impact Man, Talks to GreenDaily

Cat Lincoln — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 12:04:00 EST

Filed under: Movies, TV and Books, Activism, Climate Change

Colin Beavan, No Impact Man. Credit: Cat Lincoln

Last week I encouraged you to go see "No Impact Man", the documentary about environmentalist Colin Beavan's efforts, with his family, to live for a year impact-free, in New York City. In the film and companion book, "No Impact Man," Colin shares the story of the experiment that he, his wife Michelle and their two-year-old daughter, Isabella, conducted over the course of a year.

They reduced their trash to zero, ate only food grown within 250 miles of their home, (which meant giving up coffee -- eek!), and stopped using electricity, which meant dealing with nine flights of stairs to get in or out of their 9th floor apartment every day (double eek!). Their story is funny, and thought-provoking, and manages to make the idea of giving up toilet paper and electricity, in the middle of New York City, see accessible -- even possible.

I had a chance to meet Colin on the press tour for "No Impact Man," along with Beth Terry from Fake Plastic Fish. We got to ask some follow up questions about the No Impact Man experiment, plus get Colin's first-hand advice on living impact-free.

It Turns Out the Personal Is the Political
One of the first things we discussed was the role of personal change versus political change.

Colin had an interesting perspective, offering the idea that the two are inextricably linked. "Personal change and individual action gives people skin in the game," he explained. "Habit change creates value change. Then you insist that your politician enable you to live the way you want to live."

To illustrate this point, Colin shared the story he'd heard recently of a stalwart republican who is voting in favor of gay marriage. The reason for this seemingly uncharacteristic political move is that a member of his family is a lesbian, and he apparently has several connections with people who are gay. His personal experience changed his politics.

"Personal change is a way of crossing the political aisle," Colin said. "It's a low barrier, less challenging entry point into politics-with-a-small-p, non-partisan politics."

We Need to Change our Culture
Colin also pointed out (actually this totally shocked me!) that Americans emit five times the carbon of the average Chinese person. So even if we find a way to switch to renewable sources of energy, we still use too much!

"It requires a cultural change," Colin said. "We don't all get to have three jet skis in our garage, it's not going to work."

He explained, "You can't change the culture through a regulation; you change it by the way you live, one person at a time. But that's not to say it's individual action instead of collective action -- in fact if you can do both, then you have a model of completely engaged citizenship."

As appealing as this sounds - how great would it be to live in a world of engaged citizens? - it also seems like a daunting challenge. How can we possibly change the entrenched habits of so many people?

The natural next question to ask Colin was, "Do you ever get overwhelmed by the immensity of the shift that needs to happen?"

"It's important to feel that sense of being overwhelmed," he replied, "because then we can see more clearly that the tiny steps we're taking aren't enough.

"Of course I feel overwhelmed, but you have to let the feelings in, feel them, and then keep putting one foot in front of each other."

The First Step of Many
Colin has advice for people who want take a first step, and emulate him by reducing their environmental impact.

"There's a meme that goes like this: if we all just do one little bit, it will be okay. And that's not true. We all have to do more."

Colin continued, "We actually have to look at substantial change. It's not to say that everyone needs to become No Impact Man over night, but the changes should be meaningful."

Because he's been asked this question before, Colin posted a list of Top Ten Eco-Lifestyle Changes for individuals on the No Impact Man blog.

Number one on that list? Stop eating beef, because beef production is the second largest cause of climate change -- it even beats transportation!

BTW, 350.org Totally Rocks
Colin also offered a recommendation for collective action: "On October 24th, join 350.org on the International Day of Action, and demonstrate to our leader that we care. The special interests have money on their side, but if we can show the politicians that they have the people behind them, they'll fight the special interests."

Definitely check out 350.org, a global organization dedicated to raising awareness of the "safe" target number of 350 parts per million of CO2 in our atmosphere. They have an fantastic animated short on the "Mission" page of their site that gets the message across wonderfully in every language because it uses images instead of words.

Inspiration From the UPS Guy
I was stuck on feeling overwhelmed by the enormity of the task. So I asked, "How do you find something to get you from being overwhelmed to being able to take those first steps, and then turn them into many steps?"

Colin's answer was really encouraging.

"The problems have to do with our institutions. If you look around you, you'll see that most people are doing the right things. They hold doors for each other, help each other.

"I always say, watch the UPS man, watch what goes on out on the street, where people are laughing and joking with each other. People are lovely. Unfortunately for us, that loveliness isn't reflected in our institutions. That's where we get overwhelmed. But never forget that people are lovely."

