Ecology
A B C
D E F
G H I
J K L M N
O P Q
R S T
U V W X Y Z
"(The) 11th Hour with Leonardo DiCaprio" DVD
Humankind’s 11th hour is here: the
last moment when we can change course and stop our rush toward global
ecological collapse. Actor Leonardo DiCaprio produces and narrates this
urgent and transformational look at where we’ve been, where we’re
going and – most important – how we can change. Thinkers from Mikhail
Gorbachev to Stephen Hawking to sustainable-design expert William
McDonough and dozens more reveal the current, critical state of life on
planet earth. Astonishing images of floods, fires, hurricanes, collapsing
ice cliffs and growing mountains of waste juxtaposed with images of a
sustainable future urge us to take action. Will we employ exciting new
technologies and change our behavior to save our planet? The crisis is
now; but we do have the solutions to save this unique blue planet for
future generations. (2007/ 92 minutes/ English with English, French and
Spanish subtitles)
“All Our Relations”
A video prayer
honoring our oneness with all living things.
(6 minutes)
“Art of the Wild”
This video is based on interviews conducted with 14 writers of prose and
poetry during the time they were serving as faculty at the Art of the Wild
Conference in Squaw Valley, California. The nature writers express their
background, philosophy and deep devotion to the land and all its
inhabitants. Their comments are accompanied by inspiring visual images of
nature and wilderness. (57 minutes)
“The Awakening Universe” DVD
Based on the book, "The Universe Story" by cultural historian
Thomas Berry and Cosmologist Brian Swimme, this beautiful and inspiring
film takes us on the ultimate journey, from the very birth of the
Universe, through the arising of Galaxies, the formation of the Earth, the
emergence of life, and finally to the development of human
consciousness. This film shows how science, spirit and ancient
indigenous wisdom are now all converging to reveal that we stand in the
very heart of that which created us. An entirely new context for
human life is arising in our lifetime, with the potential to transform
forever our sense of separation, isolation, and alienation into one of
connection, commonality and communion. (2007/ 15 minutes)
“Behind the Green” DVD
and VHS
This documentary, produced by the Indigenous Peoples
Development Services, depicts the resistance of Khasi and Garo indigenous
peoples to government-sponsored Eco-Parks and their struggle to maintain
control over their ancestral homelands in Bangladesh. (33 minutes)
“Bioneers
2003: Blue Gold: Water as a
Human Right (Maude Barlow) & Restoring Life’s Fabric:
The Biological Bottom Line (David Suzuki)”
This video features Maude Barlow, national
chairperson of The Council of Canadians and author of Blue Gold,
describing the movement to guarantee a water-secure future based on
conservation, equity and the public good. (25 minutes)
Also included is David Suzuki, legendary biologist, conservationist,
broadcaster and author, who reminds us that the biosphere is the source of
everything that makes our lives and economy possible.
Economies perceived to be capable of eternal growth are undermining
the very life support systems of the planet.
(25 minutes)
“Bioneers
2003: Grounds for Hope,
Possibilities for Change (David Orr) & The World Social Forum &
New Challenges for International Grassroots Movements (Maria Luisa
Mendonça)”
David
Orr, the nation’s premier eco-educator, challenges
us to take a critical look at the way the U.S. government conducts public
business. In lieu of the
present political reality, he proposes a progressive agenda for the 21st
century. This agenda is not based on the traditional political divisions
of left vs. right, but a new politics that takes into consideration the
needs of present and future generations, and the well-being of the planet.
(25 minutes)
Maria Luisa Mendonça, an award-winning Brazilian
film director and human rights activist,
addresses the World Social forum’s role as a unique international
space for grassroots organizations to build alliances, and to develop
social and economic alternatives based on human rights and sustainable
development. (25 minutes)
"Blue Planet"
This video reveals the earth to us as the astronauts have seen it
from space. Orbiting two hundred miles above earth’s surface, familiar
land forms are visible. It shows how natural forces (volcanoes,
earthquakes, hurricanes, etc.) affect our planet; and how a powerful new
force, human beings, have begun to alter the face of the earth. Blue
Planet inspires a renewed appreciation of life on earth-our only home. (42
minutes)
“Bright Hopes and Cosmic Deceptions”
Gabriele Uhlein, OSF (keynote presentation, Sisters of Earth Conference 2000)
No compelling dream is without challenges and deceptions. As sisters of
earth, we work to bring about what Thomas Berry calls an Ecological Age.
