Archive for Social Responsibility
The 82nd Academy Awards, even Oscar is greener
Posted by: | CommentsSo did you watch the 82nd Academy Awards last night? Did you notice (when you weren’t grinning at images of George Clooney or Keira Knightley) that a number of the nominated films had an eco-theme to them? You probably spotted at least one as it was nominated for almost everything (9 nominations in all) including best picture but there were four films in total that had a semblance of green or environmental messages contained within.
Hollywood gathers every March to honour the most creative and talented movie-makers in the industry but last night marked the first Oscars ceremony that so many films which asked their respective audiences to consider matters green were all nominated. In years past the closest we tended to get to films with a global message about sustainability were typically apocalyptic in nature but last nights nominations asked questions both large and small about the way in which we live. So before I get started can you think of the four films that went before the Academy for consideration?
I’ll start with the most obvious, that being James Cameron’s blockbuster Avatar. The film that has now broken all global box office records didn’t win the biggest prizes on offer for Best Picture or Director but in terms of influence you have to acknowledge the audience worldwide. In just 12 weeks the film has grossed some $2.6 billion and remarkably more than 70% of that is from markets outside the US making the film a record breaker in all markets. Has the green message of the film been lost on those who were captivated by the special effects? Research suggests no and that it was impossible to disregard the message in relation to the future of our planet - Cameron suggests the film was to be ‘motivational and ‘a cautionary tale’.
The second film you may have seen, as it received just the one nomination (best documentary feature) and also won it. The Cove was more than a film, it serves as a call to activism which you can certainly support via their website. I won’t give away everything as it’s a film that should be explored on a personal basis but the synopsis is as accurate as can be:
Utilizing state-of-the-art techniques, including hidden microphones and cameras in fake rocks, the team uncovers how this small seaside village serves as a horrifying microcosm of massive ecological crimes happening worldwide. The result is a provocative mix of investigative journalism, eco-adventure and arresting imagery, adding up to an unforgettable story that has inspired audiences worldwide to action.
Our third green Oscar nominated film was a documentary that I reviewed on the blog back in November, and like ‘The Cove’ I heartily recommend that you take the time to rent or download a copy of ‘Food Inc’. It’s a film that at best will change the way you consume food or at worst will make you suggest others watch the film. We have to review the way we gather, raise and process our food. It really is as simple as that.
Finally something a little lighter but no less pertinent. I’ll even give you a clue that it was created from the book by the wonderful (and marginally subversive) Roald Dahl. Dahl had an uncanny knack of combining children’s stories with messages that reflected just how much the adults have taken us away from our goals as a society. If that seems a lofty goal for a kid’s film its because you’ve yet to see the ‘Fantastic Mr Fox’ which manages to combine both. The film, nominated for best animated feature film and best original score features Mr Fox leading a campaign against a collection of evil farmers. You need to see it!
So if you are hoping to see the Oscar nominated films one wet weekend, why not start with these four?
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Earth Friendly Business Apple Releases iPad
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Unless you have been hiding under a rock you have probably heard about Apple’s latest product the iPad. The excitement tends to revolve not around the new tablet but the fact that Apple unveiled the new A4 chip as the main processor that has pushed out both of the market leaders Qualcomm Inc. and Intel Corp. Many believe that this chip will make itself invaluable to Apple, as it may soon be found in other products like the iPhone or iPod touch. Apple has also continued their commitment to being an earth friendly business. How have they done this?
Apple has designed the iPad with many of the features Apple has been known for which reduce their environmental impact and cement themselves as an earth friendly business like arsenic-free display glass. Apple has also made the iPad both free of brominated flame retardants (BFR) and Polyvinyl chloride (PVC). As with many of their other popular products the iPad also boasts a Mercury-free LCD display. Beyond that they have branched off the success of the recyclable body of the MacBook and have created the iPad with a recyclable aluminum and glass enclosure.
Being an earth friendly business shows their commitment to remaining enviro-socially aware. Having an environmental policy that brings about a better product will always increase the bottom line and in recent years no one could say that Apple is not a thriving business. Moreover the creation of the A4 chip, which completely incapacitated their need for their former partners turned competition shows the shrewd business savvy of Apple head genius Steve Jobs.
