Schedule of Films & Lectures
WEDNESDAY JANUARY 31, 2007
Wednesday January 31 -- 1:00 p.m.
The End of Suburbia
Directed by Gregory Greene
Running Time: 78 min.
Suburbia. It has promised a sense of space, affordability, family life and upward mobility. But how long can this urban sprawl last? As oil becomes more and more expensive, it will become economically infeasible to have millions of people having their homes tens of miles from where they work and entertain themselves, and suburbs now thought of as paradise will become slums, where the only way to subsist is turning once green and over-fertilized lawns into vegetable gardens. How can we prevent this from happening? What must be done NOW, individually and collectively, to avoid The End of Suburbia?
Wednesday January 31 -- 3:30 p.m.
Power Shift
Directed and Produced by Kirk Bergstrom
Running Time: 26 min.
Hosted and narrated by Cameron Diaz, Power Shift explores the abundant possibilities of clean, renewable energy. This beautiful, inspiring program travels the world to discover how energy touches our daily lives. Power Shift offers specific action steps that viewers can take to create a sustainable future.
Wednesday January 31 -- 4:00 p.m.
An Inconvenient Truth
Directed by Davis Guggenheim
Running time: 96 min.
Speaker: Tina Weishaus, environmental activist.
Former Vice President Al Gore explains the facts of global warming, presents arguments that the dangers of global warning have reached the level of crisis, and addresses the efforts of certain interests to discredit the anti-global warming cause. Between lecture segments, Gore discusses his personal commitment to the environment, sharing anecdotes from his experiences. This passionate and inspirational look at one man's commitment to expose the myths and misconceptions that surround global warming and inspire actions to prevent it.
With 2005, the worst storm season ever experienced in America just behind us, it seems we may be reaching a tipping point - and Gore pulls no punches in explaining the dire situation. Interspersed with the bracing facts and future predictions is the story of Gore's personal journey: from an idealistic college student who first saw a massive environmental crisis looming; to a young Senator facing a harrowing family tragedy that altered his perspective; to the man who almost became President but instead returned to the most impassioned cause of his life - convinced that there is still time to make a difference.
Wednesday January 31 – 7:00 p.m.
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Stephen Pacala, the Frederick D. Petrie Professor in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, and Director, Princeton Environmental Institute.
Professor Pacala will present a powerpoint and speak about climate change and global warming. Professor Pacala co-directs the Carbon Mitigation Initiative, working to understand all aspects of the global carbon cycle. The group is composed of ecologists, physical and biological oceanographers, and atmospheric scientists, and investigates issues ranging from the effects of global vegetation on climate, to the large-scale measurement of natural and anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. In the August 13th issue of Science, Stephen Pacala and Robert Socolow of MAE and Princeton Environmental Institute, published a paper identifying 15 existing technologies that could each prevent 1 billion tons a year worth of carbon emissions by 2054.
More information & resources on climate change
THURSDAY FEBRUARY, 2007
Thursday February 1 – 11:00 a.m.*
Fusion: Fueling the Future
* Student groups are invited to the presentation, please reserve by calling (609)924-9529 ext. 247. The talk is also open to a general audience, space permitting.
Speaker: Janardhan Manickam, Ph.D., Head of the Theory Department, Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory
Talk title: Fusion: Responsible Energy for the Future of Mankind:
The world's energy needs are expected to double over the next thirty years. The present approach of reliance on hydrocarbon based fuels is neither sustainable, nor desirable in the long term. The reasons include availability, emissions and environmental impact. The world needs a "responsible" energy source, which offers: universal availability, reasonable cost, low environmental impact, manageable emissions and waste, with growth potential and safety. Fusion has the potential of meeting this need. The status of the fusion program will be discussed.
Dr. Janardhan Manickam is the Head of the Theory Department at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL). He is a Principal Research Scientist who has been at PPPL since 1975. He is the co-author of more than 150 publications in refereed journals. He is a Fellow of the American Physical Society and a past chair of the International Sherwood Committee. Dr. Manickam received a B.S. in physics from Osmania University, Hyderababd, India; an M.S. in nuclear physics from Andhra University, Waltair, India; and a Ph.D. in physics from Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, New Jersey.
Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) is a collaborative national center for plasma and fusion science. The Laboratory is managed by Princeton University and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science. An associated mission for PPPL is to provide the highest quality science education in fusion energy, plasma physics, and related technologies.
Thursday February 1 -- 4:00 p.m.
Oil on Ice
Directed by Bo Boudart and Dale Djerassi
Running Time: 56 min.
A vivid, compelling and comprehensive documentary connecting the fate of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to decisions America makes about energy policy, transportation choices, and other seemingly unrelated matters. Caught in the balance are the culture and livelihood of the Gwich’in people and the migratory wildlife in this fragile ecosystem.