This video examines the mythic dimensions of ecological action,
particularly the light and shadow of earth commitment. The presenter
asserts that, in our “spirituality” what matters most is matter —
our own full incarnation, and offers “mystical disciplines: for
befriending the earth. (60 minutes)
“Children and Nature: Awakening a Sense of Wonder”
Dr. Jane Goodall (narrator) believes it is essential that parents and
other mentors of children guide them to make meaningful connections with
the natural world. Joining her in expressing the importance of enabling
children to form a close relationship with nature are Dr. Sylvia Earle, a
world-renowned marine biologist and author of the book Sea Change; Lee
Cole, naturalist and children’s guide at Hidden Villa Farm and
Wilderness Preserve in California; and Jeff Rutherford, director of the
Marine Research Institute, a ship and shore program for children on San
Francisco Bay. (27 minutes)
“Chokoria Sundarban: A Forest Without Trees”
DVD
This program tells the true story of the destruction of
the Chokoria Forest in southeast Bangladesh. This mangrove forest covered
21,000 acres and was home to several species of wildlife; its rivers home
to diverse aquatic life. As shrimp began to be cultivated for export, life
for the people, as well as the forest, changed dramatically. (29 minutes;
available in Bengali and English)
“Clear-Mind Practice: Engaging the Mandate of the Great
Work”
Stephanie Kaza, Ph.D., M.Div. (keynote presentation, Sisters of Earth
Conference 2000) Thomas Berry maintains that our generation’s “great
work” is to transform the human relationship to the earth from
disruptive and destructive to gracious and benign. Kaza examines this
mandate from the perspective of Buddhist teaching. She asserts that our
current malign relationship to the earth is rooted in numbness due to
overstimulation, a habit of “dominating mind,” and rampant
overconsumption. In response, Buddhism offers compassion — grounded in
the experience of interbeing — and insight which is the fruit of
mindfulness. Together they produce the clear-mind practice which will
enable humans to reconceptualize our role in the universe and invent
ourselves. (60 minutes)
“Concierto Evolucion”
The Evolution of Networks Illustrates the dawning of creation, its abuse
by humans, and its rebirth through the actions of orchestra members and
their conductor. No dialogue, music and photography convey the message of
this video. (13 minutes)
"A Convenient Truth: Urban Solutions from Curitibia, Brazil"
(DVD)
This is an inspirational documentary aimed at sharing
ideas to provoke environment-friendly and cost-effective changes in cities
worldwide. The documentary focuses on innovations in transportation,
recycling, social benefits including affordable housing, parks, and the
processes that transformed Curitiba into one of the most livable cities in
the world. (2007/ 52 minutes)
“Deconstructing
Supper”
Chef John Bishop leads viewers on an eye-opening and
engaging journey into the billion-dollar battle to control global food
production. Starting with a gourmet meal in his five-star restaurant,
Bishop travels the world -- from farmer's fields to biotech laboratories
to supermarket aisles -- on a personal quest to find out what our food
choices are.
Chef
Bishop explores the politics and ethics of food, discovering that 70% of
processed foods on supermarket shelves in North America contain
genetically modified ingredients. Are there other, less risky ways to feed
ourselves? Watch this
interesting program to find the answer to this question.
(48 minutes)
“Diet for a New America: Your Health, Your Planet”
In this video, host John Robbins leads us on an eye-opening journey
through our American patterns of food consumption. In his early 20s, in an
effort to regain his failing health, Robbins turned away from the
family-owned Baskin-Robbins ice cream empire and a life of wealth to begin
researching nutrition and all aspects of American agriculture. After 10
years of investigation and a thorough look inside the U.S. food production
system, Robbins believes that people can make a difference in their health
and the well-being of the planet by educating themselves and choosing to
move toward a plant-based diet and a more caring and conscientious
lifestyle. (30 minutes)
"E2: Design (Season One)"
(2007, 6- 30 minute episodes)
Global in scope and comprised of six 30-minute
chapters filmed in HD, E2 ENERGY features the people, places and
innovations that suggest a more environmentally benign future is possible
and within reach. Equal parts visual style and storytelling acumen, each
episode stands alone while contributing to the larger dialogue the series
intends to promote.
EPISODE 1: Harvesting the Wind
In southwest Minnesota, wind energy is a burgeoning,
source of local power and income for farmers. Will the rest of the U.S.
follow Minnesota’s lead?
EPISODE 2: Energy for a Developing World
Founded by Nobel Peace Prize-winner Muhammad Yunus,
the Grameen Shakti organization distributes small solar systems and
portable bio-gas systems to rural Bangladeshis.
EPISODE 3: Paving the Way
In America alone, nearly 70 percent of oil is
consumed by the cars we drive. Can efficient automobile design mitigate
the environmental damage caused by our beloved cars?
