Working Together for the Planet - 5 Videos for Earth Day

Apr 19, 2013 3:45 PM ET

Video4Good Blog

There are so many issues affecting the planet that every day needs to be treated as Earth Day, and everyone needs to be part of the solution. To have a sustainable future, we’re going to need to change everything from the way we do business and the technology we use, to the food we eat and the homes we live in.

So for this playlist, we’ve brought together voices from business, government and advocacy, all of whom are working in their own way to protect the Earth. Their perspectives and proposals vary, but each demonstrates an unwavering commitment to healing the planet.

Earlier this month Video4Good was on hand in Washington D.C. when Ceres and 33 major U.S. companies unveiled the Climate Declaration, urging federal policymakers to take action on climate change.  Ceres, a strong advocate for sustainable leadership, and its partners believe that a bold response to the climate challenge is needed to protect resources, and will spur economic opportunities.  Individuals and businesses are also invited to sign.

In an extended interview at the 2012 COMMIT!Forum in New York, Robert F. Kennedy sat down with Video4Good to discuss his career in the environmental movement and the impacts of business on the planet.  He explores the roots of environmental problems, analyzes the current situation and offers solutions for creating a healthy, prosperous future for society and the natural world. In the spirit of Earth Day, Part One of this interview features Kennedy discussing why environmental protection is critical.

In this interview Carl Pope, former Executive Director of the Sierra Club, talks about the innovations America needs to make in order to create a sustainable future.  Pope offers insights for creating environmental efficiencies, increasing the use of non-petroleum based fuels and renovating America’s infrastructure.  Adopting a more sustainable path keyed by innovation and strategic thought will ensure a prosperous future for everyone.

In the face of population increase, an emerging global middle class, and climate change, Janet Ranganathan, VP of Science and Research for WRI, identifies food security a pressing issue now and for the future.  In this interview she discusses the need for sustainable solutions for the agricultural industry, and the effectiveness of partnerships between NGOs and business for impacting issues such as climate change and water scarcity.

A gem from the Video4Good archive, this piece documents the groundbreaking of the first LEED-certified residential home in the city of Providence, Rhode Island, which happened, suitably enough, on Earth Day. Even the mayor came out to celebrate and talk about the critical importance of renewable energy and sustainable design.

 

More from Video4Good

Extended Producer Responsibility

Subsidizing Pollution

The Perils of Fracking

Earning by Conserving

Duke Power and Coal