Tonight’s theme on BIFASP is “Transport,” and it’s a show that will get diehard tech enthusiasts and community activists excited about the possibilities available for getting from here to there with a lighter environmental impact. Unlike some of the previous episodes, “Transport” takes viewers to places they’d probably expect, and definitely know: New York City, Portland, Oregon, and Boston. While New York’s famous for its public transportation, discussions with city transit officials show they’re moving forward rapidly to make an established system more user-friendly and sustainable. In Portland, human-powered transportation is the focus: Portland’s the most bicycle-friendly city in North America, and you’ll not only find out why, but also see how green transport evangelists are shopping its model around to other American locales.

If your inner techie is underwhelmed at this point, stick around for the third “big idea”: the City Car, a project in development at MIT’s Media Lab. Just imagine the offspring of car sharing, airport rental carts, and electric propulsion. “Transport” also features a range of experts filling in the gaps and connections between the stories told: tonight, you’ll hear from Environmental Defense Fund’s Michael Replogle, transportation consultant John Kaehny, David Suzuki, Simran Sethi, and others.

Following Big Ideas, Sundance presents the documentary Contested Streets, which takes an in-depth look at “New York City’s chronic gridlock and its concurrent quest for safer, less crowded streets.”

And, yes, we did pick a winner last week for our giveaway of a Sundance gift bag… but, no, we haven’t heard back from the winner, so, if you subscribed to the GO Media newsletter by May 20th, you may still have a shot… and if tonight’s episode of Big Ideas gives you a real green transport jones, spend some time at Gas 2.0 and CleanTechnica.

Despite falling behind on watching ahead, I wanted to make sure to give a nod to Sundance’s programming because today is also the last day to enter both Sundance’s “What’s the Big Idea?” contest, and our own giveaway of a Sundance gift bag with all sort of goodies. For their contest: better get that video camera rolling quickly! For our drawing, just sign up for the Green Options Media newsletter by midnight Pacific time, and you’re entered.

The seemingly innocuous question comes with all sorts of ethical baggage these days: for many Americans, recycling is not just an initial step into a greener life, but also an activity suffused with moral weight. While many will argue about the significance of individuals and families recycling items they might otherwise throw away, there’s no doubt that creative and innovative reuse of materials is critical for the health of the planet… and the people who reside on it (along with all of those other species). Tonight, the Sundance Channel’s Big Ideas for a Small Planet goes beyond the blue bin many of us place on the curb, and looks at three organizations that are taking recycling in some interesting, and effective, directions.

Ever been to the dump? If so, it probably didn’t look like Sonoma County, California’s, which manager Ken Wells (pictured on the left) describes as a “mining operation for the trash of your life.” Yes, there’s a landfill, but there’s also a composting center, an organic garden, a reuse store, and a power plant that creates electricity from landfill gas (enough to power about 7000 homes). Accessory design shop Ecoist, in Miami, definitely looks more upscale, but they’re also reusing materials that would otherwise go to waste: in this case, misprinted or otherwise flawed packaging, and movie billboards. And Baton Rouge, Louisiana’s Capital Area Corporate Recycling Council (CACRC) gathers used computers on a massive scale, “dematerializes” those that aren’t in working condition, and repairs those that are to sell cheaply or donate to public school programs. As in earlier episodes, many of the “big ideas” presented come from ordinary people (well, ordinary people with extraordinary imaginations). And, of course, folks known for their own big ideas provide commentary: David Suzuki, Allen Hershkowitz of the Natural Resources Defense Council, Anne Reichman of Earth 911, and Sundance’s own Simran Sethi.

Following Big Ideas, the Sundance Channel presents the eco-documentary Burning the Future: Coal in America. According to press materials,

This timely documentary takes us to the Appalachian Mountains of southern West Virginia to explore the political, economic and environmental issues surrounding coal, the source of more than half of U.S. electricity. At particular issue is the controversial above-ground mining technique known as mountaintop removal, which is defended as safe by the coal industry but opposed by a growing number of residents who believe it is a threat their land, their health and their unique way of life.

If you liked Big Coal, this sounds like one you won’t want to miss.

Finally, keep in mind that there’s Sundance schwag to win: Sundance’s own “What’s the Big Idea?” contest is still taking entries, and we’re giving away a Sundance giftbag to one lucky subscriber to our biweekly newsletter.