EPISODE 4: Growing Energy
After the oil crisis in the 1970s, Brazil created a
domestic ethanol industry that is now thriving on all levels. What can we
learn from Brazil's extraordinary success with alternative energy?
EPISODE 5: State of Resolve
Could California's progressive energy policies,
including those that regulate greenhouse gas emissions, spearhead a
nationwide shift toward cleaner energy?
EPISODE 6: Coal and Nuclear - Problem or Solution?
New developments in carbon sequestration and improved
nuclear technologies may offer solutions to the world's increasing demand
for power.
PDF discussion guide also available.
E2: Design (Season Two) (2007, 6- 30 minute episodes)
Global in scope and comprised of six 30-minute
chapters filmed in HD, E2 DESIGN SEASON TWO features the designers and
drivers of change in the world of sustainable architecture. Equal parts
visual style and storytelling acumen, each episode explores the potential
of the built environment to help reverse our global climate crisis.
EPISODE 1 - THE DRUK WHITE LOTUS SCHOOL - LADAKH
Can the designers of the Druk White Lotus School in
remote Ladakh, India, help preserve the region's cultural identity for
future generations?
EPISODE 2: GREENING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
Could architect Thom Mayne's new San Francisco
Federal Building be the prototype for tomorrow's workplace?
EPISODE 3: BOGOTA-BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE CITY
Enrique Penalosa, the former mayor of Bogota,
Colombia, transformed one of the world's most chaotic cities into a model
of sustainable and civic-minded urban planning.
EPISODE 4: AFFORDABLE GREEN HOUSING
Third-generation developer Jonathan Rose puts
sustainable homes within reach of New Yorkers living in public housing.
EPISODE 5: ADAPTIVE REUSE IN THE NETHERLANDS
Dutch planners tap their innate design sensibility
and the industrial landscape to create a uniquely sustainable development
in Amsterdam’s abandoned dockyards.
EPISODE 6: ARCHITECTURE 2030
Architect-turned-activist Ed Mazria founded
Architecture 2030 to galvanize commitment to a carbon-neutral building
sector by the year 2030.
PDF Study guide available
"Earth Charter Initiative"
From the Earth Charter Initiative Costa Rica program. (10 minutes.
"Earth on Edge"
Filmed in collaboration with the World Resources Institute, this
PBS/Bill Moyers program assesses the state of the environment. Combining
interviews with leading scientists and reports from around the world,
Moyers explores the impact that human activities have had on the planet
while posing an urgent question: What is happening to earth’s capacity
to support nature and civilization? (2 hours)
“The Earth’s Imagination”
In this video series, cosmologist Brian Swimme places the human psyche
within the 15-billion-year cosmic process in order to highlight the
directions in which human consciousness is evolving today and into the
future. The series consists of eight programs; each program is
approximately 27 minutes in length.
Program titles:
1. Macrophase Transitions
2. Free Energy
3. Synergy
4. Birth of the Imagination
5. End of the Cenozoic
6. An Ocean of Energy
7. New Forms of Synergy
8. The Surprise of Cosmogenesis
"Eating With Conscience - Good For You!"
This video shows viewers the inhumanity of factory farms and the
devastating effects they have on both the animals and the environment. It
encourages viewers to do what is in their best interest: eat lower on the
food chain, reduce the amount of animal fat and dairy in their diets, and
ultimately to support an agriculture that is humane and ecologically
sound. (18 minutes)
"Ecopsychology: Restoring the Earth, Healing the Self”
“Ecopsychology represents an attempt to find ecology within the context
of human psychology,” says Theodore Roszak, “and, in turn, to find
human psychology within the context of ecology. This is a natural
synthesis that we are trying to bring about in the hope that it will
strengthen, broaden, and deepen both of these fields. . . . I simply take
this to be the richest, most dramatic and exciting intellectual enterprise
I’ve come across in years.” (26 minutes)
"Energy Crossroads: A Burning Need to Change Course"
As our global population and its appetite for energy
rise drastically, resource depletion and global climate change have become
the most pressing issues facing humanity today.
Scientists and experts agree that the use of renewable energy,
coupled with higher efficiency and conservation, will be key factors in
preserving our quality of life and paving the way to a sustainable world
for our children. Will America be up to the task as it consumes 25% of the
world's energy, 85% of which comes from non-renewable fossil fuels? (2007/
54 minutes)
"The Environment: A Historical Perspective"
This is the perfect companion video to the CJC/HCIJO brochure
"Earth at Risk." It shows how, from the earliest agricultural
settlements through the Industrial Revolution and the present widespread
urbanization, human activity has transformed the environment. But now,
with species disappearing, pollution on the rise, and human population
reaching astronomical proportions, how will the earth survive? In this
program Lester Brown, president of World Watch Institute, and other
academic experts present their perspectives on ecological sustainability
for the 21st century. (53 minutes)
"Exploring a New Cosmology"
Four-program set of reflections on the writings of Thomas Berry
and Brian Swimme
by Miriam Therese MacGillis, O.P.
