If You Dont Feel Hopeful, Youre Not Doing Enough
By Ronnie Citron-Fink, Moms Clean Air Force
I recently met Josh Fox, the creator, director and narrator of the landmark film,Gasland. While I was waiting to talk to Josh aboutMoms Clean Air Force at theDesign By Nature Conference, a conference participant started chatting with me. His name tag said Sam.
Sam claimed many of our environmental problems, like polluted air (MCAF was on my name tag), were happening because people have given up trying to understand such complicated issues.
Sam said,With all the politics and anti-science sentiment, its no wonder people are losing hope.
I said,I think parents will be the driving force behind cleaning up our environmental messes because we want ahealthy world for our children.
While people were clamoring to talk with Josh about their horrifying experiences with the gas companiesfracking up their water, air and land, Josh caught wind of our conversation and nudged closer to follow the exchange. With Josh listening, Sam said:
Even the best documentary filmmakers, environmental educators, concerned scientists, doctors, progressive politicians, and even moms (pointing to me), cant always lead others to exemplary environmental behavior. Have you seen the way this country is headed? Im kind of losing hope.
He didnt finish his sentence because Josh cut him off,If you dont feel hopeful, youre not doing enough.
Wow! This was one of those ah-ha moments in my personal parental fight for clean air. Not only had Josh taken his fight against the polluting gas companies to thousands of people ! with Gas land, he went on to nail it when he said,
This isnt a partisan issue. Its not about whether you are Republican or Democrat, whether you are rich or poor. Its about people coming together over an environment and health issue Its about civil and human rights The gas industry has bought its way into conversations on energy, drowning out voices of citizensIts shameful and its criminal.
A few weeks later, Josh Fox won anEmmy for Gasland. When he walked onto to the stage fresh off of getting arrested at theTar Sands Action at the White House, he spoke directly in his dedication,
Most of all this award goes to the families who are fighting every day against the natural gas industry all across this country. The gas industry has contaminated their water, polluted their air, caused a public health crisis and a civil rights crisis.
What does winning an Emmy have to do with Moms Clean Air Force? Plenty. Josh Fox cuts through the public relations fog that power companies throw around as fact and wins. It is not a fact thatpollution regulations andclean energy initiatives kill jobs. It is not a fact we needdirty energy to offset our dependence on foreign oil. The fact is, we have cleanrenewable energy sources, like solar, wind and geothermal. The fact is, we will not be silenced by money, power and politics. The fact is, with strong EPA regulations wecan win the best award for our children clean air.
Congratulations on your Emmy, Josh. You are one of the good guysand thank you for fueling the kind of activism that inspires hope.
Related:
Ten Documentaries Everyone Should See (Slideshow + Videos)
Kindle the Spark: An Interview With EcoWatch
Clean Air: How the States Stack Up
Dominique Browning is the co-founder and leading blogger of Moms Clean Air Force, a community of moms, dads and others fighting for clean air and the health of future generations. Follow them on Twitter @ MomsCAF.
