New Internet Movie Makes Grassroots Push for Clean Energy
A new Internet movie aims to create a grassroots movement among Americans to sign up for clean energy.
A new Internet movie aims to create a grassroots movement among Americans to sign up for clean energy.
The movie, produced by GreenBiz founder Joel Makower, was funded by Stonyfield Farm, Inc., the yogurt maker, based on the company's frustration with the lack of national leadership on climate change, the absence of public outrage, and the inertia in political capitals and corporate boardrooms.
Climate: A Crisis Averted is a "mock-umentary" from the future. It looks back from 2056 and recounts how ordinary citizens in 2006 -- realizing that global warming was a scientific fact and not a theory -- took action to demand clean energy and other planet-friendly options. The movie, which launched today on the Internet, describes how a movement called RenewUS effected real change with an action plan on global warming.
The movie was produced by Makower and created by Free Range Graphics, the creative force behind the highly successful Meatrix and Store Wars internet flash movies.
At the end of the film, viewers are directed to learn how to make the imagined future in the flash movie a reality. The RenewUS.org Web site offers monthly action alerts to help individuals take the concrete action to lessen global warming. The first action alert offers viewers a direct link state-by-state to their clean energy options.
"We think this story will have a happy ending," says Gary Hirshberg, President and CE-Yo of Stonyfield Farm, who came up with the idea for the flash movie with his sister, Stonyfield's VP of Natural Resources, Nancy Hirshberg, and Makower. The team then partnered with Earth Day Network and Clean-Air Cool Planet to leverage those groups' extensive knowledge of climate change to the project and roll it out to millions across the US and internationally.
"The climate change debate is over, but what do we do now?" asks Hirshberg. "That question is answered in this movie, which shows how the planet is saved by ordinary citizens taking action to stop global warming. People wake up, take action on the energy issue, and demand the same from companies and politicians."
"This has the potential to be the 'Rosa Parks' moment of the climate change revolution as RenewUS offers a vision of hope and real solutions," says Makower.
"This film predicts the future," says Kathleen Rogers, President of Earth Day Network, "so we know how it all turns out - the power of people dedicated to change wins the day. The planet and its inhabitants face a bright future."
The RenewUS.org website offers monthly action alerts - information may include how to buy green power or a list of the most environmentally friendly cars- that help individuals take the concrete action to lessen global warming.
Adam Markham, executive director of Clean Air-Cool Planet, points out: "Email distribution enables us to reach hundreds of thousands of people instantly, and also encourages the sharing of the movie's message with potentially millions more around the globe. As the film is passed along to a potentially limitless audience via the Internet and email, this high-tech, grassroots movement and our impact via RenewUS.org, has the potential to bring about real change."
"If there is an upside to global warming, it's that it's a challenge that can bring the people of this planet together," Hirshberg adds.
"This movie shows us a positive future, as long as we take quick action today to stem a climatic disaster-in-the-making," Rogers agrees. "By visiting the RenewUS.org website, people can learn how to take action now, not only on this Earth Day, but every day, that will have a positive impact on protecting our planet- before it's too late."
The making and distribution of this movie has been made 100% climate neutral through purchases in clean power from NativeEnergy.
The movie, produced by GreenBiz founder Joel Makower, was funded by Stonyfield Farm, Inc., the yogurt maker, based on the company's frustration with the lack of national leadership on climate change, the absence of public outrage, and the inertia in political capitals and corporate boardrooms.
Climate: A Crisis Averted is a "mock-umentary" from the future. It looks back from 2056 and recounts how ordinary citizens in 2006 -- realizing that global warming was a scientific fact and not a theory -- took action to demand clean energy and other planet-friendly options. The movie, which launched today on the Internet, describes how a movement called RenewUS effected real change with an action plan on global warming.
The movie was produced by Makower and created by Free Range Graphics, the creative force behind the highly successful Meatrix and Store Wars internet flash movies.
At the end of the film, viewers are directed to learn how to make the imagined future in the flash movie a reality. The RenewUS.org Web site offers monthly action alerts to help individuals take the concrete action to lessen global warming. The first action alert offers viewers a direct link state-by-state to their clean energy options.
"We think this story will have a happy ending," says Gary Hirshberg, President and CE-Yo of Stonyfield Farm, who came up with the idea for the flash movie with his sister, Stonyfield's VP of Natural Resources, Nancy Hirshberg, and Makower. The team then partnered with Earth Day Network and Clean-Air Cool Planet to leverage those groups' extensive knowledge of climate change to the project and roll it out to millions across the US and internationally.
"The climate change debate is over, but what do we do now?" asks Hirshberg. "That question is answered in this movie, which shows how the planet is saved by ordinary citizens taking action to stop global warming. People wake up, take action on the energy issue, and demand the same from companies and politicians."
"This has the potential to be the 'Rosa Parks' moment of the climate change revolution as RenewUS offers a vision of hope and real solutions," says Makower.
"This film predicts the future," says Kathleen Rogers, President of Earth Day Network, "so we know how it all turns out - the power of people dedicated to change wins the day. The planet and its inhabitants face a bright future."
The RenewUS.org website offers monthly action alerts - information may include how to buy green power or a list of the most environmentally friendly cars- that help individuals take the concrete action to lessen global warming.
Adam Markham, executive director of Clean Air-Cool Planet, points out: "Email distribution enables us to reach hundreds of thousands of people instantly, and also encourages the sharing of the movie's message with potentially millions more around the globe. As the film is passed along to a potentially limitless audience via the Internet and email, this high-tech, grassroots movement and our impact via RenewUS.org, has the potential to bring about real change."
"If there is an upside to global warming, it's that it's a challenge that can bring the people of this planet together," Hirshberg adds.
"This movie shows us a positive future, as long as we take quick action today to stem a climatic disaster-in-the-making," Rogers agrees. "By visiting the RenewUS.org website, people can learn how to take action now, not only on this Earth Day, but every day, that will have a positive impact on protecting our planet- before it's too late."
The making and distribution of this movie has been made 100% climate neutral through purchases in clean power from NativeEnergy.
