November 18, 2024 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

KCET Launches “EARTH FOCUS ”– Its Second Annual Environmental Film Festival

Our planet is being attacked.  Under the direction of the unscrupulous Director of the Environmental Protection Agency, Scott Pruitt, we witness destruction of environmental protections enacted under President Obama’s administration. Ironically, when Pruitt was Attorney General of Oklahoma, he sued the EPA to try to block rules that protect our air and water. At the behest of the Trump administration, Pruitt made sure the words “climate change” were deleted from EPA language, validating the ignorant belief that climate change is just a “hoax. ” Another horrifying reversal is Trump lifting the ban on importation of animal trophies such as elephant tusks.

Droughts and floods are driving many people in Mongolia away from their rural, farming communities into big cities.
(Climate Migration airs Wednesday May 2)
Photo: Courtesy of Thomson Reuters Foundation

Education is paramount so a big thank you must go to KCETLink Media Group and the Thomson Reuters Foundation for the second annual “EARTH FOCUS Environmental Film Festival” whose purpose is to bring awareness and dialogue of the effects of global warming. The only one of its kind, the festival kicked off at Sony Studios with the West Coast premiere of “Love & Bananas: An Elephant Story,” a film which illuminates the barbaric treatment of elephants. The story revolves around Asian elephants rather than those inhabiting Africa where elephants are slaughtered for their ivory.  However, the plight of the Asian species is not as well known even though those are the elephants used in zoos, circuses, or elephant rides.

L-R: Owner of the Elephant Sanctuary in Thailand with Ashley Bell and Lek Chailert, TIME Magazine’s “Hero of Asia.”
Photo: Courtesy of Thomson Reuters Foundation

“Love & Bananas,” is a well-made documentary written by Ashley Bell, John Michael McCarthy, and Fernanda Rossi, featuring Bell as the on-camera narrator.  She takes us on an arduous journey with a team of elephant rescuers led by world-renowned Asian elephant conservationist and TIME Magazine’s “Hero of Asia,” Sangdeaun Lek Chailert. This dedicated group drove 480 miles across Thailand to rescue Noi Na, a 70-year-old partially blind trekking elephant.  Ultimately, they bring her to a sanctuary where she can live out her life in an environment similar to a natural habitat where she can roam freely and interact with the rest of the rescued elephants. Abramorama has acquired the North American theatrical distribution rights for “Love & Bananas” so watch for it at your local theatre.  It’s quite fascinating.

In Madagascar, villagers are closing off marine areas to allow the fish supply to replenish at a natural pace. (Future of Food airs Wednesday, May 23)
Photo: Courtesy of Thomson Reuters Foundation

The EARTH FOCUS series will spotlight undeniable effects of climate change, especially relative to recent devastating floods as well as future potential catastrophic “natural” disasters. There is hope, however, as cities surrounded by water such as San Francisco, which is already experiencing sinking land, or New Orleans, which was devastated by Hurricane Katrina, are already investing millions of dollars in the development and building of levies, as well as developing long-term plans to prevent the potential destruction of other cities at sea level.

 

Following is the KCETLink Media Group and Thomson Reuters Foundation EARTH FOCUS Lineup:

“Sea Level Rising: Living with Water” – Wednesday, Apr. 25 on KCET and Thurs., Apr. 26 on Link TV.

Louisiana is learning from Hurricane Katrina. Forecasts are dire for Louisiana to experience the second-highest sea level rise in the world. There is a big movement brewing in New Orleans to build adaptive “resilience zones.” In Southeast Louisiana, the native peoples of the Isle de Jean Charles have become the first U.S citizens moving within their homeland displaced by climate change.

“Climate Migration” – Wednesday, May 2 on KCET and Thursday, May 3 on Link TV.  

Populations are dramatically shifting as climate change drives migration. Droughts and floods are driving many people away from their rural, farming communities into big cities. We see how this is manifesting in Mongolia and examine the factors leading to the new community of Haitian people living in limbo at the border between Mexico and the U.S.

“City Planning” – Wednesday, May 9 on KCET and Thursday, May 10 on Link TV.  

Two cities, San Francisco and Freetown, brace for climate change using vastly different methodologies. San Francisco’s developers are building expensive real estate on floodplains as officials try to heed expert projections on future sea levels.  On the other side of the world, a deadly mudslide caused by torrential rains and deforestation in Sierra Leone shows the consequences of city planning that doesn’t take climate change into account.

 

“Adaptation to Global Water Shortages” – Wednesday, May 16 on KCET and Thursday, May 17 on Link TV.  