One of the things that you get from Colin is his sense of positivity. He told us that some of his heroes are people like Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Betty Friedan, as well as Tolstoy. He admires them because of the combination of leading popular, grassroots movements, and working with the principle of non-violence.

"The idea is not to get angry. You love people into change, don't beat people into change," Colin explained.

You Are the Heroes
Colin continued on the theme of heroes, "But I also say, maybe the heroes are the people who read my blog. They have changed their lives, and we never hear their names.

"Sometimes we talk about the straw that breaks the camel's back. But no one talks about the ten thousand other straws that also had to be there. Yes, the final one gets the attention, but remember the other ones on there weighed just as much, contributed just as much."

It was great to hear his respect for the people who follow his journey and participate outside of the spotlight. It also reminded me that we all share the responsibility for making changes in our lives, even if no one is watching.

The No Impact Year Becomes No Impact Lifestyle
Colin's original plan was to go for a year, progressively moving toward the goal of having zero environmental impact. As the experiment progressed, they gave up electricity, which included shutting off their refrigerator, and doing laundry by hand (and foot - see the movie, you'll understand) in the bathtub.

Of course, now that the year is over everyone wants to know what he kept avoiding, and what he happily went back to.

"You know, we kept the things that made us happy and healthy," Colin said. "We eat food that is fresh and local. We enjoy getting our daily exercise without going to gym, so we continue to bike and walk."

He did concede that there are some things, like washing machines, that he's glad to have back in his life.

"There was a low point in the experiment. One night Isabella got sick all over her sheets. As we changed them, I was thinking, oh my God, how am I going to deal with these sheets? And then she threw up all over the second set of sheets, and I was like, that's it. I put them in the washing machine.

"I admit it, we need laundry machines. And you know, that's not trivial. Laundry machines give us the freedom to live a better life in the pursuit of higher human goals."

Bring No Impact Man Home With You
One point that Colin made over and over is that people don't have to go to the extremes that he did, but major cultural changes are important and necessary. He also reiterated that living low-impact actually enriched their lives in many ways, which runs counter to popular notion of conservation equals deprivation.

Now that he's "finished" his experiment, Colin is turning his attention to The No Impact Project, a non-profit organization he started, dedicated to helping people make choices that "lower their environmental impact through lifestyle change, community action, and participation in environmental politics."

Ready to give it a try? Visit the Change Yourself page of the No Impact Project and to check out ideas, share tips and get inspired!

And admit it -- you're totally wondering how much money they saved by following this way of life. Get all your questions answered in WalletPop's video interview with Colin below.

Colin Beavan, No Impact Man, Talks to GreenDaily originally appeared on Green Daily on Tue, 15 Sep 2009 12:04:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Go See 'No Impact Man' and Get Inspired to Change Your Ways

Cat Lincoln — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 12:11:00 EST

Filed under: Movies, TV and Books

You know those times when you suddenly notice that you've produced seven bags of trash in one week, or you calculate the carbon footprint of a bowl of strawberries from Chile and realize eating them is like 200 bazillion times worse than burning tires in your backyard?

Me too, and I always vow to do better, then don't get around to it. Colin Beavan was like us, filled with good ideas but fallible in the execution. Then he decided to really try to make a difference. For one year he did everything he could to make as little impact as possible on the Earth: Reduce the trash he produced. Only eat local, vegetarian food. Live without electricity or toilet paper ... in the middle on New York City.

Calling it the No Impact Project, Colin wrote a book about the experience, and kept a blog during the year. A documentary about the experience, called "No Impact Man," is about to be released in theaters across the country. Colin sets a great the example, but it's his wife, Michelle, who steals the show and makes you believe this kind of change is possible for everyone.
I identified with Michelle in so many ways. As the No Impact Project starts, she's about to turn 40, is a writer (for Business Week) and genuinely wants to live an environmentally-conscious life. She also loves Chloe boots, reality TV and going to Starbucks. These are hard things to give up, even just for a year.

Through the year, Colin, Michelle and their two year old daughter, Isabella, gradually eliminate things from their lives, in an effort to get to zero impact on the environment. It starts out simple, but tough, and just gets more difficult with each new phase.

The first phase is eliminating trash. By doing things like switching from shopping at the grocery store to buying food from the farmer's market and in bulk, with reusable containers, and switching from disposable to cloth diapers, they go from creating 90 gallons in a week to just a couple of scraps in a tiny waste basket. We see that the changes are obvious, but not easy to do.