"Moving, lucid and aptly told, Oil on Ice is quite simply the best documentary to date on the [Arctic National Wildlife Refuge] issue." - Art Goodtimes The Telluride Watch
Speaker: Alex Salzman, co-founder of rethos.com,
a social-networking Web site devoted to uniting individuals, non-profit organizations, and socially responsible business on social and environmental issues. As a platform for change, rethos.com enables members to be informed via comprehensive multi-media, unite with allies who share a common passion and purpose, and take urgently needed action.
Alex Salzman began his career as an entrepreneur at the age of 17 by approaching Toronto based entertainment company Sights and Sounds with a strategy to help them win national sponsorships. The company successfully implemented the plan and the experience afforded him valuable insight into youth marketing and corporate event sponsorship. Shortly thereafter, Alex organized and successfully executed a charity bicycle tour, "The Vancouver to Toronto Ride For Youth". Instigating the project afforded him valuable people and project management skills, as well as opened his eyes to the power of youth to bring about social change. In 2004, Alex postponed his degree in behavioral economics at Princeton University to assist in the launch of TerraCycle Inc - a New Jersey based company producing the world's first product derived from and packaged in waste! Alex assumed the roll of Director of Product Development. After co-founding rethos.com in 2005, Alex returned to Princeton University to complete his degree. He is poised to lead his generation through a revision of fundamental beliefs and attitudes that they, as consumers and citizen, have the power and duty to realize social and environmental solutions.
Thursday February 1 -- 7:00 p.m.
please note: Change in Speaker:
David Gates , Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory
Talk and Screening of Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory: Fueling the Future.
The short film presents an overview of the Laboratory's research program. It includes a basic introduction to the principles of magnetic fusion energy, a mission synopsis of PPPL's current major fusion experiment, the National Spherical Torus Experiment, and descriptions of fusion devices proposed for the future. These include the National Compact Stellarator Experiment, being built at PPPL, and the international ITER project. Information on the application of plasma physics to solve near-term problems is also presented.
The world's energy needs are expected to double over the next thirty years. The present approach of reliance on hydocarbon based fuels is neither sustainable, nor desirable in the long term. The reasons include availability, emissions and environmental impact. Ther world needs a "responsible" energy source, which offers: universal availability, reasonable cost, low environmental impact, manageable emissions and waste, with growth potential and safety. Fusion has the potential of meeting this need. The status of the fusion program will be discussed.
David Gates, Ph.D., Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory. David Gates is a Principal Research Physicist at PPPL with responsibility for plasma controls on the National Spherical Torus Experiment (NSTX), an experimental fusion machine. Plasma is a hot, gaseous state of matter used as the fuel to produce fusion energy - the power source of the sun and the stars. This year, Gates is responsible for coordinating operations for NSTX. He joined the staff at PPPL nine years ago after working on fusion experiments for four years at Culham Science Centre in the U.K. Gates received a bachelor's degree in physics from the University of Wisconsin at Madison in 1986 and a Ph.D. in applied physics from Columbia University in 1994. He is the author of numerous journal articles and has served on several national and international advisory committees.
Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) is a collaborative national center for plasma and fusion science. The Laboratory is managed by Princeton University and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science. An associated mission for PPPL is to provide the highest quality science education in fusion energy, plasma physics, and related technologies.
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 2, 2007
Friday February 2 -- 2:00 p.m.
Fed Up!
Directed by Angelo Sacerdote
Running Time: 57 min.
About 70% of the food we eat contains genetically modified ingredients and is not labeled. The biotechnology industry is spending $50 million a year to convince us that this technology is our only hope for feeding the world and saving the environment. Family farmers are disappearing at an astonishing rate as people continue to go hungry both here and abroad. Toxic agricultural chemicals continue to poison our air, food and water and put farm workers in serious danger. What's a person to do? Get educated!
Friday February 2 -- at 4:00 p.m.
Buyer Be Fair: The Promise of Product Certification
Directed by John de Graaf and Hana Jindrova
Running Time: 57 min.
The film t akes viewers to Mexico, the Netherlands, the UK, Sweden, the USA and Canada to explore how conscious consumers and businesses can use the market to promote social justice and environmental sustainability through product labeling, with a focus on Fair Trade coffee and Forest Stewardship Council certified wood.
Friday February 2 -- 5:00 p.m.
The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil
Directed by Faith Morgan
Running Time: 53 min.
"Try to image an airplane suddenly losing its engines. It was really a crash"... A crash that put Cuba into a state of shock. There were frequent blackouts in its oil-fed electric power grid, up to 16 hours per day. The average daily caloric intake in Cuba dropped by a third... So Cubans started to grow local organic produce out of necessity, developed bio-pesticides and bio-fertilizers as petrochemical substitutes, and incorporated more fruits and vegetables into their diets. Since they couldn't fuel their aging cars, they walked, biked, rode buses, and carpooled.
