Every day, we are bombarded with dystopic images of an ecologically and socially ravaged future, one in which there is no hope for a sustainable society. And to be sure, there are urgent and devastating crises that threaten humanity and the incredible array of life that shares our planet -- global warming, toxic pollution, over-consumption, unraveling ecosystems, war, pestilence, corporate control, terrorism, Big Brother-like police states, citizen surveillance, technological convergence, pestilence, pandemics -- the list goes on.
But this depressing future is not inevitable. Positive alternatives --technological, ecological, economic and social -- are often overshadowed by the dominant narrative repeated continuously by corporate media, so-called experts, politicians, filmmakers, those on the left and right of the political spectrum, and even environmental and social change groups. But change can be seen on the Internet, where blogs and other formats have given a voice to anyone who wants one: Vox populi in the 21st century.
We want to tell the stories of hope that are every day drowned by the bad news. During our year traveling the globe, environmental organizer and filmmaker Lisa Archer and writer and editor Marc Ethier will offer these stories in video/story packages for use on the Friends of the Earth Web site and/or magazine, to include: edited, stylized four- to five-minute videos featuring interviews with difference-makers; an accompanying background story, written in magazine journalism style, of between 2,000-5,000 words; photos of the impacted communities and environment; and audio files with further concomitant interviews.
Our subjects will vary widely in occupation and inspiration. We plan to visit between 20-30 countries on four continents spanning the globe and its many ecosystems, where we will profile former Goldman Award winners, activists and organizers, organic farmers, ecological entrepreneurs, scientists, faith leaders, sustainable developers, journalists and writers, and any individual or group whose story and accomplishments demonstrate that with hope, dedication, passion, vision and compassion, humankind -- and the creatures that share our planet -- have a healthy, positive future.
Marc and Lisa's adventures as they travel around the world looking for positive stories of environmental and social change can be followed at www.2headedturtle.com.
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