As the year progresses, the trials get tougher, public opinion challenges their sincerity, and Colin and Michelle's marriage is tested. But they succeed, showing that it's possible to live a good life -- in some cases an even better one -- without creating a huge impact on the environment.

Definitely see "No Impact Man," buy the book, also called "No Impact Man" and check out the blog ... you guessed it, also called No Impact Man. At the very least, it will give you a whole new appreciation for electricity and toilet paper. At best, some of Colin and Michelle's dedication may rub off on you!

Go See 'No Impact Man' and Get Inspired to Change Your Ways originally appeared on Green Daily on Tue, 08 Sep 2009 12:11:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Being Green Just Got Even Cooler

Cat Lincoln — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 12:08:00 EST

Filed under: Cars and Transportation, Movies, TV and Books, Activism

(Photo by Getty Images)

You know how being "green" used to have a sort of, well ... wimpy reputation?

Hey, you know it's true. I don't make it up, I just report it!

Well, those days are over. Eco-friendly is so cool it's now badass. Ashley Braun and Katharine Wroth at Grist created a killer list of the 13 most badass greens, and there is not a wussy treehugger (not that there's anything wrong with that, we love treehuggers and Treehugger) to be seen!

The post has a poll for you to vote for your favorite Badass Green, but I seriously could not pick just one. My top picks include:

Homeboy Industries, a job-training program for former gang members in LA. One of the skills is solar panel installation which rocks because that means solar panels are so mainstream now that it's a reliable job! Also, their slogan is "Nothing Stops a Bullet Like a Job" -- let's see someone out-badass that.

Leilani Munter, aka Carbon Free Girl, is a vegetarian, race car driving chick. She's also a biologist and conservation activist. Oh, and if that wasn't enough, she is smoking hot gorgeous. Like, beautiful enough to be the star of a car and bikini calendar. Not that it matters, but I bet it helps get some of those old school car dudes to listen to her talk about alternative fuels!

Punk rock and vegan chef, Isa Chandra Moskowitz, is the co-creator of "The Post Punk Kitchen" and co-author of a vegan cupcake cookbook called "Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World". She's totally cool and accessible, removing the intimidation/hassle factor from the idea of vegan recipes. Also, she has a straight-edge X on her hand in the Grist photo. Old school punk!

These are my favorites, but all 13 of the activists and groups on the list are inspiring and worth a look. Check it out and vote for your favorite!

Being Green Just Got Even Cooler originally appeared on Green Daily on Fri, 19 Jun 2009 12:08:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Psychology of Your Green Instincts

Cat Lincoln — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 15:22:00 EST

Filed under: Health, Movies, TV and Books

(Photo by FT Press)

You've greened your diet. Your home. Your commute. Your office. But what about your interior?

Now that the benefits of green external conditions are becoming well known, it makes sense that the next "green frontier" would be the landscape of the mind. In a new book, "The Genius of Instinct: Reclaim Mother Nature's Tools for Enhancing Your Health, Happiness, Family, and Work,", psychologist Dr. Hendrie Weisinger explores the benefits of being "psychologically green."

Just like so many environmental problems come from being disconnected from our surroundings and the planet, Dr. Weisinger believes that we can be more successful, happy and mentally healthy if we get back in touch with the instincts that are "hard wired" into our brains.

In the book she lists six primary instincts, and ways to get back in touch with them.

Part 1: Shelter Seek
Listen To Your Emotions -- Learn to hear "the voice of your instincts" and rely less on other people's opinions. If you have a nagging feeling that something is wrong, believe it!

Part 2: Care Solicit
Allow Yourself To Feel Vulnerable -- Dr. Weisinger says that we are "hardwired to care-solicit-ask others for help." Most "self-help" books today tell you to do things for yourself, and not depend on others. But in nature, asking for help when you need it is necessary to survive.

Part 3: Care Give
Be A Care-Giver -- Another thing that we're hardwired to do is care for other people. So many people fight the maternal or paternal instinct that makes you want to help others grow and develop. It's important to nurture this instinct, whether you're caring for your family, or volunteering in your community. It helps ensure the future for yourself, and for everyone else.

Part 4: Beautify
Look Your Personal Best -- We see animals groom themselves and each other, to find mates and establish power. Dozens of studies show that "attractive" people are more successful. Even though we know it's about more than looks, taking care of yourself helps you put yourself forward in a positive way.

Part 5: Co-op
Commit to Cooperate -- Cooperation brings out the best in everyone, and makes the bigger "team" more successful. Plus we need each other to survive! If you make a commitment to being cooperative, you set a great example for your kids, you create positive momentum, and it help you avoid destructive "tit for tat" situations.

