"There's a chasm between where we are and where we need to be—and our current strategy for bridging it is murky at best."
Time Magazine's feature article about what Americans are doing to tackle the Global Warming crisis:
"Americans don't like to lose wars—which makes sense, since we have so little practice with it. Of course, a lot depends on how you define just what a war is. There are shooting wars—the kind that test our mettle and our patriotism and our resourcefulness and our courage—and those are the kind at which we excel. But other struggles test those qualities too. What else was the Great Depression or the space race or the construction of the railroads or the eradication of polio but a massive, often frightening challenge that we decided as a culture we ought to rise up and face? If we indulge in a bit of chest-thumping and flag-waving when the job is done, well, we earned it."
READ MORE
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Leilani Munter is an EcoDaredevil!
Check out Indy-driver Leilani's eco site!
"This is where I will be documenting the changes -- small and large -- that I am making to my life to reduce my carbon footprint. I have also added some educational pages where you can find out more about sustainable living. And of course, the most frequently updated page is my eco newsfeed where I will post the latest eco news I stumble upon while browsing the net when I should be working. I hope that by sharing my story I can make your journey to be green just a little bit easier.
Life is short. Race hard. Live Green."
"This is where I will be documenting the changes -- small and large -- that I am making to my life to reduce my carbon footprint. I have also added some educational pages where you can find out more about sustainable living. And of course, the most frequently updated page is my eco newsfeed where I will post the latest eco news I stumble upon while browsing the net when I should be working. I hope that by sharing my story I can make your journey to be green just a little bit easier.
Life is short. Race hard. Live Green."
Monday, April 28, 2008
EcoDaredevil Earth Day keynote address available Online
Check out the audio and visuals from the Earth Day keynote at Duke University:
Jump the Chasm: Are you an EcoDaredevil?
Jump the Chasm: Are you an EcoDaredevil?
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Elliott Hazen and Krysten Knievel Receive EcoDaredevil Awards
The first annual EcoDaredevil Award was presented to Duke doctoral student Elliott Hazen on Earth Day 2008. An Honorary award was also presented to Krysten Knievel, granddaughter of Robert Craig "Evel" Knievel in recognition of Evel's inspiration for the EcoDaredevil Award. L to R: Elena Finkbeiner, Larry Crowder, Krysten Knievel, Elliott Hazen and Wallace J. Nichols. Thanks to Matt Vincent for providing the EcoDaredevil helmet!
Elliott was one of the co-founders of GreenWave, a student led sustainability movement at the Duke Marine Lab. He also instituted a Green by Design class at the Marine Lab bringing in all sorts of experts from business, fisheries etc. to come and chat about sustainability.
A special thanks to the 2008 EcoDaredevil Award sponsors: Ocean Conservancy, OceanRevolution.org, Duke University, The Clark Fork Watershed Education Program, YERT.com, Tree Media and ChicoBags
Elliott was one of the co-founders of GreenWave, a student led sustainability movement at the Duke Marine Lab. He also instituted a Green by Design class at the Marine Lab bringing in all sorts of experts from business, fisheries etc. to come and chat about sustainability.
A special thanks to the 2008 EcoDaredevil Award sponsors: Ocean Conservancy, OceanRevolution.org, Duke University, The Clark Fork Watershed Education Program, YERT.com, Tree Media and ChicoBags
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Earth Day OpEd: Are you an EcoDaredevil?
Here’s a sneak preview of my Earth Day OpEd...coming to a newspaper or website near you on April 22nd!
This is essentially the structure of the Earth Day keynote I will be giving at Duke next week...followed by the First Annual Ecodaredevil Award...to be presented to Evel Knievel’s granddaughter, Krysten Knievel, and a student EcoDaredevil TBA.
Jump the Chasm: Are you an EcoDaredevil? (375 words)
In the 1970’s, I idolized Evel Knievel. He was rock star, sports hero, and folk legend in one. His death-defying jumps inspired me to launch my bicycle over puddles and many a hapless friend.
Now, I find new inspiration in my childhood hero. In 1961, before he became “Evel,” Robert Craig Knievel hitchhiked with the rack of a bull elk from Montana to our nation’s capital to protest the culling of elk in Yellowstone. The Kennedy administration responded and countless elk were saved.