Images courtesy of Special Ops Media 

While I wrote a preview of tonight’s episode of Big Ideas for a Small Planet this morning on sustainablog, Lucille’s right: it deserves a mention over here at Feelgood Style. So tune in (in about 45 minutes Central time) for the award-winning series’ focus on fashion tonight. Get a look at Del Forte Denim’s use of organic cotton, Nau’s sustainable methods of both creating and selling outerwear, and Revolution Cleaner’s greener alternative to traditional dry cleaning. And keep an eye on the extra coverage that appears during BIFASP, and the documentary that follows: word is that our own Jessa Brinkmeyer’s Pivot Boutique may be on tonight.

And while I’ve got you, throw your name in the hat for a green giftbag from the Sundance Channel. It’s easy to do: just subscribe to Green Options Media’s biweekly newsletter.

Impatient? Can’t wait 45 minutes? Here… take a sneak peak at tonight’s episode:

Got thoughts about this episode, or any of Sundance’s programming included in The Green? Share them on our discussion forum.

Image: the team at Nau, courtesy of Special Ops Media.

The folks at Sundance have given us a bag full of green goodies, and we’ll give it away to one lucky newsletter subscriber. All you have to do: subscribe to the newsletter by May 20th. On the 21st, we’ll one name from our subscribers, and that person will win the bag. What will s/he win?

• +E (Positive Energy) T-Shirt: 100% Organic T-Shirt made exclusively for Sundance Channel
• Boku Journal: Made exclusively for Sundance Channel out of 70% Kenaf Tree fibers and 30% recycled sheets
• MP3 Speakers: Custom 100% recycled cardboard MP3 Speakers

It couldn’t be easier to enter: just subscribe to the GO newsletter — if you subscribe by May 20th, you’re entered (and that includes all of you who have already subscribed). And, of course, we won’t do anything sneaky like giving this to an employee, contractor, or long-lost relative who comes out of the woodwork..

In addition to Del Forte, tonight’s episode features outerwear company Nau, which, unfortunately, has announced that it’s going out of business. Given Nau’s very sustainable approach to both garment design and retailing, watching this portion of the show felt bittersweet: let’s hope that their ideas for producing and selling greener fashion survive them.

Of course, fashion has environmental impacts after the sale, and the third “big idea” presented in tonight’s episode involves product care. Denver, Colorado’s Revolution Cleaners is one of many professional cleaning operations that have foregone the traditional “dry cleaning” process (which involves some pretty nasty chemicals) in favor of less toxic alternatives. Revolution uses liquid CO2 as a cleaning agent, and is implementing other practices such as hanger and plastic bag recycling.

In addition to the stories of these innovative companies, Big Ideas for a Small Planet has the usual mix of expert commentary: tonight’s contributors in include designers Linda Loudermilk and Carson Kressley (yes, that’s Carson from Queer Eye for the Straight Guy), Ecofabulous blogger Zem Joaquin (go bloggers!), Rachelle Carson-Begley, and Simran Sethi.

Following Big Ideas for a Small Planet, The Green present the documentary film Escape from Suburbia. Gregory Greene’s film

…considers the possibilities as it examines the burgeoning grass-roots movement to “power down” from energy-intensive habits. Mixing the stories of ordinary citizens with expert analysis, the film offers an inspiring look at how people are changing their lives and their communities by pulling up stakes, organizing conferences, and even re-thinking local economies.

Another great night of green TV. Of course, you can still enter The Green’s “What’s the Big Idea?” contest — the entry period runs through May 20th. And keep an eye out for another contest announcement right here at sustainablog… I’ll have that up shortly. And, finally, if you want more green fashion, stop by Feelgood Style.

I took the time to sit down and watch “Food” last night, and, as with previous episodes of Big Ideas for a Small Planet, found it compelling and thoughtful. Amy’s Kitchen founders Andy and Rachel Berliner tell the story of founding their family-owned company, and holding firm to their commitment to using only fresh, organic food (which is largely processed by hand) in the pre-packaged meals they sell. Viewers go with them to one of the organic farms from which they buy, and get some insight into the process of growing vegetables without chemicals. From there, the show moves to Twin Buttes High School in New Mexico, where students (who are all Zuni tribe members) didn’t just reject their school lunches: they started a garden to grow food for the cafeteria, and even won a grant to build a greenhouse. Finally, the episode takes viewers to Sonoma Valley, California, where the Benzinger Family Winery produces its award-winning vintages from biodynamically-grown grapes. These stories are interspersed with commentary from a range of experts, including David Suzuki, Anna Lappé, and Simran Sethi.