Part 6: Curious
Become a Curious George/Georgette -- It is in our DNA to explore. Encourage kids to ask questions, try new places, keep learning. This increases your chances of finding things that will enhance your existence.

Dr. Weisinger's idea is really interesting, and it makes a lot of sense (trust your instincts!) It's a positive approach to areas that most of us try to improve anyway! The book came out this spring, and is published by FT Press, so you can find it online or in your local bookstore.

The Psychology of Your Green Instincts originally appeared on Green Daily on Tue, 02 Jun 2009 15:22:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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"The Dry Gardening Handbook" Book Review

Cat Lincoln — Wed, 13 May 2009 12:07:00 EST

Filed under: Movies, TV and Books, Climate Change, Plants and Wildlife

(Photo by Thames & Hudson)

For many of us, climate change means water shortage. Regions all over the world are experiencing drought, with corresponding restrictions on when and how you can use water. Gardeners feel these restrictions in a particularly sharp way. After all, the traditional, lush garden requires copious and regular irrigation, a practice that is becoming increasingly difficult -- even impossible -- to maintain.

The Dry Gardening Handbook - Plants and Practices for a Changing Climate is a new book by Oliver Filippi that offers an alternative perspective on the role of water in a planned garden. It provides options and techniques for a "dry garden" that leverages the natural traits of plants that thrive in "mediterrean" environments, like those found in Chile, California, South Africa, Australia and the Mediterrean region.

Although it's a relatively technical book -- there's lots of talk about dormancy and root development -- there are also hundreds of beautiful photos by the author who, with his wife, has dedicated 20 years to the study and cultivation of plants that thrive in dry conditions. You will gain a whole new appreciation for what defines a "beautiful garden."

The thing that makes this book a must have for gardeners who live in dry (or drying) climates is the A-Z index of plants that thrive without much water. The detailed entries -- over 400 of them, with illustrations -- make this intriguing book a valuable handbook and resource.

Even if you're a novice gardener, or don't have any green fingers at all, it's an educational read, as well as a fun one that communicates the Filippis' love of plants, and passion for this approach. Plus it's refreshing to read something that treats climate change as a condition we can react to, deal with and even learn from!

"The Dry Gardening Handbook" Book Review originally appeared on Green Daily on Wed, 13 May 2009 12:07:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Neil Young Video Features Lincvolt EV

Josh Loposer — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Cars and Transportation, Celebrities, Movies, TV and Books

Neil Young loves the automobile with a passion, it's the giant oil conglomerates and carbon emissions that he's not too crazy about. In support of his upcoming car-themed concept album Fork in the Road -- which has basically pre-panned by critics based on a sample track and the theme -- Neil Young has filmed a low-tech music video in what is undoubtedly the most high-tech '59 Lincoln Continental the world has ever seen: Lincvolt.
The not so artistically shot video is for the track "Johnny Magic," which not only features the Lincvolt, but also appears to be an ode to the heavy metal beast itself:

"she goes long range on domestic green fuel,100 miles a gallon is the Continental rule."

Not to knock a legend the rock, but the lyrics seem a little uninspired and/or overly simplistic ... kinda like we're listening to something from a bygone era of uncynical rock 'n' roll. Anyway, it's cool that Neil is still enthusiastic about the Lincvolt project. I'm thinking that the 'Continental rule' lyric has to do with the fact that the Neil's Continental has been entered into the 100mpg Automotive X-Prize.

[via Ecorazzi]

New Neil Young Video Features Lincvolt EV originally appeared on Green Daily on Tue, 31 Mar 2009 12:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Disney's Handy Manny Goes Verde

Kelly Leahy — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 13:25:00 EST

Filed under: Celebrities, Kids and Parenting, Movies, TV and Books

I have two small children and because of this, I am familiar with Disney's animated show, Handy Manny (as well as the rest of the Playhouse Disney lineup). Manny Garcia (a.k.a. Handy Manny) is voiced by Wilmer Valderrama from That 70's Show. Unlike "Fez", Manny does not sit around getting stoned all of the time but rather applies his skills to tackling items around town that need fixing. Lately Manny has been sharing how much he is "living la vida verde" and his new DVD, Manny's Green Team.

This new Disney video features our favorite handyman and his team of talking tools learning about conservation. During the show they save some baby turtles, utilize solar power and repair a cooling system. In addition to the stories, there is a printable checklist for you to help your family go green as well as the "Livin' La Vida Verde" recycling game.

So if you are looking for a gift for your favorite preschooler or have a penchant for kid's shows, Manny's Green Team hits the shelves on March 31st.

