Eco-Movie: Earthlings

Synopsis:

"EARTHLINGS is an award-winning documentary film about the suffering of animals for food, fashion, pets, entertainment and medical research. Considered the most persuasive documentary ever made, EARTHLINGS is nicknamed “the Vegan maker” for its sensitive footage shot at animal shelters, pet stores, puppy mills, factory farms, slaughterhouses, the leather and fur trades, sporting events, circuses and research labs. The film is narrated by Academy Award® nominee Joaquin Phoenix and features music by platinum-selling recording artist Moby. Initially ignored by distributors, today EARTHLINGS is considered the definitive animal rights film by organizations around the world. “Of all the films I have ever made, this is the one that gets people talking the most,” said Phoenix. “For every one person who sees EARTHLINGS, they will tell three.”

The film Earthlings contains
images of graphic violence to animals.
Viewer discretion is advised.

Source:
www. Earthlings.com

Thank you Katherine, an Ecodeaf member, for recommending the film.

Creating Art and being Eco-Friendly

As I have integrated eco-living into my life, I have faced an interesting dilemma in how to be earth-friendly as I create art.

I recently created New Year's cards, something that I have never done before, and I felt inclined to do so because I was trying out a new art technique. Of course, I wanted to share these cards with friends and I opted to do it the old-fashioned way to revive the lost art of letter writing. I sent them out via snail mail.

To compensate for creating carbon footprints by having them copied and sent out, I had them copied on 100% recycled paper. I did not feel satisfied with how I was trying to offset my footprint, but they went out in the mail nevertheless. I hope when recipients were ready to discard their card (I'd be flattered if they wanted to keep them tacked to the fridge), it went into their recycle bin or is shredded and put in the compost bin.

I've questioned myself about how an artist can be "green" without sacrificing quality, or paying lots of money. I deal with that question as I work with oil paint, turpentine, and other art materials laced with ingredients impossible to spell.

Do I switch to art materials created with natural ingredients? What may be the best way to dispose of them or to switch over to natural ingredients without losing quality? Over the next couple of months, I will try to find out more about this and how I can feel content both with what I create, and how I dispose of waste products, and I will post what I find.

If any of you have insight on this - feel free to share!

Volunteer Registration is Open for the 2009 DC Green Festival!

Washington, DC Green Festival
October 10-11, 2009
WDC Convention Center

REGISTER TO VOLUNTEER:

www.greenfestivalvolunteers.org/dc

*Please note: if you volunteered last year you will have to re-register for an account on our website. You may use the same account information from the previous year, but you must re-register because all accounts are cleared from the system each year. Thank you!

The sixth year of the DC Green Festival is shaping up to be amazing! We invite you to volunteer with us this year and help make the Green Festival another success!

Green Festival relies on the support of over 1,000 volunteers! Volunteers not only receive great benefits, like free admission, an exclusive organic cotton staff t-shirt, and free memberships-volunteers become a part of a huge community of people that utilize civic involvement to make an impact on social and environmental justice. Join the Green Festivals volunteer team and you’ll really make a difference!

Volunteers must complete one 4.5-5 hour shift, but are encouraged to volunteer for two or three shifts. Volunteers receive free admission to the event for both days, an exclusive staff organic cotton t-shirt, optional free one-year membership to Global Exchange and Green America, and 10% off at the Global Exchange and Green Festivals Stores!

If you have a group that would like to volunteer, please contact Alesha Reardon, volunteer@greenfestivals.org, to arrange for a group time slot. Group slots tend to fill up quickly, so please consider contacting us early!

Please note that our age restrictions have changed this year. We are only allowing volunteers 14 or older to volunteer. Volunteers between the ages 14-16 must volunteer with an adult. If you have any questions or concerns, please email
volunteer@greenfestivals.org

Join us on Facebook! We now have a DC Green Festival volunteer page on Facebook-join us year round as we collaborate, communicate and organize: www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=59392583472

If you have any questions about volunteering, or are interested in joining our pre-event volunteer Street Team to help get the word out about the festival and volunteering please contact Alesha Reardon at volunteer@greenfestivals.org

Looking forward to my fourth DC Green Festival and working with all of you!

Green regards,

Alesha Reardon
National Volunteer Director
volunteer@greenfestivals.org

Still not sure about volunteering?
Read about Anthony's positive Green Festival 2008 volunteer experience here