Today, we face more serious crises—loss of biodiversity, a warming planet, collapsing fisheries, looming food and water shortages, and pollution in every corner of the globe. Scientists forecast a “2050 Scenario” in which Earth is hotter, dirtier, and overcrowded with nine billion people who are left to wage wars for what little remains.
Jumping this chasm will be the greatest challenge we have ever faced. It will require revolutionary changes in society and technology. To succeed, we must be brave, creative, and outspoken. We must undertake the audacious, the impossible, and the dangerous. We must risk our financial, social, and physical comfort.
In other words, we must become EcoDaredevils.
Everywhere I go, I meet EcoDaredevils. They are debating, creating, evolving—yes, sometimes crashing—but always, always coming back for more. Two Texas women cleaning a beach and inspiring Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup that is now half-a-million strong. Sir Richard Branson greening aviation. Feliciano dos Santos campaigning with music for clean water in Africa. Architect Renzo Piano turning a massive roof into a meadow with solar panels. WaterKeeper Julio Solis drag racing in Mexico to raise awareness of our ocean crisis.
Changing light bulbs, inflating tires, and toting reusable bags are each important gestures. But it’s going to take action far more thrilling to make it over this canyon. We must do something for the planet—something that invites personal risk.
They say that Evel Knievel broke every bone in his body at one time or another. But, he kept on jumping. His steely will enthralled me as an eight-year old. It still does today.
So, it’s Earth Day 2008. Look deep inside. Grab hold of your inner EcoDaredevil. Strap on a helmet, some red-white-and-blue leathers, and let’s go for a ride.
Dr. Wallace J. Nichols is a Senior Scientist at Ocean Conservancy and a Research Associate at California Academy of Sciences.
This is essentially the structure of the Earth Day keynote I will be giving at Duke next week...followed by the First Annual Ecodaredevil Award...to be presented to Evel Knievel’s granddaughter, Krysten Knievel, and a student EcoDaredevil TBA.
Jump the Chasm: Are you an EcoDaredevil? (375 words)
In the 1970’s, I idolized Evel Knievel. He was rock star, sports hero, and folk legend in one. His death-defying jumps inspired me to launch my bicycle over puddles and many a hapless friend.
Now, I find new inspiration in my childhood hero. In 1961, before he became “Evel,” Robert Craig Knievel hitchhiked with the rack of a bull elk from Montana to our nation’s capital to protest the culling of elk in Yellowstone. The Kennedy administration responded and countless elk were saved.
Today, we face more serious crises—loss of biodiversity, a warming planet, collapsing fisheries, looming food and water shortages, and pollution in every corner of the globe. Scientists forecast a “2050 Scenario” in which Earth is hotter, dirtier, and overcrowded with nine billion people who are left to wage wars for what little remains.
Jumping this chasm will be the greatest challenge we have ever faced. It will require revolutionary changes in society and technology. To succeed, we must be brave, creative, and outspoken. We must undertake the audacious, the impossible, and the dangerous. We must risk our financial, social, and physical comfort.
In other words, we must become EcoDaredevils.
Everywhere I go, I meet EcoDaredevils. They are debating, creating, evolving—yes, sometimes crashing—but always, always coming back for more. Two Texas women cleaning a beach and inspiring Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup that is now half-a-million strong. Sir Richard Branson greening aviation. Feliciano dos Santos campaigning with music for clean water in Africa. Architect Renzo Piano turning a massive roof into a meadow with solar panels. WaterKeeper Julio Solis drag racing in Mexico to raise awareness of our ocean crisis.
Changing light bulbs, inflating tires, and toting reusable bags are each important gestures. But it’s going to take action far more thrilling to make it over this canyon. We must do something for the planet—something that invites personal risk.
They say that Evel Knievel broke every bone in his body at one time or another. But, he kept on jumping. His steely will enthralled me as an eight-year old. It still does today.
So, it’s Earth Day 2008. Look deep inside. Grab hold of your inner EcoDaredevil. Strap on a helmet, some red-white-and-blue leathers, and let’s go for a ride.
Dr. Wallace J. Nichols is a Senior Scientist at Ocean Conservancy and a Research Associate at California Academy of Sciences.
Earth Day: Are you an EcoDaredevil?
Find out who will win the prized EcoDaredevil Helmet Award!
Where: Duke University (Bryan Center, Von Canon C)
When: Earth Day, April 22nd, 2008 (6 pm)
Title: “Jump the Chasm: Are you an Eco-Daredevil?”