While Sundance provides preview copies of Big Ideas for a Small Planet to the press, that’s not the case with documentaries, so I haven’t yet seen All In This Tea. According to their press materials, the film profiles David Lee Hoffman, the founder of Silk Road Teas:

All In This Tea looks at the history, traditions and intricacies of tea and joins Hoffman on a buying trip to China, where he seeks out small, artisanal growers and tries to persuade Chinese officials to turn away from industrial production in favor of handcrafted, environmentally sustainable tea farming.

Looks like another night of must-see TV on the Sundance Channel. If you’ve missed any episodes of Big Ideas for a Small Planet, don’t fret: they’re all available on ITunes after they air ($1.99/episode). And if you’ve got big ideas of your own to share, don’t forget about the “What’s the Big Idea?” contest, sponsored by Lexus Hybrid Living.

Still interested in food issues? The stop by Eat.Drink.Better for your daily taste… and jump into the GO Discussion forum if you want to talk about The Green…

First up was Simran Sethi of Sundance’s The Green, who’s become a passionate advocate for Greensburg’s resurgence. In introducing the first five episodes of The Good Fight (which all focus on Greensburg), she not only lauded the people who she’s come to know in making the “webisodes,” but also noted that the town is hardly a hotbed of radical environmentalism: Greensburg was a town of 1400 people when the tornado struck, and, like many mid-American small communities, had been in decline for several decades. The population had shrunk, the per capita income was below the Kansas average, and young Greensburgians were generally looking for a way out. She heard plenty of disdainful comments about “treehuggers,” and several people had told her that they just didn’t believe global warming is a reality.

Despite a conservative outlook, though, the people of Greensburg recognized the value the could create for their community by embracing sustainable thinking. Sethi also noted that stories such as these point to the need for more depth in coverage of sustainability: not just showing people how to change their lightbulbs, but also addressing the systemic changes necessary to ensure both environmental preservation and social equity.

The webisodes themselves provided a inspiring look at the people of Greensburg and the choices they’ve made since the tornado. Like victims of southern Louisiana’s hurricanes in 2005, Greensburg residents were living in trailers provided by FEMA after the tornado, and desperate to get back to “normal.” The choice to rebuild green meant extending the period of transition for many people… yet the residents in the videos all expressed hope and optimism about their community’s future. Young people were excited about the greening of Greensburg, and economic possibilities looked bright with new wind turbines, a biodiesel plant, and the promise of twenty different manufacturing facilities interested in joining the GreenTown redevelopment project. (A side note: our own Adam Bowman was involved in the production of The Good Fight)

That sense of hope continued as Sethi moderated the discussion with Wallach and Hardy. Wallach (who also appeared in the webisodes) was effusive in his praise for the residents of Greensburg, noting that most people, after suffering the trauma of losing everything, just want to find comfort… quickly. The people of this town, despite their loss, chose to take a “different turn,” and put off that immediate need for comfort in favor of a brighter future. Hardy, in looking at the physical rebuilding of the town, noted that the planners and architects involved in the project weren’t implementing any new ideas in terms of building practices, but the concept of a greener community had taken hold firmly in Greensburg. Not only did the town decide to rebuild to LEED Platinum standards, but also passed a net metering ordinance, making Greensburg the only town in Kansas to offer this incentive for shifting to renewable energy sources. This “community without a town” (Hardy’s phrase) may not be completely rebuilt yet, but was already a very different place.

It was a privilege to both hear the stories that have come out of this little town’s disaster, and to talk with some of the residents themselves prior to the formal program. Dealing with these ideas day in and day out, it’s easy to get caught up in the concepts themselves. Greensburg is just one community showing that a more sustainable way of life isn’t just a pipe dream of the environmental community, though: it’s a practical alternative to “business as usual” that can create real viability for communities struggling with economic stagnation, a shrinking population, and even a life-changing disaster.

You can assist Greensburg’s efforts to rebuild green by contributing to Greensburg GreenTown. The Good Fight will air on the Sundance Channel’s web site beginning on Tuesday, April 22. Many thanks to the Kansas City chapter of AIGA, and other event sponsors, for their contributions.

Image credit: soldiersmediacenter at Flickr under a Creative Commons license

The catch is for participants to drop off old t-shirts at all Barneys’ locations nationwide and Loomstate will then re-style the tops for a limited edition collection for Barneys Holiday 2008. Clearly the retailer is gearing up early for their smashing green holiday guide.

