EnviroSpeak.tv at 'White Center Energy Festival' (Seattle)

The EnviroSpeak team spent a beautiful sunny day in the White Center district just outside of Seattle at the White Center Energy Festival which was  part of the Green Jobs Now National Day of Action. Green Jobs Now, along with the Moontown Foundation, put on a great event that was well attended and after a morning breakfast and some stretches the first wave of volunteers went out in to the White Center community. Volunteers knocked on doors, handed out environmentally friendly gift bags, and told residents about why green jobs are important. Volunteers were also out collecting signatures for a petition to let Washington state politicians know that people are tired of environmental degradation and are ready for proactive environmental solutions that give jobs to Americans everywhere. Pictures here.

Back at the Green Jobs Now staging area there was food, entertainment, prize draws and speeches from organizers and local community members. As a second wave of volunteers went out in to the White Center community, residents began to come in to check out the entertainment and the many informative booths that were set up. EnviroSpeak had a booth of our own, and we were on hand for the whole day taking pictures, video, and interviewing organizers and volunteers alike. There are already some great pictures of the event up here, and video will be following shortly, so stay tuned!

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EnviroSpeak Attends Social Venture Initiative:

Fresh off a whirl wind trip to Asia, EnviroSpeak was invited to attend the 14th annual Social Venture Initiative at Hollyhock on Cortez Island BC. "SVI offers the mission-based entrepreneur an opportunity to share challenges, successes, and experiences with peers in an atmosphere of trust and goodwill." The event was sponsored by Renewal Partners and the natural retreat atmosphere provided an ideal setting for like-minded social entrepreneurs to meet and discuss business opportunities, funding and problem solving strategy. The event was unique in itself, and EnviroSpeak looks forward to attending in greater capacity next year.

Although the event attracted a roster of social enterprises from all industries, here is a list of fellow start-ups from SVI looking to impact social change through the web:

Dreambank.org WatchForChange.com Birocreative.com TheRealNews.com

Givemeaning.com Sawaglobal.com Reelyouth.ca

For more information on this great event you can join the SVI group on Facebook, or download a participant list here.

 

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UK Climate Camp More Than Just a Protest

Climate Camp was about more than just a protest - it was a movement of people from all walks of life uniting to learn about, share amongst, grow with and defend the only planet we have.  I first arrived at the camp feeling, jet lagged, lost, miserable, wet- and discouraged because of the constant police raids.  But soon I found myself  less of an outsider and more of a member of an amazing community. The police presence meant that what we were doing was important – so important it threatened the state – and not in a “terrorist” way but in a way in which only mass movements can. It threatened the approach the government was taking to climate change and environmental policies – a large voice demanding change.  Just like the great movements throughout history- people hold the key.  This was a movement loud enough to be heard and admired around the world- I for one, as a Canadian am humbled to have graced the camp and protested amongst some of the UK’s finest citizens:  Those who stand up for not only their own rights, but for the rights of all mankind.

The camp was filled with many interesting learning opportunities around sustainable living, alternative energy, and learning how to take direct action.  It was organized by no-one and organized by everyone. It was based on the most idealistic form of equity and ancient greek democracy- only unlike the real world, for the most part… it worked.  People worked together well, spoke their mind and kept the camp running smooth with security, onsite jobs, and cooking, event planning and more.  The day of mass action, where 4 groups went by foot, air, water and, as spectators, to take over Kings Coal powerstation was most impressive.

After organizing groups and training  each individual action tactics on how exactly to be successful in each action, how to deal with the police, and understanding their legal rights- it was time to head out.  Every group had a plan that was coordinated with the main headquarters using internet, radio and mobile technology.  A group of campers stayed back to “guard” the base and assist with logistics.  Every person had a job and every individual was accounted for.

It was like watching an organized military operation.  The map of the area was blown up and each group was marked on the map. Every 15 minutes new updates about each team was posted.

The outcome? They made it inside the plant and “shut down” the electrical fences around KingsNorth.

As I got on the train and headed back to London, I fell into a hypnotic reflection of all that I had endured at the camp.  Smiling faces that were genuinely concerned for my well being, a community working together, a corporate less area where designer jeans were only important if they were clean.  This amazing reflection clashed with the harsh symbols of our society very quickly when some young kids behind me paraded around in their finest and discussed their next purchase.  Leaning against the window in the train, I recall a hazy collection of bright, flashy colors and brands passing by me on billboards making my eyes burn- I felt for one moment invisible to my surroundings and as if I was the oracle off of the matrix and could see the world around me shatter from overconsumption, neglect and denial. 