Innovation has been what has allowed Apple to sore to the heights they have reached in recent years, and being an earth friendly business industry leader has been part of that. In every aspect of their business Apple has been a leader in their field overhauling the MP3 players, cell phones, computers and also setting a standard when it came to being socially and environmentally responsible. When the iPad goes on sale in March 2010 it is likely to be another strong seller in a tight economy. Here is hoping that as their success continues Apple constantly strives to find new ways to develop on the earth friendly business they have built.
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The Climate Killers - Part One
Posted by: | CommentsRolling Stone magazine has never been one to mince words whether it is about the latest CD or taking a political stand, so it should be no surprise when their political columnist Tim Dickinson penned the list entitled “The Climate Killers: Meet the 17 polluters and deniers who are derailing efforts to curb global warming”. Let us take an ecofriendly multi part look at the list and weigh public perception vs. his finding.
The very first offender marked by the list is noted philanthropist Warren Buffett, the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway. Buffett is known for two things of late one being this extreme generosity, he decided to give away a reported 85% of his stock in Berkshire to a number of charities the most well known being the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The second is being a top advisor to United States President Barack Obama during the latest finical crisis. Dickinson claims that Buffett is standing in the way of an ecofriendly future for a host of reasons, the first being his critique of Obama’s climate bill, the article states that “Buffett says, the [climate bill] would mean “very poor people are going to pay a lot more money for their electricity.” Never mind that the bill, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, would actually save Americans with the lowest incomes about $40 a year.”
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The Dimpled Charm of Jeff Probst and Social Responsibility with the Serpentine Project
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Jeff Probst: clever, chiseled, charismatic, and finding time between Survivor adventures to focus on social responsibility as founder of The Serpentine Project. It’s hard to not get momentarily sidetracked when a guy like Jeff Probst graces my Television set once a week. Need I mention those glorious dimples – a spectacular abyss of visual delight? I mean seriously ladies, the only reason to kick Jeff Probst out of bed is to attack him on the floor. He’s 47, still absolutely gorgeous, intellectual and a humanitarian – in many ways, he embodies male perfection. I’ll stop obsessing about his breathtaking good looks because Jeff’s character goes way beyond the surface beauty God granted him which makes him 100 times more attractive.
Jeff Probst is the George Clooney of reality TV and I idolized him even more when I read about The Serpentine Project and his commitment to help emancipated youths fulfill their dreams. As Survivor Samoa ended, Jeff talked about his charity, The Serpentine Project and I wanted to learn more about it. It’s a mentorship program for emancipated youth providing guidance through weekly meetings with Serpentine Project staff that help set realistic goals, identify and eliminate challenges, as well as monitor personal progress. When a foster child turns 18, they are “emancipated” by the state and face the awkward and tumultuous early adult years completely alone. Many of these youths will experience homelessness, incarceration, or be living under the poverty line within 2 years. Enter Jeff Probst, founder of the Serpentine project to help these kids believe that their dreams are possible.
What does serpentine mean in this context? Well, the serpentine stone is known as the dream stone - it’s green in color, but the shade and texture of each stone varies much like the dreams of our youth are unique to each individual. No one can say it more eloquently than Jeff himself. Here is his letter of inspiration posted on the Serpentine Project site:
“Most of us were fortunate enough to grow up knowing we could count on the guidance and support of our parents. They helped us with homework, drove us to and from after school activities, assisted with our first job applications, and perhaps most importantly, they were there to give us a hug when the growing pains of life seemed overwhelming. It is through such unconditional love that we learn to believe in ourselves and reach for our wildest dreams.
Many youth transition out of foster care and enter adulthood without the emotional and financial resources most of us had in our young adult lives. Instead of dreaming for a future that is bright, emancipated youth worry about securing a safe place to call home and earning the next paycheck to cover food and gas.
The Serpentine Project aims to even the playing field. We believe each and every youth has the right to dream big and achieve greatness. We strive to provide our youth with the right tools and resources needed to set goals, eliminate obstacles and ultimately reach their dreams.
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