Month: April 2009
Pittsburgh Polka All-Stars: Frania Frannie
Ed Robbins: Shooting the Iraq War
Ed Robbins – Shooting the Iraq War
Ed Robbins has made several films about the Iraq war — including one from the perspective of American soldiers, and one about Iraqi refugees. He recently visited Pittsburgh to discuss the complications of documenting war.
Produced for Rustbelt Radio.
The Compost Toilet
Before Class Starts, Part 3
Pittsburgh’s Energy Upheaval
Penn Future – Pittsburghs Energy Upheaval
Over 200 Pittsburghers gathered at Phipps Conservatory Sunday March 29th to discuss the future of climate change action in the region. The group Citizens for Pennsylvania Future (Penn Future) organized the event – bringing together activists, government workers and scientists together – to talk about recent major developments in energy and the environment.
Pennsylvania’s a coal state – responsible for 1 percent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions – but now the state’s on the precipice of a new era for energy use and production. After decades of talking about climate change and the need for dramatic action, 2009 looks to be a watershed year.
Suddenly there’s lots of money for solar & wind energy production and for improving the energy efficiency of our buildings and infrastructure. But the big question remains: will people change their lifestyles in response?
Produced for Rustbelt Radio.
Your Environmental Road Trip
Mark Dixon overhauled his life a few years ago. He left his job in Silicon Valley, and with two friends — Ben Evans and Julie Evans, spent a year in an SUV hybrid traveling around the US, talking to all kinds of Americans about climate change.
Thus was born YERT – Your Environmental Road Trip. Mark, Ben and Julie filmed over 500 hours of footage, talking to environmental activists, scientists, and innovators. They met with a scientist converting annual crops to perennial ones, a 92 year old man who’s been living for six decades in an Idaho cave, and an engineer who wants to convert our highway system into a giant solar energy collection + distribution network.
And the YERT team lived by strict sustainability rules — the three of them together used only one shoebox of waste per month. It wasn’t easy, with every restaurant presenting a new tableful of challenges. They survived the voyage, and you can see YERT films here, and read more about the project too.
Produced for Rustbelt Radio.
Another World 