As I walked through the train station I felt as though I was suffocating – constant advertisements, people holding shopping bags – carrying on like they had no clue that an amazing group of people stood up for them while they were busy consuming…  All of them somewhat curious about me- unclean with camping gear and a dazed looked in my eyes.  But what could I expect? This is the force we are up against. To get the nonbelievers to take action.  To realize if we do not drastically change the way we live within the next 100 months what we fear and we have been warned will become more than just a vivid nightmare but our own impossible reality.  After much reflection and enlightenment I boarded a plane to New York.- My actions too need to change.

- Nicole

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EnviroSpeak Joins Climate Camp 2008 in the UK

This is Nicole from EnviroSpeak.tv reporting live from Climate Camp UK.  I arrived to the Climate Camp train station pick-up just in time to meet one of the last shuttle vans to the camp.  There was quite the welcome to the camp as soon as I arrived in Strood. Everything seemed to be very positive, but we were quickly warned about police searches and how to deal with the authorities should they persist against the demonstration. The warning soon became reality with cops stopping every person as they attempted to enter the camp. Markers, clips, computers and any form of “riot” material were confiscated.  As a lone Canadian amongst a sea of eco-Brits I was searched rather lightly. After being searched by the police I managed to jump in and blend with a mass off people. I was part of a parade up to the camp entrance with a caravan of other protestors who had just arrived by foot and bike all the way from London.   

It was pouring rain when I arrived and I was jet lagged after a 10 hour flight from Vancouver, and without a tent or an “official home.”  The camp is divided into different communities based on locality here in the UK.  Westside, Eastside, London, Scotland etc.  People are grouped together so people cam meet and re-unit with camp participants from last year and continue planning environmental initiatives together for their respective actual communities.  The idea emphasizes the “think globally, act locally” ideology that is integral to creating change.  In addition to the communities, there is also a media tent (where I am located), a legal tent, entertainment tents, wash centers (solar showers), a movie tent and some showcase tents where I assume sustainable living solutions will soon be displayed.

I finally managed to get some sleep but I was quickly woken at 5:30 am this morning to a police raid. The police attempted to gain access to the camp and this continued all day long until the authorities surrounded the entire camp.  A helicopter was scouting the camp for entrances and the police attempted to penetrate the camp perimeter from all entrances.  The campers were peaceful in their approach. They calmly gathered in front of the police.  All the campers seemed to be well trained in peaceful protesting. Hands were raised in the air and many protesters sat down to barricade the entrances but the police persisted. Finally police entered the camp to provoke confrontation, or to intimate the rest of the people, from joining the camp.  

None of this seemed to make any sense. Why would the police waste so much manpower and resources attempting to infiltrate the camp? Did they not have anything better to do than provocate a bunch of environmental protestors? It seems they endured a larger loss than us - we lost of a bit of productivity fighting the police but other than that there was adverse effects of their efforts. People are here to learn about the environment, to study new techniques and solutions and listen to a wide range of seminars.  This is a cause that all can relate to- if we do not do something now, it will be too late.  Hopefully tomorrow the police can leave the camp so that people can actually do what they came here for which is to learn how we can correct our actions ad save this planet.

- Nicole

 

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Nicole Introduces EnviroSpeak to UVIC:

EnviroSpeak's Creative Director Nicole Sorochan was invited to introduce EnviroSpeak to the senior film class at the University of Victoria this past week. In attendance were some of UVIC's most talented film students all of whom expressed deep interest in the site and project. Nicole spoke on the power of new media and it's ability to influence mass change. She also enlightened the crowd with advice on new media film distribution, international collaboration and film strategies for the web. This presentation marks the first of many guest lectures that the EnviroSpeak team is planning across Canada and the US. For more information on guest lectures please contact nicole@envirospeak.tv

Blog Roll

It's Getting Hot In here

Fired Up Media

Climate Camp UK 2008

Un Campement

EcoDoc Festival

Green Jobs Now

Moontown Foundation

Setenergy.org