Part 1: The technologies of our time have revealed to us a universe far
more vast and complex than anyone could previously imagine. In this new
understanding we will come to understand ourselves as the Universe
reflecting on itself. (40 minutes)
Part 2: The Universe is open enough for vast transformations, yet closed
enough to maintain its wholeness. This unity-within-diversity is expressed
in three governing themes: differentiation, subjectivity, and communion.
(26 minutes)
Part 3: The human community is slowly awakening to the extent of our
ecological crisis. We have two choices: continue to believe that humans
are separate from nature, or that we are embedded in it. These choices are
explored in Part 3. (31 minutes)
Part 4: Thomas Berry suggests that earth activities and dynamics must now
inform human activities such as nourishment, technology, healing,
education, government and the arts. With this earth context we will be
guided into the future by the four-fold wisdom of women, indigenous
people, the classical religions, and science. (51 minutes)
Flow DVD
Irena Salina’s award-winning documentary is an
investigation into what experts label the most important political and
environmental issue of the 21st century – The World Water
Crisis. Salina builds a case against the growing privatization of the
world’s dwindling fresh water supply with an unflinching focus on
politics, pollution, human rights, and the emergence of a domineering
world water cartel. Interviews with scientists and activist intelligently
reveal the rapidly building crisis, at both the global and human scale,
and the film introduces many of the governmental and corporate culprits
behind the water grab, while begging the question, can anyone really own
the water? Beyond identifying
the problem, this film also gives viewers a look at the people and
institutions providing practical solutions to the water crisis and those
developing new technologies, which are fast becoming blueprints for a
successful global and economic turnaround. (2008/84 minutes/English with
optional English subtitles)
"Fridays
at the Farm"
Feeling disconnected from their
food, filmmaker Hoffman and his family decide to join a community
supported organic farm. As Hoffman photographs the growing process, he
moves from passive observer to active participant in the planting and
harvesting of vegetables. Featuring lush time-lapse and macro
photography sequences, this personal essay is a filmmaker's meditation
on his blossoming family and community, and an inspiring testament to
the value of natural foods. (2006/ 19 minutes/ Iron
Weed Film Club)
“The
Future of Food”
“The Future of Food” offers an in-depth investigation into the disturbing
truth behind the unlabeled, patented, genetically engineered foods that
have quietly filled U.S. grocery store shelves for the past decade.
It examines the complex web of market and political forces that are
changing what we eat as huge multinational corporations seek to control
the world's food system. The film also explores alternatives to
large-scale industrial agriculture, placing organic and sustainable
agriculture as real solutions to the farm crisis today.
Also available in DVD format from the Iron
Weed Film Club Series (2004/ 88 minutes)
"Genesis" DVD
Life is amazing-see for yourself. Genesis takes a mystical,
beautiful look at life cycles on Planet Earth, from beginning to end and
in between. Claude Nuridsanay and Marie Perennou, creators of Microcosmos,
combine ingenious footage, a wise African narrator (Sotigui Koyate), an
eclectic score, and all creatures great and small to create a special film
that captivates kids and adults alike. (2004/ 81 minutes/ Iron
Weed Film Club)
“The Genetic
Takeover or Mutant Food”
This video examines an array of issues surrounding
genetically modified foods, including the science of gene manipulation,
the impact of GM goods on farmers and consumers, and differing public
responses to GM foods in Europe and North America.
Interviews with critics and researchers, such as Jeremy Ritkin and
Canada’s Michele Brill-Edwards, reveal the secretive nature of
for-profit biotechnology, and alert viewers to the dangers of inadequate
regulation. (52 minutes)
"Global
Warming: Science and Solutions" (DVD)
Our planet is warming. It is significantly warmer in
the 21st century than it was in the last third of the 20th
century. Indeed, four of the warmest years on record have occurred in this
century. Global warming is being driven by the unabated burning of fossil
fuels pouring CO2 into
the atmosphere. As the earth warms, dramatic climate shifts, both
regionally and worldwide, are on the rise. This 2-disc series examines the
science of global warming and presents viable solutions to the problem.
Understanding the scientific facts and implementing the necessary
solutions may be our last, best chance to save our planet.