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 3, 2007
Saturday February 3 --10:30 a.m.
French Fries to Go
Directed by Dr. Howard Donner
Running Time: 15 min.
The story about a guy, his truck and a bunch of used vegetable oil. This funny and inspiring piece follows Charris Ford, 'The Granola Ayatollah of Canola' as he makes the rounds in his veggie fuel powered rig. This film is very timely and unlike many environmental films, really makes you laugh. With Daryl Hannah, Dennis Weaver and internationally renowned physician Doctor Andrew Wiel.
Saturday February 3 -- 11:00 a.m.
The Anacostia: Restoring the People's River
Directed by Todd Clark
Running time: 37 min.
Post-screening discussion with Lexi Gelperin and Julia Osellame, Princeton University Water Watch.
In a nation built for the people, by the people, the Anacostia River, which runs through both the suburbs and the heart of the nation’s capital, is the people’s river. Yet this precious asset was left to succumb to the ravages of urban development, out-dated infrastructure, and the thoughtless actions of polluters - corporate and citizen alike. Across the region, individuals and groups have been working to restore the abused and forgotten Anacostia River. This film portrays the struggle to revitalize often depressed riverside communities by restoring the stream running through them. The Anacostia River’s extraordinary beauty and degradation are illuminated with poignant images, compelling testimony, and inspirational music. Learn the history of the Anacostia River and explore the ways individuals and organizations can and are helping to save a river that was once rated the most polluted in the Chesapeake Bay area. Anyone interested in reclaiming, restoring, and strengthening their community will find guidance and inspiration from the Anacostia story.
The Anacostia Watershed Society (AWS) is a local, 501(c)(3) non-profit environmental organization that is working to protect and restore the Anacostia River and its watershed. AWS seeks to fulfill its mandate of a swimmable and fishable river through its programs of education, action and advocacy.
More information on Princeton University Water Watch
Saturday February 3 -- 12:00 p.m.
Turning the Tide
Co-produced by Lynn Kosek Walker and Bob Szuter.
Running time: 30 min.
photo of a Great Blue Heron by Ilya Genin, MD
Speakers:
Bob Szuter, writer-producer, NJN Public Television. Bob has been working on a variety of productions at NJN since 1987, first as part of the production crew and now as a writer-producer for informational documentaries on both New Jersey history and environment. He co-produced and edited "Turning the Tide" with writer-producer Lynn Kosek Walker.
Dr. Mary Allessio Leck, retired professor of biology at Rider University, who has been studying plant ecology at the Hamilton - Trenton Marsh since 1975.
Dr. Charles Leck, retired professor of ecological sciences at Cook College, Rutgers University. Charles has been studying bird life in New Jersey for more than forty years and has served as State Ornithologist for New Jersey.
Rivers and streams wind through open space, under bridges and roadways, past towns and historic sites, and near habitat that is home to numerous bird species. Since the time of the pilgrims, more than half of the wetlands in the lower 48 states have been destroyed. Often misunderstood, America’s wetlands are commonly seen as wastelands – too wet to be easily built upon or farmed, yet a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes. Now recognized as a critical natural resource, the tide is turning for wetlands. This change in attitude has inspired individual action as well as major policy changes to help protect, preserve and revitalize these special places. Shot in High Definition video, this half-hour documentary showcases the hidden beauty of the tidal areas in and around the Hackensack Meadowlands of northern New Jersey and the Hamilton -Trenton Marsh just south of the state capital of Trenton. Travel these wetlands with NJN and be surprised at what you see. Turning the Tide was produced by NJN and it premiered on May 8, 2006.
Resources about the wetlands environment.
Saturday February 3 -- 1:30 p.m.
Texas Gold
Directed by Carolyn Scott
Running time: 21 min.
Speaker: Carolyn Scott. Carolyn Scott, the film's director, is a long-time San Francisco and Bay-area resident, and came to documentary filmmaking from an accomplished career as an environmental activist and educator.
Texas Gold tells the story of Diane Wilson - mother of five, fourth generation fisherwoman - called Public Enemy No. 1 in Calhoun, County Texas. She began her fight with the giants of the petro-chemical industry in 1989, when she discovered that her small Texas County had been named the most toxic place in America. Witness to the mass death of dolphins along the Gulf Coast and the slow death of her once thriving fishing community, Diane boldly took action. Part eco-detective, part muck-raking humorist, this “unreasonable woman” recounts the hunger strikes and civil disobiedence that have made her Public Enemy No. 1 to the powerful industries that routinely spill millions of pounds of toxins into our air, soil and water. In response, Diane decides to bottle contaminated water at one of worst superfund sites in the country and send it back to the businessman where it came from: the result of Diane’s new venture: TEXAS GOLD. Surviving imprisonment, surveillance and harassment - even becoming an outcast in her own community – Diane’s often lonely struggle exemplifies her belief that good intentions are not enough – putting her life at risk is where change happens.