 Starting today, those interested in donating will receive a 20% discount on Loomstate for Barneys Green , and the promotion will go on for the next two weeks. Project proceeds go to 1% for the planet.

Treehugger shares the scoop on parties for the event:
The recycling program will kick off with two exclusive VIP events at Barneys New York flagship locations: Los Angeles on April 15th with a special performance by She & Him, featuring Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward and New York City on Earth Day, April 22nd with an exclusive performance by British singing sensation & Geffen recording artist Kate Nash. DJ Paul Sevigny to provide music at both events.

Above image: One Hundred Trees (will be planted) Charm

Simran Sethi, host of the Sundance Channel’s The Green will moderate a panel on the green redesign of tornado devastated Greensburg, KS. The green salon will feature BNIM Architects’ urban planner, Stephen Hardy and Greentown director, Daniel Wallach. The Sundance Channel will screen segments from The Good Fight Series.

Tickets are only $15, are no one will be turned away for lack of funds… The cocktail reception preceding the forum will feature food and drink from Blue Bird Bistro (and I’ve eaten there… it’s really good!), Eden Alley Cafe, Local Burger, Benzinger Family Estates winery, and New Belgium Brewery. The fun begins at 5:30 pm on April 17th at the Scarritt Building Ballroom in Kansas City. All funds raised will go to Greensburg GreenTown.

I’m heading over to cover the event, so please say “Hi!” if you’re decide to come…

Image source: Kansas City chapter, AIGA

Starting on Earth Day (Tuesday, April 22), Sundance will present a new Web series called The Good Fight. Hosted by Indian-born activist, author and TV producer Simran Sethi, the online series is aimed at building awareness of the environmental justice movement and at highlighting local heroes in various environmental causes.

Sethi and her team plan to visit the Los Angeles area soon to find people and groups to feature on The Good Fight. Don’t worry if you’re not close to L.A., though: eco-activists elsewhere can get the word out on their actions by posting their pet cause on Sundance’s Eco-Mmunity map of green goings-on around the U.S.

Early episodes of The Good Fight will feature interviews with Robert Bullard, director of Clark Atlanta University’s Environmental Justice Resource Center; Omar Freilla, who established The Green Worker Cooperative in the Bronx; and Clayton Thomas Muller, the oil campaign organizer for the Indigenous Environmental Network. Sethi will also profile the tornado-devastated town of Greensburg, Kansas, which residents are working to rebuild as a green community.

Two weeks ago Eylon Israely conducted an interview with King Corn’s Director and Producer, Aaron Woolf . Today we’ve got interesting updates on the film and its creators.

Firstly, If you haven’t seen this documentary yet, here’s your chance - King Corn airs on PBS on April 15! So mark it down in your calender.

And there’s also a new film from the creators of King Corn - The Greening of Southie. The film will have its world premiere on the Sundance Channel on Earth Day, April 22 at 9:40PM. This time, the filmmakers explore green building, and they’re focusing on the first green residential project in one of the favorite neighborhoods: South Boston, or Southie as everyone calls it. Here’s a little bit more about it:

The Greening of Southie goes behind the scenes and onto the scaffolds to follow the construction of Boston’s first green residential structure, a luxury condominium complex called the Macallan Building. Located in the city’s storied working-class neighborhood, South Boston, Macallan was conceived with the ambitious goal of securing a LEED Gold rating from the U.S. Green Building Council. Moving between the idealistic young development team, distant suppliers, and the salty union construction crew, The Greening of Southie maps each step––and misstep––on the road to move-in day.

At 9 pm EDT, Big Ideas for a Small Planet will focus on the theme “Decorate.” The press materials from Sundance note that “it IS possible to have stylish furnishings without messing up the planet,” and will feature some of the designers that are working within this context. sustainablog and GO readers know this, of course, but I have no doubt we’ll all learn new things from this show.

At 9:35 pm, the aesthetic focus will continue with the documentary Manufactured Landscapes. The film profiles photographer Edward Burtynsky, and his work documenting China’s transition to an urbanized society (and the environmental costs associated with it). Ansel Adams he ain’t: think mines, factories and lava flows vs. stunning natural vistas.

To my co-workers: don’t try to catch me online during The Green: it’s my must-see TV… As these shows provide plenty of food for thought, stop by the discussion forum I’ve created for the series, and let us know what you thought.

Many thanks to Special Ops Media for the images.