Disc One: The Science of Global Warming; Disc Two: Global Warming-
Solutions (2006/ 58 minutes each disc)
Global Warming: The
Signs and the Science" DVD
This documentary profiles people who are living
with the grave consequences of a changing climate, as well as the
individuals, communities and scientists inventing new approaches to
safeguard our children's future. Filmed across the U.S., Asia and South
America, this program brings the reality of climate change to life and
offers viewers a variety of ways to make a difference in their own
communities. (60 minutes)
"Global Warming: Solutions – a documentary" DVD
The threat of global warming is as real as the threats
of terrorism, earthquakes, and poor health. We must think of our
endangered planet with the same urgency as these other threats. Many of us
do what we feel we can: buy a hybrid car, recycle, use compact fluorescent
bulbs, and we know it is not enough. This documentary demonstrates that
solutions are already here. We profile individuals and businesses that
have shifted their thinking from personal to global concerns.
We see what they are doing and how they have made that shift. We
discuss the difficulties they have faced as well as rewards they have
gained by living in practical, profitable, and responsible ways. It is our
hope that through these discussions we will provide role models for
change. (2008/55 minutes/English)
"Global Warning?" DVD
The History Channel® answers the question: after 650
million years of climate change, is global warming simply a naturally
occurring phenomenon, or the result of human activity?
Scientists explore the skies to examine the warming effects of the
sun and dig deep into Earth to study continental movement and volatile
activity at the planet’s core. Experts speculate on how natural events,
including volcanic eruptions and massive meteor impacts, have affected
temperatures and weather systems over the planet’s 4.5 billion-year
history. (2007/94 minutes/English)
"God’s Creation and Global Warming"
Global warming exists; it is a fact on which scientists agree. The
only area of disagreement is how to deal with it effectively. This video
invites people of all faiths to examine their relationship with creation,
to recognize its vulnerability, and to see the deep interconnectedness
between humans and creation. It challenges us to begin to address the
issue of climate change from a religious perspective. (14 minutes)
Narrated by Alanis Morissette and Keanu Reeves, The
Great Warming is a dramatic film about climate change
that sweeps around the world to reveal how a changing climate is
affecting the lives of people everywhere. It has been called
"the best film about global warming ever shot”, and taps into the
growing groundswell of public interest in this topic to present an
emotional, accurate picture of Earth. It includes hard-hitting
comments from scientists and opinion-makers about America’s lack of
leadership in what is certainly the most critical environmental issue of
the 21st century. (2006 / 1 hour 22 minutes)
“The Happy Box!”
Demonstrating that sustainable
agriculture is economically viable for farmers and beneficial to both
people and the environment, this brief film essay explores the
emerging popularity of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) and its
promise for the future. (2006/ 13 minutes/ Iron
Weed Film Club)
“The Hidden Heart of the Cosmos”
Written and narrated by physicist Brian Swimme, this video consists of
three different but related presentations. It is recommended that each
presentation be viewed and discussed separately.
Part 1: The Generosity of the Sun — Swimme discusses the question
of how humans lost their cosmological orientation as a result of the split
between science and religion. He asks, “How can we integrate our lives
with the life of the planet? What is the role of the human in the
universe?” To begin to explore these questions, he proposes we begin to
establish a new relationship with the sun, the star that holds the earth
and all life on earth in existence. Finally, he contrasts the tenets of
cosmology with our society’s preoccupation with consumerism. (27
minutes)
Part 2: Birthplace of the Universe — Galaxies, star clusters and
superclusters — tracing these back in time, scientists have found that
they all began from a single point. In that point is the birthplace of the
universe, the point where the cosmos began 15 billion years ago. In this
presentation Swimme discusses the principle of omnicentricity, the
universe’s own perspective on itself, where to be in existence is to be
at the center of the cosmic expansion. He helps us to place human history
as a “story within a story: the universe story.” (27 minutes)
Part 3: The All Nourishing Abyss — The foundation of the universe
is a mystery we can call an “empty fullness.” Even in the vacuum of
space, elementary particles have been found, pointing to the fact that the
universe boils with creativity. Swimme invites us to make room within
ourselves for the immensities of the universe and to live lives of
gratitude for the gift of existence. He cites the example of Albert
Einstein and the great genius’ reflections on the nature of the cosmos.
(25 minutes)
“Hooked on
Nature”
9-minute film in DVD format: An informative, inspiring resource video
articulating the prevention aspects of connecting kids to nature. We use
the word prevention in its broadest sense meaning that which helps kids
feel they belong and make positive choices for themselves. US Congressman
Elijah Cummings points out how we can give kids hoping skills, Jane
Goodall emphasizes the need for balance in children's lives and Dr. Dan
Morhaim highlights the physiological and psychological benefits of contact
with nature.
