On April 21st, 350.org will premier “Do the Math,” a film documenting Bill McKibben’s tour around the country last fall to educate and empower the people of our country to take action against our fossil fuel economy.

See the newly released preview of the film here:

Slow Food St. Louis, an organization that works to promote fresh, local, and sustainably-produced food and biodiversity, has just released three great new short videos that inspire us to ask more questions about the food that we are putting into our mouths everyday.  They also wonderfully showcase all of the fabulous farmers, vendors, and purveyors here in town that are working hard to promote a local food economy here in our fair city.  Enjoy!

Ask Before you Eat! –> Meat

Ask Before you Eat! –> Dairy

Ask Before you Eat! –> Produce

This morning, as Craig (St. Louis Green Executive Director) and I got caught up in the office, we discovered that both of us, by coincidence, re-watched Food, Inc. over the weekend.  Although the documentary has been out for a few years, it’s still extremely relevant, particularly as Congress moves to pass a Farm Bill in 2012.  And if you have already seen it, perhaps you should watch it again.  For me, it not only re-kindled my anger against the industrial food system, but it also empowered me as an individual, reminding me that my choices as a consumer can completely change this broken, corrupted system.

In the most recent issue of The Healthy Planet, Kat Logan Smith, Executive Director of the Missouri Coalition for the Environment, provides the following commentary:

“No other common act has as much to do with our health as the food we put into our mouths. If our food is awash in chemicals, devoid of nutrients, loaded with fats and sugars, our bodies lose strength, functionality, and resilience and perhaps even develop disease over time. The impact on children is even greater because their bodies are building systems from scratch. Without the proper building blocks for healthy bodies, they will suffer a lifetime of costly consequences.

Under our current food policies our tax dollars subsidize and incentivize a food system that makes disease-causing food cheap and chemical-free strawberries more expensive. Cheap corn syrup ranks too low to merit the weight it currently receives in our food policy though the lobbyists from the cola companies will disagree. Our tax dollars underwrite industrialized food production that pollutes water, erodes soil, risks our health, and is dangerously dependent on petrochemicals…

…Resolve in 2012 to be at the table when the Farm Bill is forming. Insist that our urban Congressmen research and articulate Farm Bill positions that matter to every constituent who eats. Insist too that they not defer to “farm state” legislators or ag-biz lobbyists – that they fight for serious reforms. You must be at the table. With every meal, remind yourself that we too are stakeholders in our nation’s food system. And the system is broken. The 2012 Farm Bill offers the best prospects of any in over 40 years to bring about the changes our health and our environment need – but the fight will be tough and it will take every eating person paying attention and speaking out.  In 2012, demand a better Farm Bill. The time for quiet complicity is over.”

The Farm Bill affects everyone, and we must be informed.  Start by watching films like Food, Inc. (watch it online here: http://www.takepart.com/foodinc/film), and get educated about our food system, which has been so deeply hidden from us in the past.  Then, get inspired to make some changes.  In this case, we can all be instruments of change three times everyday.  Shop locally, visit your local farmers’ markets, buy sustainably grown and/or raised products.  Your choice will not only improve the system, but will also improve your overall health and well-being.

The system is completely dependent us as consumers, and we have the power to change it.

For more easy ways to change the industrial food system, visit http://www.takepart.com/foodinc/action.

- Erin McAllister
St. Louis Green Staff

Environmental health and justice advocate Annie Leonard recently released the follow-up movie to her widely successful, “Story of Stuff,” called “Story of Change.”  It urges viewers to “put down their credit cards and start exercising their citizen muscles to build a more sustainable, just and fulfilling world.”

Watch the video here.

Phoenix Learning Group, Inc published a series of videos , -Green Careers, -Your Future in the New Green Economy.  I found the videos informative and educational.  Considering a Green Career the videos may help you out in your decision of what you are looking for.  Please check them out at http://www.phoenixlearninggroup.com/greencareers12, they have recently released 4 new ones.  Enjoy and good energy to you if you are seeking a Green Career.

Some of you may or may not have heard about the movie GasHole, yet. I believe everyone should see this film. I know you are probably saying you do not have time or Craig has lost his mind again, better yet what does he know. Do yourself a favor see this Movie. I have attached a review from Joe’s Movie Lounge. At the least, please read it, but I would love for you all to see this film.

stltoday.com

A couple of months ago Kevin Herdler from St. Louis Regional Clean Cities called about this movie, GasHole. Not sure what to make of it I watched the trailer, then talked with Scott, one of the co-directors. I was completely thrilled to be a part of the film coming to St. Louis. A couple of weeks prior to the screening of the film, I stumbled upon the Hi-Pointe Theatre to be available.

As I sat in the theatre and watched this movie, I kept asking myself questions, if this is true, could it be true, what part am I responsible for, or what part have I been irresponsible for? If you drive a car, truck, hybrid, motorcycle, bike, anything, this movie should be required viewing. It is a must see, if in one place just to ask the question, is this possible?

Here are some details from a press release:

EXTENDED VIEWINGS OF THE FILM GASHOLE AT THE HI-POINTE THEATRE JUNE 20-22

Narrated by Peter Gallagher

“St. Louis was an amazing experience! The response was huge and we are thrilled that “GasHole” did so well it was extended for another weekend.” – Scott D. Roberts & Jeremy Wagener directors/producers

The film tackles the enormously timely issue of gas consumption and alternative fuel.

Showing Friday, June 20 at 7:15 p.m., Saturday June 21, 2:30, 4:45 & 7:15 and Sunday, June 22 at 2:30, 4:45 & 7:15 at the Hi-Pointe Theater at 1005 McCausland Ave, St Louis, MO 63117, ironically under the shadow of our favorite, giant Amoco sign at Clayton Road and McCausland Avenue.

GasHole tickets for the June 20-22 shows are $8.75 for adults and $6.75 for seniors, students and matinees. Tickets are available now at stlouisgreen.com and at the door day of the shows.

Check out our site stlouisgreen.com and gasholemovie.com to learn more about the movie and read some reviews.

Hope to see you all there. This is truly one to see if you buy gasoline, you should know what this movie is presenting. Please pass it on to anyone else you might think be interested.

Thinkin’ Green,

Craig