We're on CNN!

A clip from our video from World Climate Day (see the October 24 post, below) was used in the CNN coverage of the event! How amazing is that? We uploaded the video shortly after we got home from the event, to the site of the group that organized the world-wide events - 350.org. Our clip is the one with the girl (name unknown!) holding up a climate action bumper sticker. That's my music playing underneath. On CNN. (!)

It is very inspiring to see how 350.org managed to organize this world wide event using social media and the internet and to see the power of positive connection that can happen between people as a result.

World Climate Action Day

Bridge to a Cool Planet

Today, over 5200 events were held around the world - from Africa to Australia to Asia to Canada and every place in between. In over 150 countries, people around the globe stood up to be counted on climate change, telling our leaders that we must ratify the climate change treaty in Copenhagen in December in order to save our planet. This is the biggest event ever held in the world. People all around the world are united in our desire to take action on climate change.

Let yourself be counted. Check in at www.350.org for the next opportunity to get involved.

In Vancouver, the action was called Bridge to a Cool Planet.

Music for the ocean....

Recently I had the good fortune to be able to offer some of my music, which had literally been sitting on the shelf for years, to the service of the ocean.

My friends photographer Chris Jordan, cinematographer Jan Vozelinek and filmmaker Bill Weaver took a journey to Midway Island, smack in the middle of the Pacific Ocean on the other side of the world. They were there to document, with a writer and a poet, the massive amount of plastic that is in a place so far from civilization that there should be no plastic at all.

I met Chris, Jan and Bill at the Media That Matters Conference at Hollyhock in May, I realized that I wanted to give more of my music in service to social change. As I listened to the tweets of their journey, I realized they might be able to use some more music, and I had a whack of mine which had literally been sitting on the shelf for years.

The cinematography is breathtaking, belying the tragedy all around. Enjoy the videos, then read more about the Journey to Midway.

Video by Jan Vozenilek. Music by Vanessa LeBourdais.

Video by Bill Weaver. Cinematography by Jan Vozenilek. Voiceover by Chris Jordan. Interviewee: Matt Brown. Music by Vanessa LeBourdais.

Video by Jan Vozenilek. Music by Vanessa LeBourdais.

What principals & teachers think about ReThink

Now in its twelfth hit year, ReThink teaches kids about reducing, reusing, recyling and composting. Here's what teachers and principals have to say:

Reel Youth at the Vancouver International Film Festival

Our buddy Mark Vonesh from Reel Youth talks about the success of the launch of their films at the Vancouver international Film Festival, at a party that Mark and I co-hosted last night. What a blast! Folks from several social change conferences at Hollyhock were there, including Media That Matters, Social Venture Institute, Web of Change as well as of course the Reel Youth crew.

This took place at the home of the ever-gracious Joel and Dana Solomon. I call them gracious because in fact they weren't even home but entrusted us with their space. (Many many thanks to you both, and to Lynn and Carla from Renewal for helping keep things sane!)

This is the first party for a hundred people I've ever hosted at someone else's home who wasn't even there. Wait a minute. This is the first party for a hundred people I've ever hosted, and the first party I've ever hosted at someone else's house, and etc. Actually, I felt very honoured to do it.

Warning: the iPod Nano these videos were shot with did not handle the party noise well. (You might want to turn down your volume before playing!)

TCK in a Box

Check out this great site - a movement to engage citizens across the world to speak up about climate change. Sign up now - it's easy. And there are inspiring videos, news, etc. too.

DreamRider Theatre on the road!

Never-before seen, behind-the-scenes footage of our intrepid actors as they tour "Keep Cool! a play about climate change".