Saturday February 3 -- 2:45 - 3:30 p.m.
Talk by Mike Strizki, Environmentalist and founder of the Hopewell Project and Peter Winslow, Executive Director of the Hopewell Project.
Strizki will talk and show a powerpoint about his house, the first solar-hydrogen powered house in North America, located in Hopewell, NJ.
Mike Strizki served as Project Engineer for over 16 years with the Office of Research and Technology in the New Jersey Department of Transportation where he developed renewable energy technologies. The most noted of his projects was the first use of fuel cells in the DOT’s Variable Message Signs. Other projects included the Project Power Commute, an Electric Vehicle Station Project, and two fuel cell vehicles: the New Jersey ‘Venturer’ and the New Jersey ‘Genesis’. In July of 2000, he took a position at Millennium Cell in Eatontown, NJ, where he completed a world range record with the New Jersey Genesis, a distance of over 400 miles on a single refueling. In 2003 he served as Project Engineer for both the Peugeot Fuel Cell Firefighting Vehicle for the English Channel Tunnel and the Duffy Fuel Cell Electric Boat. In January 2004, he joined the team at Advanced Solar Products as a project engineer for photovoltaic installations. In 2004, he also started Renewable Energy International, a provider of renewable energy technology solutions. His most recent project was the conversion of his own home to run exclusively on solar-hydrogen power, including a hydrogen vehicle fueling station, which was completed in 2006. He is a founding member of The Hopewell Project, a New Jersey non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness of sustainability issues through educational and community outreach programs.
Saturday February 3 -- 3:30 PM
Who Killed the Electric Car?
Directed by Chris Paine
Running Time: 92 min.
Speaker: Mike Strizki, The Hopewell Project.
It was among the fastest, most efficient production cars ever built. It ran on electricity, produced no emissions and catapulted American technology to the forefront of the automotive industry. The lucky few who drove it never wanted to give it up. So why did General Motors begin crushing its fleet of EV1 electric vehicles? There were 5,000 people who wanted an EV1, but GM wouldn't let them have it. Come watch “Who Killed the Electric Car” to learn about why one of the most promising environmental technologies in the history of transportation was wiped out by more than just General Motors.
SUNDAY FEBRUARY 4, 2007
Sunday February 4 -- 1:30 p.m.
The Chances of the World Changing
Directed by Eric Daniel Metzgar
Running time: 99 min.
Speaker: Eric Daniel Metzgar. Metzgar completed this documentary in 2005, his feature debut, which he directed, produced, photographed and edited. He is currently in production with two new documentary films. Metzgar grew up in Richmond, Virginia. He graduated from the University of Georgia in 1998, where he studied journalism and wildlife management. He currently lives and works in New York City.
The Chances of the World Changing is an extraordinary documentary about one man’s unbelievable mission to save hundreds of species of turtles and tortoises from extinction – an epic story of conservation, perseverance, and hope in the face of a global crisis. Ten years ago, Richard Ogust, a writer living in New York City, abandoned his life’s work and began to acquire endangered turtles, driven by the appalling but little known fact that we are on the brink of losing a group of animals that have survived the ecological instability of the last 200 million years, including the great extinction that eliminated the dinosaurs. Currently in China, hundreds of thousands of turtles are sold in food markets. Species are being taken from the wild at such an alarming rate that the situation has escalated into an environmental crisis. With a reasonable inheritance, Richard was able to build an ark, literally rescuing hundreds of endangered species of turtles. Eventually, Richard was sharing his giant penthouse in lower Manhattan with over 1,200 turtles and tortoises. When his collection was discovered (due to complaints from his neighbors), Richard’s story made headlines around the country, from The New York Times to CNN. But the weight of Richard’s ark soon began to crush him. His passionate pastime had evolved into a colossal enterprise. To save himself and his turtles, he made a fascinating and daring decision— to create the country’s largest turtle conservation institute.
“Enchanting… One of those special films that combines masterful filmmaking with incredibly engaging subject matter... exquisitely photographed...” - International Documentary Magazine
Sunday February 4 -- 4:00 p.m.
Grizzly Man
Directed and narrated by Werner Herzog
Running time: 104 min.
"Acclaimed director Werner Herzog explores the life and death of amateur grizzly bear expert and wildlife preservationist Timothy Treadwell, who lived unarmed among grizzlies for 13 summers". “In GRIZZLY MAN, Herzog plumbs not only the mystery of wild nature, but also the mystery of human nature as he chronicles Treadwell’s final years in the wilderness. Herzog uses Treadwell’s own startling documentary footage to paint a nuanced portrait of a complex and compelling figure while exploring larger questions about the uneasy relationship between man and nature.” (excerpt from the film’s official Web site.)