Earth Day Keynote Speaker - Wallace "J." Nichols Lecture and Eco-Reception
Wallace "J." Nichols, a Nicholas School graduate and sea turtle expert, works with universities and organizations to advance ocean protection and spearheads the Ocean Revolution, a program that inspires, involves and mentors the next generation of ocean conservationist. Nichols is a Senior Scientist at Ocean Conservancy and a Research Associate at California Academy of Sciences.
Following the keynote, Krysten Knievel, granddaughter of Evel Knievel, and a Duke student will be presented with the First Annual EcoDaredevil Award.
Space is limited, please RSVP to Arwen Buchholz. Limited parking will be available in the Bryan Center Parking Deck. Location: Bryan Center, Von Canon C
In preparation for the Wallace "J." Nichols speech on Earth Day we will be showing "The 11th Hour" documentary on April 17th. Nichols was one of the experts interviewed for the movie. This showing will be held in the LSRC, Love Auditorium B101.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
The 11th Hour, EcoDaredevils, The Clark Fork River and Montana Tech
BUTTE, MT – On Sunday, April 20th, the Clark Fork Watershed Education Program (CFWEP) hosted a free viewing of The 11th Hour documentary, followed by a keynote talk from acclaimed oceanographer and Ocean Conservancy Senio Scientist, Wallace J. Nichols on the campus of Montana Tech of the University of Montana in Butte. The event was in celebration of Earth Day and was attended by around 40 individuals.
“It would be impossible after watching the film and listening to Dr. Wallace J. Nichols for anyone who attended Sunday’s events to leave without realizing the impact we as humans have had on our planet,” said Matt Vincent, Director of the CFWEP. “Hopefully we will all be inspired to go out and do something to make a difference.”
Dr. Nichols made the stop in Butte, the hometown of legendary motorcycle daredevil Evel Knievel, to raise awareness and gain support for a new distinction he helped create, The EcoDaredevil Award. The inaugural award, inspired by Knievel’s unrivaled spirit of courage and creativity, was presented by Nichols on Earth Day to Duke University doctoral student Elliot Hazen.
An honorary award recognizing Knievel as the inspiration for the award was also presented to Krysten Knievel, granddaughter of the late daredevil great.
The CFWEP, one of the award’s sponsors, fosters environmental stewardship and scientific decision making through place-based learning. Since 2003, the CFWEP has provided environmental and restoration education programs and services in western Montana, reaching over 10,000 students and citizens of the basin to date.
The Clark Fork River links the largest contiguous complex of federal Superfund sites in the U.S. Ecosystems and communities in the area have been heavily impacted by historic mining and smelting wastes.
The largest Superfund site in the United States also serves as a showcase for environmental understanding, and how a damaged ecosystem can be restored.
“It would be impossible after watching the film and listening to Dr. Wallace J. Nichols for anyone who attended Sunday’s events to leave without realizing the impact we as humans have had on our planet,” said Matt Vincent, Director of the CFWEP. “Hopefully we will all be inspired to go out and do something to make a difference.”
Dr. Nichols made the stop in Butte, the hometown of legendary motorcycle daredevil Evel Knievel, to raise awareness and gain support for a new distinction he helped create, The EcoDaredevil Award. The inaugural award, inspired by Knievel’s unrivaled spirit of courage and creativity, was presented by Nichols on Earth Day to Duke University doctoral student Elliot Hazen.
An honorary award recognizing Knievel as the inspiration for the award was also presented to Krysten Knievel, granddaughter of the late daredevil great.
The CFWEP, one of the award’s sponsors, fosters environmental stewardship and scientific decision making through place-based learning. Since 2003, the CFWEP has provided environmental and restoration education programs and services in western Montana, reaching over 10,000 students and citizens of the basin to date.
The Clark Fork River links the largest contiguous complex of federal Superfund sites in the U.S. Ecosystems and communities in the area have been heavily impacted by historic mining and smelting wastes.
The largest Superfund site in the United States also serves as a showcase for environmental understanding, and how a damaged ecosystem can be restored.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
EcoDaredevil.com EVERYWHERE for Earth Day!
Let's see if we can get EVERYONE on FaceBook or MySpace to make the EcoDaredevil star their profile pic until Earth Day! Or if you have some other blog-ish thing...post it there. Or make it your screensaver. You can also tattoo it on your lower back or forehead. Or paint it on your barn.