Disney's Handy Manny Goes Verde originally appeared on Green Daily on Thu, 26 Mar 2009 13:25:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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"Revolution in a Bottle" Book Review

Cat Lincoln — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 18:38:00 EST

Filed under: Home, Movies, TV and Books, GreenTech

A few weeks ago I wrote about office supplies from Terracycle, the company that makes cool things out of garbage. TerraCycle tracked me down and offered an advance copy of their founder, Tom Szaky's, new book, Revolution in a Bottle.

I actually read the whole thing, which is rare for a business book. Usually you just read the first two chapters, skim the middle, then read the last chapter. But this is such a wacky ride -- and at 200 pages, doable in an evening -- that you will keep reading to see what happens next.

It's a fun read, mainly because it's the story of how Tom dropped out of Princeton to make and market worm poop and somehow created a successful, cutting-edge green company while sticking to his principles.

Tom turned down a million dollars in funding. He took orders for product he didn't have. He kicked down the door to big box stores like Walmart and Home Depot, despite the green conventional wisdom that you should market through coops and small local stores. And he refused to charge the "green premium" that is the hallmark of eco-friendly products, keeping TerraCycle products affordable and competitive.

Somehow, by doing everything "wrong", Tom invented a better -- more successful -- way to do business. In the process, he proved that doing what's right for the planet and right for people is also a good way to make a profit.

Pick up a copy of the book -- and then pass it along to a like-minded friend -- and get inspired by the creative, almost desperation-driven solutions Tom and the company find for every challenge. You may even decide to start your own company after reading it!

By the way, if you can't get enough of Tom, you can also check out his blog the Eco-Capitalist. This is the kind of thinking that will get us through these freaked out economic times. New ideas, creativity, fearless experimentation. And some worm poop.

"Revolution in a Bottle" Book Review originally appeared on Green Daily on Tue, 24 Mar 2009 18:38:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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For Every Butt in a Seat, Disney Plants a Tree - Earth

Josh Loposer — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 10:02:00 EST

Filed under: Movies, TV and Books, Climate Change, Plants and Wildlife

Looking for a slightly underachieving, yet effective and inexpensive way to make a difference for Earth Day? Then Disney's got a deal for you. They've offered up a bribe to all nature documentary addicts and/or lovers of the planet to get them to pack into theaters for the opening weekend of Disneynautre's ode to the planet: Earth. If you'll plant your butt in a seat, Disney will plant a tree in your honor.

Pretty cool eh? The trees will be planted in Brazil's Atlantic Forest, a place that Disney's conservationists have identified as a global conservation hot spot, since only 7% of the forest remains in tact. Disney's savvy box office bribe might help moviegoers that are on the fence decide to brave the opening weekend crowd and catch what Disneynature's Dick Cook calls "an entertaining and unprecedented view of our planet, with some of the most astonishing imagery and exciting natural drama ever presented on the big screen."

Will Disneynature's Earth rival other monumental planet documentaries like Planet Earth? Find out when it opens on Earth Day, April 22nd.

[via Ecorazzi]

For Every Butt in a Seat, Disney Plants a Tree - Earth originally appeared on Green Daily on Mon, 23 Mar 2009 10:02:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Working or Playing at South By Southwest Festival? Be Green

Sea Stachura — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 16:01:00 EST

Filed under: Movies, TV and Books, Travel and Vacation, Reference/Green 101

If you are in Austin or on your way there, keep in mind that you can relatively sustainable at SXSW. SXSW is a 22 year old music festival in Austin that is the place to be for musicheads and techie types, and it is in full swing right now.

Here are few things to consider while you do your daily listening:

SXSW has partnered with Bicycle Sport Shop to provide a variety of rental bikes. Bike, don't drive, or walk. Downtown Austin is not that big.
Pedicabs are also available. And who doesn't want a ride in one of those?
Everyone has a battery need at a time like this. Use rechargeable batteries, and buy solar powered battery chargers for your cell phone, iPod, etc.
SXSW suggests you head to their sustainability panels, and that you read "The Weather Makers" by Tim Flannery.
SXSW also suggests you avoid the brand new "I was at SXSW" t-shirt in exchange for vintage clothes on South Congress
They also encourage getting your water bottle out and refilling it with tap water or water from the fountain at the Austin Convention Centre.
As many will be craving an alcoholic beverage, SXSW also suggests you look for local beers and wines. Local means less carbon created in getting your beer to your lips.

And check out the SXSW YouTube site if you can't go.