How to Save the World: One Man, One Cow, One Planet
This documentary exposes globalization and its mantra
of infinite growth in a finite world for what it really is: an
environmental and human disaster. But across India, marginal farmers are
fighting back. By reviving an arcane form of agriculture, they are saving
their poisoned lands and exposing the biocolonialism of multinational
corporations. "How to
Save the World" tells their story through the teachings of an elderly
New Zealander many are calling the new Gandhi.
What does an environmentally sustainable food system
capable of feeding everyone actually look like?
This film is a blueprint for a post-industrial future.
This film takes you into the heart of the world's most important
renaissance. The outcome of
the battle for agricultural control in India may just dictate this future
of the earth. (104 minutes)
"Images for Reflection"
When you can't escape to the great outdoors, "Images for
Reflection" brings the beauty of the natural world to you. In this
collection of seven video segments, tranquil music accompanies inspiring
sights and sounds highlighting: The Mystery and Magic of Water, a
Southwest Meditation, Our Nourishing Earth, A Day at the Wetlands, The
Song That Waits to be Learned, Kinship of All Life, and Earth's Children.
This video is designed as an inspirational tool for individual reflection
or for use in a conference or discussion group setting. Seven segments,
three to six minute s in length. Originally produced by the Foundation for
Global Community. (DVD, VHS & PAL)
“In
the Light of Reverence” DVD
Across the USA, Native Americans are struggling to
protect their sacred places. Religious
freedom, so valued in America, is not guaranteed to those who practice
land-based religion. In
the Light of Reverence tells the story of three indigenous communities
and the lands they struggle to protect:
the Lakota of the Great Plains, the Hopi of the Four Corners area,
and the Wintu of northern California.
(73 minutes)
Former Vice President Al Gore presents an eye-opening and compelling
view of the future of our planet - and our civilization - in the MUST-SEE
documentary of the year. This is a wake-up call that cuts through myths
and misconceptions to deliver the message that global warming is a real
and present danger. Gore makes a persuasive argument that we must act now
to save the earth. Each and every one of us can make changes in the way in
which we liver our lives and become a part of the solution. (96 minutes)
“Leasing the
Rain”
This excerpt from NOW with Bill Moyers tells
the story of water privatization in Cochabamba, Bolivia.
Based on research by New Yorker writer William Finnegan, the
segment describes the takeover of Cochabamba’s water by a subsidiary of
Bechtel and the deadly protests which followed Bechtel’s attempt to
“lease the rain.” (30
minutes)
“The Living Land”
Our complex, mechanized methods of growing food have resulted in increased
yields. It has also resulted in the loss of millions of acres of good soil
to pollution, erosion and an ever-growing population. There is an
increasing awareness of the need to change our perceptions about how we
grow our food and how we treat the land. This program features four
individuals on the frontier of this effort. (27 minutes)
“The Man Who Planted Trees” DVD
The Man Who Planted Trees tells the story of a solitary shepherd
who patiently plants and nurtures a forest of thousands of trees,
single-handedly transforming his arid surrounding into a thriving
oasis. Undeterred by two World Wars, and without any thought of
personal reward, the shepherd tirelessly sows his seeds and acorns with
the greatest care. As if by magic, a barren landscape grows green
again. A film of great beauty and hope, this story is a remarkable
parable for all ages and an inspiring testament to the power of one
person. (30 minutes/ animated)
"Mandi” DVD
The forests of Bangladesh are disappearing. In the land of the
Madhupur Tract, there is a struggle for survival amidst threats of ongoing
deforestation and the planting of exotic tree species. These
practices, which lead to the short-term economic betterment of the few,
are wreaking havoc on the the ecosystem and leaving destruction in their
wake. The Mandi, an indigenous people, are fighting for their land,
their culture, and their lives. (30 minutes, Bengali/English)
"National Geographic’s Human Footprint" DVD
Whether you’re a child who drinks milk or an adult
who enjoys a bottle of wine, this film takes a phase-by-phase journey
through life to illustrate the enormous imprint every American makes
during his or her time on Earth. Incorporating surprising facts with
playful visuals, this enlightening portrait reveals our level of
consumption – and the simple changes we can all make to reduce our
negative impact on the world. (2008/90 minutes/English)
"National Geographic: Six Degrees
Could Change the World"
In a special broadcast event National Geographic
explores the startling theory that Earths average temperature could rise
six degrees Celsius by the year 2100. In this amazing and insightful
documentary National Geographic illustrates one poignant degree at a time
the consequences of rising temperatures on Earth. Also learn how existing
technologies and remedies can help in the battle to dial back the global
thermometer. (2007/ 90 minutes)
“National Geographic's Strange Days on
Planet Earth” DVD