Simran Sethi, award-winning environmental journalist featured on the Sundance Channel and sundancechannel.com, is documenting Greensburg’s recovery as a “Green City” with her new series The Good Fight. She’s also promoting a fund-raising effort to help citizens rebuild their community.

I had the privilege of interviewing Simran about her series and the work going on in Greensburg. Here’s our talk…

Sethi mentioned the fund-raising efforts of a local group, and this is their website: Greensburg Greentown.

Here’s the Greensburg, Kansas Official Website.

Image Source:

Following that, Sundance will air its original documentary Garbage Warrior. I got a chance to screen this film a few weeks ago as part of a package I received from Earth Circle Cinema, and it’s well worth staying up past your bed time (if that’s an issue). Garbage Warrior tells the story of architect and Earthship creator Michael Reynolds, and his thirty-five+ year quest to create self-sufficient, sustainable buildings made from natural materials and society’s “waste”: “tires, beer cans, glass, and plastic bottles.”

Filmmaker Oliver Hodge frames Reynold’s story as a true “David and Goliath” epic: after years of developing an Earthship community outside of Taos, NM, the architect and the community he’s created come up against “the Man,” in the form of building and planning regulations well out of step with Reynold’s vision of low-impact housing. Garbage Warrior shows the prices Reynolds paid in challenging the system (particularly the loss of his architecture licenses and certifications for most of the 90s), and the battle he takes on with the state legislature to change laws that ultimately dampen creativity, and discourage building professionals from experimenting with more sustainable forms of construction. Does he win? Well, you’ll have to watch to find out…

Perhaps the most moving element of the film, though, involves Reynolds and team going to the Andaman Islands after the 2005 tsunami. While politicians dither in Santa Fe, the Earthship team provides housing for victims of the disaster. Hodge, and Reynolds, play up on the irony: politicians the world’s most developed nation just can’t wrap their head around what Reynolds is doing (or choose not to), while tsunami victims in the developing world are not only grateful for his work, but immediately understand its relevance to their living situations.

This doesn’t mean, though, that Reynolds promotes a step backwards in living spaces for the developed world; rather, as the film shows consistently, his Earthships are not only built for sustainable use of resources, but also for comfort. Hodge’s frequent shots of the buildings demonstrate that they’re also aesthetically pleasing… a “win-win-win” for a “modern” society.

I’ll put some links up to Reynold’s concepts in the discussion forums for… well, discussion. Garbage Warrior is a really well-made film… but, given the compelling nature of its subject, I’m guessing Hodge and team found that the story told itself.

Let us know what you think about the first offerings of ’08’s The Green… I know I’ll be watching.

Many thanks to Special Ops Media for the images.

UPDATE: Rather than creating a forum on Reynolds, I’ve done one on The Green itself… but always interested in discussing Reynolds and his work.

Contestants participate in “Big Ideas For A Small Planet,” which is presented by Lexus Hybrid Living. What do you have to do to participate? Submit a one-minute short film or photo essay featuring your “Big Idea” to sundancechannel.com/bigideascontest before May 20.

Viewing of the top 25 entries selected by the program takes place between May 27 and June 24. After that, the five proposals ranked by the number of votes are reviewed by a panel of environmental experts who will pick the winner. Bear in mind that the jury judges submissions on creativity, overall theme, feasibility and presentation. The winner will be announced the week of July 7th and is awarded a cash prize of $10,000 to fund the idea.

For the fourth episode of their Big Ideas For A Small Planet series, the Sundance Channel takes on the challenging topic of dressing green. The first three episodes of this original documentary series have gotten a large amount of critical acclaim for bringing environmental issues to the millions of Americans who tune in. So far, the topics of fuel, building construction, and city development have been examined, offering up three different topic-specific ideas of how to enhance our lives and reduce our carbon footprint at the same time in each episode.

Premiering this Tuesday, May 8th at 9pm Eastern and Pacific, the Wear episode features commentary from Ali Hewson (Bono's wife and founder of Edun Clothing), Simran Sethi, Carson Kressley (the wonderfully flamboyant blond fashion guru from Queer Eye for the Straight Guy), and Graham Hill (founder of TreeHugger.com). I must admit that when I saw Carson come on screen, I was worried that the episode might end up being less than serious, but he had a unique point-of-view to add to the subject of green fashion, acting as a voice for the many that see style as an integral part of their life, just like eating or sleeping. Helping to show people that wearing sustainable fabrics has little, if anything, to do with tie-dye and hippies is one of the most important factors for the growing green fashion market, and this episode does a darn good job of getting that point across.