Mama Earth: Her Destiny—Our Hands 2007
Distributed by The Video Project, PO Box 411376, San Francisco, CA 94141-1376; 800-475-2638
Produced by Leslie Bloom Van Ee, Earthwalk Media
Directed by Leslie Bloom Van Ee
DVD, color, 23 min.
Jr. High - Adult
Economics, Environmental Studies
Date Entered: 09/30/2009
Reviewed by Cliff Glaviano, Coordinator of Cataloging, Bowling Green State University Libraries, Bowling Green, OHMama Earth, our sassy endangered planet, invites the viewer to a quick course in EcoEconomics 101, pointing out that our consumption of environmental resources is unsustainable. The prices of Earth’s consumable products, the products that her children (humans) produce from her resources don’t equal the costs to the environment, the wear and tear on Mama. Mama tells her children they “need to get their act together.” She notes that, “The economy is a wholly owned subsidiary of the ecosystem.” It’s about time she spoke up!
The program was written by Brad Overall and David Pickar served as director of photography. Gorgeous views of the natural environment contrasted with disgusting views of human interactions with the environment: air, water and land pollution. Similarly, wasteful mining and manufacturing operations are contrasted with green, renewable energy applications. The video reviewed was the PBS Natural Heroes Cut – Eco-Econ 101, edited from an earlier 75-minute release to fit a PBS half-hour television format. Perhaps an effect of the editing, most, possibly all, of the interviews suffered from one or more “jumps” in video, although the audio portion seemed consistent. Even so, the overall quality of the video is remains excellent.
This video is highly recommended in support of middle school and high school curricula in environmental studies and lends itself well to teaching the concepts of economy in ecology, energy use, and renewable resources. The interview with Kettle Foods of Salem, Oregon, the only producer of organic potato chips, describing their chip processing, reliance on solar energy, and their fleet of bio-fueled Volkswagens, will be an eye-opener for the kids and adult viewers as well. The possibility for a growing EcoEconomy seems limited only by the imagination of the students who will champion Mama Earth in the future.
Awards
- Best Sustainability Film, Pine Film Festival
- Aurora Awards, Platinum Best of Show, Environmental Protection
- Calypso Award, Moondance International Film Festival