Anticipating future water needs, two regions on opposite sides of the world turn to technology for answers.  Western Morocco, near the Sahara Desert, is currently facing unprecedented drought and groundwater mismanagement. But an ancient method of gathering moisture from fog is being taught to 13 villages, allowing people to have a level of local control over their most basic need.  Central Valley California: The food basket of the world uses nearly 80 percent of the entire state’s water supply. Yet there are still close to one million people who don’t have access to clean drinking water. Researchers at UCLA may change that through a technology that would allow unincorporated rural communities to control how contaminated water is treated.

 

“Future of Food” – Wednesday, May 23 on KCET and Thursday, May 24 on Link TV.  

Communities and innovators all over the world are creating new sustainable food sources that are resilient to climate change and growing populations. In Madagascar we see how villagers are closing off marine areas to allow the fish supply to replenish at a natural pace. In San Diego, California, aquaculturists are exploring open ocean farming as a more sustainable model for the fishing industry.

 

“Urban Habitat” – Wednesday, May 30 on KCET and Thursday, May 31 on Link TV.  

With so much biodiversity in the highly urban area of Los Angeles, species are thriving despite human interference, and in some cases because of it.

This is one series you will not want to miss.  As dramatic as this may sound, the life of this planet is at stake and knowledge will lead to action.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

<>Related Posts

Expect Delays: PCH Lane Closures in Malibu Begin Friday and One Lane Closure Continues Next Week

November 15, 2024

November 15, 2024

Caltrans Schedules Rock Scaling Work, Announces a Week-Long 24/7 Lane Closure Motorists traveling along Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) in Malibu...

Film Review: Small Things Like These

November 15, 2024

November 15, 2024

Small Things Like TheseRated PG-1398 MinutesReleased November 8th This may seem like a simple film about grief and finding the...

(Video) Plaque Apologizing for Racist Policies Unveiled Outside Santa Monica City Hall

November 14, 2024

November 14, 2024

 In Addition to the Plaque, the City of Santa Monica is Set to Include Racial Inclusion as Part of its...

(Video) Rose Bowl Half Marathon is Returning to Los Angeles

November 14, 2024

November 14, 2024

The 13.1 Mi Course Traverses Historic Neighborhoods and Scenic Views.

California Corrections Officer Arrested For Showing Nude Photograph to Minors

November 14, 2024

November 14, 2024

He Has No Prior Criminal Record, According to Authorities By Zach Armstrong A worker for the California Department of Corrections...

(Video) The Willows: 30 Years Going Strong

November 14, 2024

November 14, 2024

Founded in 1994, The Willows Community School, located in Culver City, California, is a Developmental Kindergarten through 8th grade non-profit, co-educational independent school...

Actress Chanel Maya Banks Found in Texas, Family Disputes LAPD’s Closure of the Case

November 14, 2024

November 14, 2024

Family Questions Authenticity of Inflammatory Social Media Posts The events in the case of Chanel Maya Banks, the Playa Vista-based...

Water Recycling Facility Captures Over 50 Million Gallons, Wins National Awards

November 14, 2024

November 14, 2024

The SWIP, Which Launched in 2022, Is Part of Santa Monica’s Strategy to Bolster Water Resiliency Santa Monica’s Sustainable Water...

Venice Shooting Leaves One Injured in Attempted Carjacking

November 13, 2024

November 13, 2024

The Investigation is Ongoing Police are investigating a shooting that occurred around 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday in Venice, leaving a...

Santa Monica Hotels Offer Extra Bedroom Program for Locals Welcoming Visitors

November 13, 2024

November 13, 2024

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (November 11, 2024) – Santa Monica Travel & Tourism announces the return of the popular “I Wish...

Venice Canals Holiday Boat Parade Returns for 43rd Annual Event

November 13, 2024

November 13, 2024

Each Year, Residents and Visitors Gather Along the Canals to Enjoy the Lights, Music and Creative Displays The Venice Canals...

(Video) What Parents Love about Vistamar’s Open House v1

November 13, 2024

November 13, 2024

Why attend a Vistamar admissions open house? Parents talk about all that you can experience when you visit. At Open...

Latest Santa Monica Municipal Election Results as of November 11, 2024

November 13, 2024

November 13, 2024

Totals in All Races for the City of Santa Monica as Vote Count Continues The city of Santa Monica has...

Theatre Palisades Presents Steven Dietz’s Private Eyes, a Comedy of Deception and Intrigue

November 12, 2024

November 12, 2024

Comedy thriller Private Eyes explores love, betrayal, and illusion in Theatre Palisades’ latest production Theatre Palisades opens its latest production,...

9th Circuit Court Blocks Modular Housing Plan for West L.A. VA Campus: Report

November 12, 2024

November 12, 2024

The Order Follows Judge Carter’s Directive in August for the VA to Create 1,800 Permanent Supportive Housing Units and 750...