Crashing planes, crashing Olympians, nuclear warheads and nuclear power plants are just a few of the news headlines that are opportunities for you to get involved with our films Social Action campaigns.
Countdown to Zero
It looks like there's going to be a few nuclear showdowns. One between the US and Iran which appears to be developing weapons for a nuclear warhead. The Obama Administration is considering sanctions against the country, but is balancing those against the need to support the ongoing political reform movement which would be hurt by the sanctions. At the same time, the White House is gearing up for a battle with members of both parties in Congress who are bothered by plans to increase nuclear weapons funding to address our nation's aging stockpile of weapons. This will be coupled with the nearly finished treaty with Russia that will reduce some stockpiles and the Administration's efforts to secure Senate approval of a global test-ban treaty.
The threat of nuclear weapons isn't something people only in Iran are worrying about. It's a threat to all of us in the US. You can get involved today with Global Zero to address this global crisis.
Food, Inc.
Although I've only been able to watch a few snippets of the Olympics, it's inspiring. Speed skaters gracefully glide around tracks while skiiers fly down mountain slopes faster than most of us drive and others taunt us with their ability to soar and flip through the air. Most of us will only make it to the Olympics, if we're lucky, as visitors. But, these beautiful athletes should be a reminder to all of us to get outside and start moving! With 1/3 of all kids in the US struggling with obesity, these athletes are the best food and nutrition role-models for kids. You can't make it or survive at the Olympics on junk food. Learn more about how to eat better shape with Center for Science in the Public Interest.
An Inconvenient Truth
It was disappointing to learn that the Obama Administration is moving forward with building new nuclear power plants. The timing couldn't have been more ironic: one day this week, the president announced the building of the plants while later in the week Vice President Biden discussed the Administration's nuclear weapons plans, including a reduction of stockpiles. The two issues are connected. Nuclear power is not the answer to solving global warming. It's dangerous to our environment (as with the weapons, can someone please tell me where the waste will be securely stored for thousands of years?) and a threat to our national security (think terrorists). There are alternatives: learn how we can solve the global warming crisis through renewable energy technology and changes in our lifestyles.
Cane Toads
Our upcoming 3-D documentary, dubbed Ava-toad by its director, Mark Lewis, offers an amusing insight into the serious problem of invasive species, such as Australia's cane toad. Invasive plants and animals are a serious economic and environmental threat around the globe. The Asian Carp, which has been marching up the Mississippi River and now threatens to move into the Great Lakes will now have to face the federal government. The government is armed with about $78 million to try to stop the carp from invading the Lakes, which could seriously harm the region's $7 billion fishing industry. Learn more today about invasive species and what you can do in your home and community to prevent them from taking hold.
Standard Operating Procedure
In case you didn't hear, Vice President Dick Cheney supports and authorized the use of torture while in office. Lovely. Isn't it great to hear that he not only supported but actively pushed for our government to defy international laws (aka the Geneva Conventions) about torture. Oh, and torturing those people resulted in no credible information for our government. It was a dark moment in our nation and the legacy continues. Learn more about how you can get involved with Physicians for Human Rights' Campaign Against Torture.
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