Working or Playing at South By Southwest Festival? Be Green originally appeared on Green Daily on Sat, 21 Mar 2009 16:01:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Another Creepy Eco Thriller Featuring Val Kilmer

Josh Loposer — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 11:02:00 EST

Filed under: Celebrities, Movies, TV and Books, Climate Change

Why does Val Kilmer keep taking B-movie roles as fanatical scientists, hellbent on proving to an uncaring world that global warming is in fact real and threatening life as we know it. I don't know. Maybe he's having trouble finding work, being typecast, or he's on some kind of weird, poorly publicized crusade to raise climate change awareness. Whatever the reason, his latest starring role in The Steam Experiment marks the second feature length in under a year with global warming overtones. The other being The Thaw.

In The Steam Experiment, Kilmer plays a scientist who holds six people hostage in a steam room rigged to get incrementally hotter until fatal -- a pretty straight forward metaphor. His request is simple, he wants a headline in "big bold letters" declaring his global warming hypothesis in the official paper of record, The Grand Rapids Press (yeah, I don't get it either). If not, the six hostages will experience the supposed realities of global warming: de-evolution, chaos, anarchy and all that good stuff. My so-bad-it's-good meter is off the charts. Check out the trailer after the fold.

[via Ecorazzi]

Another Creepy Eco Thriller Featuring Val Kilmer originally appeared on Green Daily on Tue, 17 Mar 2009 11:02:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cartoon Ed Begley Jr. Saved by Solar Eclipse - The Simpsons

Josh Loposer — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Cars and Transportation, Celebrities, Movies, TV and Books

What do you get when you combine eco-warrior Ed Begley Jr, solar powered vehicles, and snarky cartoon writers? The answer, of course, it that you get last night's episode of The Simpsons. In case you didn't catch it last night, I've posted the snippet in which Ed Begley Jr made his brief but hilarious cameo (thanks Michael).

Begely's 15 seconds of Simpsons fame occurs as he's driving his solar-powered buggy -- which looks suspiciously like the Chrysler PeaPod -- during a rare solar eclipse. With no sunlight, Begley's EV stalls out as he's crossing the train tracks, and of course ... there's a train a coming. Luckily, it's an Ed Begley sponsored solar train, and it too stalls out prior to impact. Leave it to The Simpsons to tackle age-old questions about renewable solar technology with absolutely no deference or seriousness. That's why we love the show, right?

[via Ecorazzi]

Cartoon Ed Begley Jr. Saved by Solar Eclipse - The Simpsons originally appeared on Green Daily on Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Green Daily Exclusive: An Interview With Tom Brokaw

Josh Loposer — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Celebrities, Movies, TV and Books, Climate Change

In case you had missed it, back in 2006, Tom Brokaw entered the global warming discussion with his own two-hour, Emmy-award winning, ode to climate change, appropriately titled Global Warming: What You Need to Know. Three years later, Brokaw has decided that it's time for a progress report on just how much ground humanity has gained/lost in the battle against greenhouse gases, rising temperatures, and the like.

The program is named Global Warming: The New Challenge, and it will debut Wednesday, March 18th on the Discovery Channel at 10PM. I got a chance to catch up with Mr. Brokaw last Friday (on the phone) to pick his brain on the subject of climate change and his upcoming show.
THE INTERVIEW (recorded frantically on my keyboard):

Can you give the readers at Green Daily a bit of an overview of what this The New Challenge is about and what you hope to achieve with it?

It's really an update. We hope to provide some benchmarks, where progress is being made and where it not being made. There are a lot of distractions, healthcare, a new administration, the economy, and global warming is at all those intersections. The topic of global warming is being approached with a new sense of urgency ... We covered some of the debate on can you have clean coal or not, and the merits of cap and trade. We covered China, a bit about Australia, meteorology, the breakup of sea ice in the Northwest Passage.

You mentioned a sense of urgency, do you think this sense of urgency is being sparked by the fact that there's a new administration in the White House?

I think this issue transcends partisanship. Perhaps, the Republican party was a bit slower to approach the issue, but this is growing from the ground up. John McCain, the Republican nominee, came back from a conference in Norway in 2006 and said that there is evidence and that something must be done.

There seem to be a kind of polarization in the environmental movement. Those in one camp believe that we can avert disaster with technology and making changes to our daily lives. Then, in the other camp are those who think we're all doomed unless we take drastic action. After delving into some of these issues personally, what side do you find yourself gravitating towards?

It's hard for me to calibrate my optimism. I was on Letterman's show a few nights ago, and he seemed interested in the same thing. The question right now is not can we stop it, but are we slowing it down. That's a real goal, slowing it. What worries me is places like China and India, who have enormous populations that are now looking for an urban lifestyle. We have a great opportunity to influence that development.