That would be crazy cool. Tell your friends : )
...grab the logo from this website or download it HERE
That would be crazy cool. Tell your friends : )
...grab the logo from this website or download it HERE
Monday, April 7, 2008
An EcoDaredevil President? Yes, please.
Sputnik II: Climate change is almost universally accepted among scientists, and in fact the data indicate that the situation is critical.
Action taken in the next 1-2 presidential terms may determine the future viability of the planet.
The candidates have plans dealing with this on their web sites, but generally they speak about reducing carbon emissions by 80% from 1990 levels by the year 2050 - so long after the next president's term as to be somewhat analogous to JFK having said "I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this century is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to the earth."
A debate would help focus the candidates and the nation on assessing whether the candidates' plans are adequate, and what hopeful steps we can take as a nation to rebuild our economy around clean, low-carbon energy technologies like the ITER project, which congress inexplicably zeroed funding for in the last omnibus budget bill.
From ScienceDebate2008
Action taken in the next 1-2 presidential terms may determine the future viability of the planet.
The candidates have plans dealing with this on their web sites, but generally they speak about reducing carbon emissions by 80% from 1990 levels by the year 2050 - so long after the next president's term as to be somewhat analogous to JFK having said "I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this century is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to the earth."
A debate would help focus the candidates and the nation on assessing whether the candidates' plans are adequate, and what hopeful steps we can take as a nation to rebuild our economy around clean, low-carbon energy technologies like the ITER project, which congress inexplicably zeroed funding for in the last omnibus budget bill.
From ScienceDebate2008
EcoDaredevil Marcus Eriksen sails to Hawaii on plastic bottles!
From our amazing friend Sara Laimon:
Another eco daredevil and hero of mine is Marcus Eriksen (marcuseriksen@hotmail.com).
He is currently sailing a boat from LA to Hawaii made out of used plastic bottles that show the world that our ocean is invaded with plastic.
Algalita
and
Plastics Are Forever
...he is soooo amazing. He's definitely an EcoDaredevil.
He also made boats with us that floated in the Ballona Creek, others that sailed from Santa Barbara to San Diego, and one that sailed the entire Mississippi River...all to wake us up to our one time plastic consumption!
Greenly yours,
Sara Laimon
Environmental Charter High School
Green Ambassador Director
email: sara_laimon@echsonline.org
cell: 310-940-1626
phone: 310 214-3400 x123
Location: 16315 Grevillea Avenue.
Lawndale, CA 90260
Another eco daredevil and hero of mine is Marcus Eriksen (marcuseriksen@hotmail.com).
He is currently sailing a boat from LA to Hawaii made out of used plastic bottles that show the world that our ocean is invaded with plastic.
Algalita
and
Plastics Are Forever
...he is soooo amazing. He's definitely an EcoDaredevil.
He also made boats with us that floated in the Ballona Creek, others that sailed from Santa Barbara to San Diego, and one that sailed the entire Mississippi River...all to wake us up to our one time plastic consumption!
Greenly yours,
Sara Laimon
Environmental Charter High School
Green Ambassador Director
email: sara_laimon@echsonline.org
cell: 310-940-1626
phone: 310 214-3400 x123
Location: 16315 Grevillea Avenue.
Lawndale, CA 90260
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Evel Knievel, first an EcoDaredevil
Evel Knievel hitch hiked from Butte, Montana to Washington, D.C. in the dead of winter in an effort to save the excess elk from slaughter in Yellowstone Park. It happened back in 1961, well before he ever took on the "Evel" daredevil persona and motorcycle jumping career. It took him 11 days and he left Butte for D.C. despite sub-zero temperatures.
The fact is that Evel was always willing to take extraordinary risks and go to extremes in order to accomplish his dreams and further his cause, whatever they might have been.
This photo is from December 1961 inside the White House office of Mike Manatos, administrative assistant to John F. Kennedy, Knievel presenting him with the elk antlers with which he hitchhiked across the country. Evel is the one on the far left in the photo. (Thanks to Matt Vincent (MVincent@mtech.edu) for this bit of EcoDaredevil history)
Julio Solis: Drag racing Waterkeeper
Julio Solís, long time resident of San Carlos, directs the organization as the Keeper of Magdalena Bay. His work on the water with the School for Field studies and the Grupo Tortuguero has given Julio a particular attachment to the Bay. When he's not on the water, Julio can be found working on his drag racer, which he enters in competitions throughout the peninsula to bring attention to his EcoDaredevil work protecting his coast and ocean from aggressive polluters, developers and poachers.
