Tired of arguing about whose fault it is? Tired of doing nothing but watching the news and the depressing stories? Need to start moving in a positive direction?
Then this diary is for you. If you want to tell me that this is a waste of time, then give me some other path to follow. But give me a path.
"DYNAMIC, STIRRING...A MUST SEE AND NOT JUST FOR ENVIRONMENTALISTS"...We all know about ethanol, solar-and wind-generated power, hybrid engines and the like. But by the end of "Fuel," one might very well come out of the theater ready to invest in companies deriving energy from wood chips and algae, or growing food in vertical, inner-city farms.
- Tm Keogh, SEATTLE TIMES
Back in 2008, FUEL was reviewed by Andrew Ekud here at Daily Kos. He and I agree on many of the aspects of the film. Here is the most important one:
Perhaps the greatest strength of the film is in its ability to clearly, rationally explain the technological nuances of some of these solutions -- such as the ever-thorny difference between corn ethanol (bad) and cellulosic ethanol (better), as well as the promise of advanced biofuels from other sources (algae). The education on that pervasive technological wonder, the Diesel engine, is worth the price of admission alone.
Next month, on June 22nd, the film will be released on DVD. It's our chance to share with family, friends, and neighbors what you and I already know - that oil is a dead-end street. The great thing about this film is that it leaves you feeling empowered - it gives us practical, real life solutions that will make a difference. It will take mass numbers of people to jump on board, but with the spill in the Gulf of Mexico, we might actually get mass numbers of people to listen.
It's been a while since I first saw the film FUEL. My boys and I were so impressed we watched it twice in one week and then went back a third time to take more people. It's a film with solutions. It's not a feel good film - if you have kids younger than 11 or so, you may not want them to see it. My youngest, 10 years old when he saw the movie, was engaged throughout, had tons of questions, and was already aware of the most bothersome clips in the film. You see, his Dad is military and had already gone to the Middle East. My son already understood the connection between our oil addiction and his dad's deployment. But not all kids are ready for this conversation, so be prepared.
No, we can't just suck out the spilt oil that's coating the Gulf of Mexico and the wetlands of several Southern States. But we can prevent the next spill by taking away demand for oil. It is not as complicated as you might think. When demand for oil decreases, oil companies will start looking for other sources of revenue. We live in a capitalist society and that's just the way things work.
The producer of FUEL, Josh Tickell, leaves folks believing that they can make a difference:
Alter your transportation
Switch your school buses (this means biodiesel - watch the film before you have a cow)
Buy wind
Get solar
Invest in algae
Grow foods and trees - locally
Go carbon neutral
Conserve energy and increase efficiency
Educate yourself
Vote for "Non-Fossil" politicians
Yes, I know that most of you are already doing these things. And I know that some of you think this is a waste of time (watch the film). But is the rest of your family? How about your neighbors? How about all those Facebook friends?
We need our own DailyKos Action List.
First, super-easy, add the film to your Netflix queue!
Second, we need to get this film in our local neighborhoods. Take the time to contact your theatre and talk to the manager. Find out if they plan on showing the film for the DVD release. The timing for this is excellent, though sad. Use the current oil spill to convince theatre owners that people will pay to come and see this film. Or, host your own viewing at your own home, community center, library, etc. Here's the link to host an advance screening.
Third, let's push the White House to screen the film - I'm sure this would make an excellent movie night for our Commander-in-Chief. This one is simple, email The White House.
Fourth, recruit, recruit, recruit. I don't care if your mom doesn't allow politics at the dinner table or if your friends are die hard conservatives. This goes beyond politics. Our very way of life will change forever because of this oil spill. Let's make sure we make it change in a direction we can handle! Share it on Facebook and MySpace. Convince your mom, your dad, your sister, your brother to add this film to their Netflix queue. Once it shows up, I bet they watch it. Once they watch it, I bet they change something.
"SWEEPING AND EXHILARATING"...Tickell's passionate film goes beyond great storytelling; it rings out like a bell that stirs consciousness and makes individual action suddenly seem consequential.
- Caroline Libresco, THE SUNDANCE INSITUTE
What are you doing to lessen US demand for oil?