I had the honor of serving on a discussion panel during the Hazel Wolf Environmental Film Festival this evening. The topic, 'Communicating about climate change', was moderated by KUOW's Steve Scher and the other panelists included Earth Ministry's LeeAnne Beres, Climate Solution's KC Golden, and Grist's David Roberts. Prior to the panel, we joined festival-goers in viewing four films: Climate: A Crisis Averted, a humorous short film looking back at climate change from 2056; Gone, a music video style short produced by Bill Madden; Out of Balance: ExxonMobil's Impact on Climate Change, a guided documentary on Exxon's many mishaps during the Valdez spill; and Greenpeace: Making a Stand, a documentary on the origins and continued spirit of Greenpeace by Leigh Badgley. Climate: Crisis Averted busted me up with lots of comic relief (including a magazine cover with Martha Stewart showcasing pastel solar panels), Gone was incredible aesthetically,Out of Balance appealed to the conservation biologist in me, and Greenpeace: Making a Stand completely inspired me. All are worth seeing, but Greenpeace: Making a Stand especially should be seen by as many people as possible. In particular, I think it goes a long way in defining what a hero truly is and can be. Although we sometimes slipped into broader issues than climate change, the panel discussion was great and the audience questions were right on task. Mark your calendars for the next Hazel Wolf Environmental Film Festival next March. Even better, keep an eye on their website for ongoing events.