Around the globe, experts are racing to solve a series of mysteries: how
could a one-degree rise in average temperature have profound effects
around the globe? How could crumbling houses in New Orleans be linked to
voracious creatures from southern China? Hosted by actor-writer-director
Edward Norton, the award-winning series uses state-of-the-art graphics,
cutting-edge research and globe-spanning investigations to understand how
our environment is changing and why. It's a high-tech detective story,
revealing clue by clue how seemingly disparate events are connected and
ultimately how they affect life on Earth. This 2-disc set contains all 4
episodes of the National Geographic series.(2005/ 220 minutes)
“One”
This video with music, images, and a few brief words, is designed to
inspire in each one of us a profound sense of interdependence and
interconnectedness to all life. (10 minutes)
“Planet Earth" DVD
The complete BBC series, 5 disc set. Narrated by David Attenborough
From the creators of Blue Planet: Seas of Life comes this epic series
celebrating the earth as never before. With an unprecedented production
budget, using high definition photography and revolutionary ultra high
speed cameras, five years in the making, over 200 days in the field, using
40 cameramen across 200 locations, Planet Earth is the ultimate portrait
of our planet. This stunning television experience captures rare action,
impossible locations and intimate moments with our planet's best loved,
wildest and most elusive creatures. From the highest mountains to the
deepest rivers, Planet Earth takes you to places you've never been to
experience sights and sounds never before captured on film. Prepare to be
overwhelmed by the beauty and majesty of Planet Earth. (2006/ 660
minutes/English with Subtitles in French and Spanish)
“Planting Seeds"
This delightful short film
follows elementary students in the award winning school gardening
program of the Santa Monica-Malibu School District in California as
they eagerly tell their stories, showing us how they plant, tend,
harvest, and yes, even eat, their fruits and veggies! The students
learn where their food really comes from, and in the process develop a
deeper connection to the natural world. (1999/ 8 minutes/ Iron
Weed Film Club)
“A Quiet Revolution” DVD
This documentary shows real-life examples of
individuals and groups turning around potential environmental disaster
through committed and creative efforts in their local communities.
A Quiet Revolution stresses the interconnectedness of all
people, and includes interviews with people who have initiated grass-roots
movements in India, Slovakia and Kenya.
(25 minutes)
“Reclaiming
Water”
In March 2003, thousands of people participated in the
Third World Water Forum in Kyoto, Japan.
An enormous trade show, the WWF is also an opportunity for
transnational corporations and governments to present far-reaching
strategies for managing and financing water.
This is the story of the grassroots activists who also attended,
determined to present alternatives. (35 minutes)
Renewal: Stories from America’s Religious-Environmental Movement
This is the first feature-length documentary to
capture the breadth and vitality of America's religious-environmental
movement. In rural communities, suburbs and cities, people of faith are
rolling up their sleeves in practical and far-reaching ways. Offering a
profound message of hope, this film shows individuals and communities
driven by the deepest source of inspiration - their spiritual and
religious convictions - being called to re-examine what it means to be
human and how we live on this planet.
Painting an honest picture of how much work will be needed to stem
the tide of environmental devastation, its compelling characters and
stories inspire the vision and commitment that addressing the challenge
will require. (2007/ 90 minutes)
“The Sacred
Balance”
This four part series is described as a vision of humanity’s place in
the future.
Journey into New Worlds: In the opening episode, David Suzuki begins a personal
journey – an exploration of science and spirit that rediscovers the
human place in nature.
The Matrix of Life: David
Suzuki travels around the world, exploring our intimate relationship with
water and air and is introduced to the Hindu worldview that sees water,
air and all life on Earth as part of a matrix.
The Fire of Creation: All life on Earth is forged in the furnace of the sun, and
throughout the ages, human beings have revered this sacred flame.
In this episode, David discovers that the findings of science
amplify that reverence.
Coming Home:
Home is with our “family.”
But our family is far larger than we realize.
We’re at home in the human community and in the biosphere, close
relatives of every living thing. We
are all creatures of the living Earth.
(4 hours for all 4 episodes)
"Sacred Land, Scarred Land"
Around the world the lands of Aboriginal peoples are being
exploited for resources and polluted by industrial wastes. In some cases
the people are being displaced, their health is at risk, and their
spiritual and cultural connections to their land are threatened. This
video visits four communities to hear first-hand the stories of their
struggles to maintain their land rights, livelihoods and cultural
identities in the face of corporate intrusion. (18 minutes)
“Seeds of
Change”
This excerpt from NOW with Bill Moyers describes
how genetically modified corn is changing global agriculture.