Read more about Julio HERE
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Eco Elvis
Hello, I'm Eco Elvis. I'm Kansas City's own environmentally friendly Elvis impersonator. My job is to educate people and get them to take action for the environment. I do this by singing recycled versions of the King's songs and speaking to diverse audiences. Song titles include Burnin' Globe (Burning Love), Can't Help Recycling It All (Can't Help Falling In Love), etc.
This web site has two main purposes: to let you find out more about me, my shows and music and to give you the best information to take action for the environment in your daily life. So, enjoy it babuh, and...thankyuh, thankyuhverymuch for visiting!
Send me an email: kcriggs@everestkc.net
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Are you an EcoDaredevil (or do you know one)?
My earth-minded friends,
I'm giving an Earth Day keynote at Duke University later this month.
The title of the talk is "Jump the Chasm: Are you an EcoDaredevil?"
The talk will describe what I call the 2050 Scenario (predicted declines of life in the ocean and global biodiversity, climate change, water crisis, human population reaching 9 billion) and the bold ideas and efforts that will be required in the next decade to about that scenario.
I've been asked to take the message "beyond oceans", my area of expertise, however the ocean (as over 2/3 of our planet's surface) will feature prominently of course!
I'll use the metaphor and example of Evel Knievel (my childhood hero) to describe the kinds of EcoDaredevils the world needs...scientists, advocates, explorers, engineers, business people, journalists, filmmakers, educators, etc...who are willing to take risks, defy the status quo, innovate wildly and speak truth to power. For the sake of the planet and our future on it.
The later part of the talk will focus on examples of real EcoDaredevils, innovative ideas, revolutionary thinking.
Following we will have a surprise guest who will help present the First EcoDaredevil Award to a deserving young person who is helping us to "jump the chasm".
The audience is college-aged (all campus event)...and the venue is the large Bryan Center auditorium.
What I'm looking for are:
--good quality images that tell both sides of the story (the problems and the solutions)
--innovations and examples of revolutionary thinking
--short profiles of EcoDaredevils you may know (perhaps YOU!)
I've personally interviewed some luminaries (EO Wilson, Larry Crowder, Philippe Cousteau and Justin Brashears among them) and asked for a succinct statement on how we will "Jump the Chasm". They are great clips.
Again, my goal is to engage and motivate a group of young people to be EcoDaredevils, to take risks and think creatively about beginning part of the change that has to happen.
Thanks for your help!
I'm giving an Earth Day keynote at Duke University later this month.
The title of the talk is "Jump the Chasm: Are you an EcoDaredevil?"
The talk will describe what I call the 2050 Scenario (predicted declines of life in the ocean and global biodiversity, climate change, water crisis, human population reaching 9 billion) and the bold ideas and efforts that will be required in the next decade to about that scenario.
I've been asked to take the message "beyond oceans", my area of expertise, however the ocean (as over 2/3 of our planet's surface) will feature prominently of course!
I'll use the metaphor and example of Evel Knievel (my childhood hero) to describe the kinds of EcoDaredevils the world needs...scientists, advocates, explorers, engineers, business people, journalists, filmmakers, educators, etc...who are willing to take risks, defy the status quo, innovate wildly and speak truth to power. For the sake of the planet and our future on it.
The later part of the talk will focus on examples of real EcoDaredevils, innovative ideas, revolutionary thinking.
Following we will have a surprise guest who will help present the First EcoDaredevil Award to a deserving young person who is helping us to "jump the chasm".
The audience is college-aged (all campus event)...and the venue is the large Bryan Center auditorium.
What I'm looking for are:
--good quality images that tell both sides of the story (the problems and the solutions)
--innovations and examples of revolutionary thinking
--short profiles of EcoDaredevils you may know (perhaps YOU!)
I've personally interviewed some luminaries (EO Wilson, Larry Crowder, Philippe Cousteau and Justin Brashears among them) and asked for a succinct statement on how we will "Jump the Chasm". They are great clips.
Again, my goal is to engage and motivate a group of young people to be EcoDaredevils, to take risks and think creatively about beginning part of the change that has to happen.
Thanks for your help!
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