If you could give all Americans one thing that they could work on individually to combat climate change, what would it be?

As individuals, put pressure on companies that are not responding. In our own lives, I think this economy will put a dent in mcmansions. Your going to see a lot more focus on green building, smaller rooms, and perhaps even more shared-wall development. A friend of mine puts it this way, and I think it's a good way to look at it from. He says, 'it's not what you want, it's what you need that counts.'

People in other nations, the EU for example, seem to focus almost obsessively on climate change. Here in the US, as a whole, it seems that we've taken a much more skeptical approach. Who's crazier?

This is a big, complex subject, with many opinions and points of view surrounding it. It's not easy to achieve politically or economically, but what we need to do is have a real dialog about it in the country, and that's what I hope this program will help us to do.

On Letterman the other night, you mentioned that you had converted part of your ranch in Montana to run on solar power, do you think renewable energy is the future?

Oil companies don't what to be left in the horse and buggy business. T. Boone Pickens for example, though he's not doing it because of global warming, is saying that we need to expand the grid. What he's doing with wind is advantageous.

Do you have a feel yet as to whether the current economic situation is helping or hurting the environmental cause?

That fact is, that a lot of the questions about the economy are interrelated with the environment. Every company is looking in building more efficiently. Look at what GE is doing with Ecomagination, with wind power and more efficient airline engines. On a micro scale, your now very conscious of what's going on in the consumer world. I've been very impressed with what Wal-Mart is doing with packaging and transport, aside from issues some may have with labor practices, they've taken important steps.

Green Daily Exclusive: An Interview With Tom Brokaw originally appeared on Green Daily on Mon, 16 Mar 2009 13:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jay Leno Test Drives the MINI E

Josh Loposer — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Cars and Transportation, Celebrities, Movies, TV and Books

While most of the tire-squealing gas hogs that reside in Jay Leno's garage are anything but eco-friendly, Jay likes to keep his eye on emerging eco-friendly technologies. Case in point: Leno's turbine measuring contest with Ed Begely Jr. This week at the Garage, Leno got to take an extensive lookie loo at the new MINI E, BMW's first micro-sized foray into the world of mass produced electric drive technology.

Though his passion may be hogs and hotrods, Jay is no stranger to the ways of electric propulsion -- he's been behind the wheel of a wide array of EVs from the 1909 Baker Electric to the Tesla Roadster, and now the 2009 MINI E. A quick rundown of the electric Mini's highlights would include: a 2.5hr recharge time, range of 100-120 miles, and a top speed of 95mph. Unfortunately, BMW will be leasing only 450 MINI Es in the US this year, and distribution is limited to California, New York, and New Jersey. Leases are $850/month and last one year only.

[via AutoblogGreen]

Jay Leno Test Drives the MINI E originally appeared on Green Daily on Wed, 11 Mar 2009 13:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jamie Bamber Gets Bare for Bears

Cat Lincoln — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 15:25:00 EST

Filed under: Celebrities, Movies, TV and Books, Activism

He's not as hairy as the "bears" we have in San Francisco, but Battlestar Galactica star Jamie Bamber shows a bit of manly chest fur in his PETA ad that protests hunting bears for ceremonial hats for the Queen's Guards.

It takes a whole bear hide to make just one cap, which does seem needlessly wasteful. And it does seem unsporting that hunters set up "bear bait" -- yummy, salty food that lures in the bears, who are shot while they eat. Really, the whole bear hunting thing sounds pretty anachronistic, and should just stop.

And I have no objection to the ad with the delicately rugged Bamber, and his piercing blue eyes. Although, I'm pretty sure he's doing what my husband calls "Fat Arming It". That's when you cross your arms and push up your biceps from underneath to make them look bigger.

Again, no complaints from me. It's better than another anti-fur ad filled with fake boobs!

Gallery: Jamie Bamber - Boyish and Bearish

Jamie Bamber Gets Bare for Bears originally appeared on Green Daily on Fri, 06 Mar 2009 15:25:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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National Geographic Takes First Photograph of an Infant Blue Whale

Sea Stachura — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Movies, TV and Books, Plants and Wildlife

In the making of "Kingdom of the Blue Whale" National Geographic photographer Flip Nicklin photographed the youngest blue whale calf ever seen. His photographs were part of the first major expedition to follow the creatures.