The program covers a spectrum of opinions as correspondent Mark
Shapiro talks with Mexican farmers whose crops have been GM-contaminated,
researchers breeding medicines into good, and scientists warning that GM
goods are a dangerous “genie out of the bottle.”
(25 minutes)
“A Sense of Place”
In the act of honoring the connection and dependency we have with the
whole web of life lies the possibility of a deep and abiding communion.
If, as author Wendell Berry has written, “you can’t know who you are
until you know where you are,” then the process of discovering and
achieving a sense of place may be the most important step in our life’s
journey. This program is based on interviews with five individuals who are
exploring this frontier. Narrated by Susan Sarandon. (28 minutes) DVD and
VHS
Six Degrees Could Change the World
See National
Geographic's: Six Degrees Could Change the World for description.
“Strong Roots, Fragile
Farms”
This made-for-television documentary is produced
by Justice and Witness Ministries of the United Church of Christ and the
National Council of Churches. The program explores the real-life impact of
globalization upon today's farm families in the United States, the
Philippines, and Mexico. Strong Roots...moves beyond statistics to put a
human face on a crisis that impacts us all—globalization.
(58 minutes)
Global corporations are rapidly buying up local water
supplies. Communities suddenly lose control of their most precious
resource. This documentary reveals how water is the catalyst for
explosive community resistance to globalization. This video provides
a piercing look at the conflict between public stewardship and private
profit. It's a great way to learn more about the world's freshwater
crisis and our most recent corporate stand issue.
(62 minutes)
"Three
Microbes or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Problems” DVD
A DVD animation inspired by the works of William
McDonough and Michael Braungart (The Next Industrial Revolution). A trio
of Earth's liveliest creatures -- Phyllis, Aaron, and Cooper --share their
journey through three great turning points in the history of life on
Earth. This lively animation gives us a microbe's view of how ecological
problems can become opportunities for creativity if we simply follow
Nature's design principles. 8.26 minutes. Suitable for all ages. Produced
by the Foundation for Global Community.
“Thomas
Berry: The Great Story”
As a pioneer in the field of spirituality and ecology,
Thomas Berry has created a quiet revolution.
At the heart of the film is Berry’s experience of the universe as
a cosmic liturgy. He reminds
us that “we are not a collection of objects but a communion of
subjects.” His values are
rooted in this sacred cosmology which includes the entire natural world.
As Berry says, “I am not myself without everything else.”
(49 minutes)
"Too
Hot Not to Handle” DVD
Over the past 100 years, the mass consumption of fossil fuels,
especially in America, has contributed to a dangerous global warming that
is now beginning to adversely impact our lives - and promises to do far
greater damage if we continue to ignore its warning signs. This cautionary
documentary offers a guide to the impacts of global warming on the U.S. -
and measures that can be taken to reverse this trend.(2006 / 54 minutes /
English and Spanish)
"Turtle
World” DVD
A
lone sea turtle travels through space, her breath creating a whole new
atmosphere. This becomes filled with forests, rivers, mountains and
enterprising monkeys...so enterprising that they are forced to learn about
sustainability the hard way. (1996/
Animated/ 9 minutes)
“The Unfolding Story”
From ancient times, there have been storytellers passing on wisdom to
those whose footsteps would follow in the path of life. In this new
program, scientists, authors, religious leaders, native people, and other
visionaries relate the story that is now unfolding of an interconnected,
interdependent, living universe. Narrated by Mike Farrell. (29 minutes)
“Water: Sacred and Profaned” DVD
This video explores the sacred nature of the gift of water, which
surrounds us and envelops our lives and the lives of every living thing.
In this program, six men and women — naturalists, authors, poets and
ecologists — share their insights about water, the most abundant and
fundamental element of the earth. Throughout the program are compelling
images of water in all its forms — clouds, snow, rain, ice, rivers,
lakes and oceans — culminating in a four-minute montage of beauty set to
the music of David Foster. (27 minutes)
“Water Voices”
DVD
This is a seven part series (on one DVD) of stories
(22 minutes each) about people who found local solutions to the worsening
water crisis in Asia and the Pacific.
- Waibulabula:
Living Waters (Fiji Islands)
- Walking
for Water (India)
- The
Connection (Cambodia)
- Upstream
Downstream (Thailand)
- Hidden
Paradise (Philippines)
- Water
Tomorrow (Tonga)
- Breaking
Barriers (Bangladesh)
“Wonder”
This video reminds us that we must not only take time to see where we are
going, but also take time to see where we are ...to appreciate the
magnificent gift we have been given, the place where we are learning to
live together. This meditative video invites us to truly marvel, wonder at
and appreciate the earth. (7 minutes)
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