"It probably made four passes under the boat, curiously zooming by, taking a look at us," Nicklin said in an interview with Green Daily. "You could see every sucker fish swimming around on it. It would roll over and you could seethe eye look you over," he said. Scientists, photographers and videographers started their exploration of the blue whale off the California coast and then headed to the Costa Rica Dome for a month.

The Dome is an area about 300 to 500 miles off the western shore of Central America. It's a spot where the rich nutrients of the ocean's bowels rise to feed the phytoplankton that blue whales feed on. Scientists have long suspected that blue whales wintered there, but this was the first time they were able to track some of those whales. Nicklin said the team discovered that the whales do feed and mate in the winter. They also give birth.

These are huge discoveries that help scientists understand the behaviors and patterns of the whales. Seeing any of these behaviors is rare. The discoveries could help protect the largest mammal on the planet. Blue whales are bigger than any dinosaur. "You can stand an elephant on their tongue," Nicklin said. The blue-gray whales are long and sleek. Nicklin described them as a missile. "If you look at a humpback from the air, it looks like a big pollywog. If you look at a blue whale it is an arrow."

The number of blue whales are greatly depleted. By the 1930s whale hunters slaughtered nearly all of them. Today, their population is believed to hover above 2,000. Nicklin said that is good number to grow from, but, "they're coming back to a new world, a busy world."

Gallery: Blue Whales

It is also a world that continues to hunt whales, including blue whales. As part of the making of "The Kingdom of the Blue Whales" scientists bought samples of whale meat from Japanese fish markets. They discovered one sample came from a blue whale. Blue whales are a protected species. It would have been unlikely that the animal was killed mistakenly.

Hunting isn't the blue whale's only danger. Cargo ships fill the ocean's waters, and they regularly hit blue whales. Nicklin said the whales are known to hang out in the ship channel in Santa Barbara, but they don't hear the ships coming. "These big cargo ships when they are coming at you are very quiet. The bulk of the ship masks the sound of the engines," he said. One way to avoid the accidents is to keep track of the animals and the ship schedules. When whales are in the channel ships could adjust their course to avoid them.

The blue whale also has to contend with a changing environment. Nicklin said he thinks of the whale as an icon for an entire system of ocean life. "You can't have whales without krill," he said. But as the ocean warms, that system changes. Nicklin pointed out that thousands of whales died after El Nino in 1998. The shift in temperature depleted prey, and eventually starved the whales to death.

The same thing could happen here, he said. But he believes this is actually a story of hope. He said when he began photographing whales in the 1970s he never expected to see a blue whale. "The fact that that whale... has a possibility of a comeback, and that people understand the value of the animal is a very hopeful sign."

The March issue of National Geographic contains an article on the expedition, as well as more of Nicklin's photos. The special premiers on the National Geographic Channel this Sunday at 7pm.

National Geographic Takes First Photograph of an Infant Blue Whale originally appeared on Green Daily on Fri, 06 Mar 2009 11:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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TV Producers Work to Make Primetime More Eco-Friendly

Josh Loposer — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Celebrities, Movies, TV and Books, Alternative Energy

Primetime TV program might be arriving to the carbon-counting party a little late, but better late than never. Following the example set by pioneers like UK Gladiators, producers of some of America's hottest shows are rethinking they way they make TV magic, from the writing, to the sets, and even shoot 'em up car chases. Through composting, revamping production facilities, switching to biofuels, and buying offsets, shows like SNL and 24 hope to save the planet while saving a few bucks.

One of the shows that's taking its new carbon-conscious mission to the extreme is also one of the guiltiest when it comes to carbon emitters, Fox's 24. This season, Fox hired consultants to keep track of all the carbon emissions created in the show's production. Considering the number of car chases, explosions, etc. -- they're bound to produce a fair share.

Crew members at all levels have amended their routines: sharing scripts and information electronically, keeping a close watch over generators, and even sending gophers around town in hybrid cars. Anything to reduce the show's impact on the planet without losing its impact on the audience.
The tricky part, it seems, is how to cut carbon on the one hand, and yet keep viewer satisfied with awesome special effects sequences, explosions, and junk. According to Howard Gordon, Executive Producer: "If we've needed a car chase, we've had a car chase."

Of course, that doesn't leave the with too many options. As the IHT puts it, "even hybrid vehicles emit carbon dioxide when blown up." Perhaps, 24 should find a way to buy up the worst gas guzzlers around -- like Hummers -- and blow them up in the shows. Thus, retiring the dirty vehicles as a public service.

[via Earth2Tech]

TV Producers Work to Make Primetime More Eco-Friendly originally appeared on Green Daily on Tue, 03 Mar 2009 14:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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