In order for our cross-country video project to be successful, we need to give kids a good set of tools they can use to make change happen in their communities.
Our mission is to inspire and empower kids to create a renewable and sustainable future. Kids across the U.S. will see our videos - then what? Hopefully we'll help kids to feel like they have the power to create meaningful change in their lives and communities, and it's our job to empower kids with ways they can get started. It's easy for kids and adults to feel intimidated by the choices out there, so we'll break it down into 3 categories: individual, community, and political.
1. Individual
Do small choices/changes really make any difference? Nobody wants to feel like they are sacrificing, especially when nobody else is making an effort. We'll give a Top 10 list of things people can do to have a real impact - no symbolic changes that don't make any real difference.
2. Community
Creating meaningful change in the community is where kids can really shine. Bringing sustainability to communities is an investment in time and energy - people want to make sure the results of their efforts are worthwhile. We'll provide a set of action "toolkits" for kids to use as resources to start project to make their communities more sustainable. These will not be a simple list of suggestions, but a detailed, how-to with videos and success stories of others whose projects made their communities more sustainable.
3. Political
The solutions to create a renewable and sustainable future have to be non-partisan. Kids can demand that their politicians tart being part of the solution rather than being part of the problem. Why would politicians care about the opinions of kids that can't vote? Because their parents can, and because politicians want to avoid looking bad at all costs.
The Internet has many great resources for helping people make more sustainable choices, but these are geared mostly for adults. We can add tremendous value to resources online by addressing what actions kids can make individually, in their community, and politically. Green living and sustainability may be new to many adults, but these will be concepts that kids will be living with for their whole lives. Following our videos across the U.S. may be the first part of that journey, but the road stretches much farther still.
Be well,
Colin
Friday, September 26, 2008
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Speaking to Auditoriums Full of Kids
Oh, the interesting twists our journey is taking us!
If you told me a year ago that Carrick and I would be speaking in school auditoriums to hundreds of kids at a time, I'd know you were crazy.
We got an invitation to come speak in the auditorium of a school; they asked us to bring some of our videos to show, and Carrick and I could talk about our work and our cross-country project, maybe inspire some of the kids by showing them an example of what a kid can do. The press came for the feel-good story - a 9-year-old kid who speaks to auditoriums full of kids about kid power - the ultimate renewable energy. Next thing you know we're in demand!
Carrick and his dad Colin - motivational speakers.
For his part, Carrick is unfazed in front of a crowd of 20 or 200. I don't think he knows to be self-conscious about speaking to a group of kids - score another for homeschooling! I, on the other hand, would have been completely terrified to do that when I was 9 years old. This project has given me opportunities to challenge myself, to get outside of my comfort zone. I believe strongly in the importance of our work, and that feeling of purpose is enough to get me out there.
Be well,
Colin
If you told me a year ago that Carrick and I would be speaking in school auditoriums to hundreds of kids at a time, I'd know you were crazy.
We got an invitation to come speak in the auditorium of a school; they asked us to bring some of our videos to show, and Carrick and I could talk about our work and our cross-country project, maybe inspire some of the kids by showing them an example of what a kid can do. The press came for the feel-good story - a 9-year-old kid who speaks to auditoriums full of kids about kid power - the ultimate renewable energy. Next thing you know we're in demand!
Carrick and his dad Colin - motivational speakers.
For his part, Carrick is unfazed in front of a crowd of 20 or 200. I don't think he knows to be self-conscious about speaking to a group of kids - score another for homeschooling! I, on the other hand, would have been completely terrified to do that when I was 9 years old. This project has given me opportunities to challenge myself, to get outside of my comfort zone. I believe strongly in the importance of our work, and that feeling of purpose is enough to get me out there.
Be well,
Colin
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Kid Power - the Ultimate Renewable Energy!
If I had to bet on any form of renewable energy, it would be kid power.
We've all heard people say about kids "Gee, I wish I could bottle some of that energy for myself." If kids learned to harness their energy to create meaningful change, imagine what kinds of real, significant changes they could make in their own communities!
It's no secret that kids are one of the 3 pillars of advertising - people are interested in hearing stories of kids who are doing extraordinary things. We love to root for the little guy, the underdog. Seeing kids successes inspires us, perhaps in part because we adults feel that "hey, if a kid can do it..." That's just the thing though - kids enjoy some unique benefits:
1. They get less criticism - Really, who wants to publicly be seen criticizing a child who is trying to make a difference? The saying "using kid gloves" comes to mind.
2. They're better at getting what they ask for - Similarly, who wants to be seen publicly refusing to help a child who is trying to make a difference? Girl Scout cookies would never so successful if they weren't sold door-to-door by little girls.
3. Kids have the art of surprise - Kids are generally seen as being somewhat lazy, so adults never expect kids to do amazing things. Word spreads quickly when they do - parents tell their kids in an attempt to use some competitiveness to motivate them.
For the most part, kids are unaware that they have this ability to get people's attention and create meaningful change. It's not a message that is generally heard in school. The stories about kids we see in the media are usually examples of extremes: exceptional athletes, musicians, artists, actors and actresses. These often reinforce the idea that unless you have extraordinary talent, you're incapable of accomplishing extraordinary things.
That's it for now, check out Kid Power, the Ultimate Renewable Energy Part II next week.
Be well,
Colin
We've all heard people say about kids "Gee, I wish I could bottle some of that energy for myself." If kids learned to harness their energy to create meaningful change, imagine what kinds of real, significant changes they could make in their own communities!
It's no secret that kids are one of the 3 pillars of advertising - people are interested in hearing stories of kids who are doing extraordinary things. We love to root for the little guy, the underdog. Seeing kids successes inspires us, perhaps in part because we adults feel that "hey, if a kid can do it..." That's just the thing though - kids enjoy some unique benefits:
1. They get less criticism - Really, who wants to publicly be seen criticizing a child who is trying to make a difference? The saying "using kid gloves" comes to mind.
2. They're better at getting what they ask for - Similarly, who wants to be seen publicly refusing to help a child who is trying to make a difference? Girl Scout cookies would never so successful if they weren't sold door-to-door by little girls.
3. Kids have the art of surprise - Kids are generally seen as being somewhat lazy, so adults never expect kids to do amazing things. Word spreads quickly when they do - parents tell their kids in an attempt to use some competitiveness to motivate them.
For the most part, kids are unaware that they have this ability to get people's attention and create meaningful change. It's not a message that is generally heard in school. The stories about kids we see in the media are usually examples of extremes: exceptional athletes, musicians, artists, actors and actresses. These often reinforce the idea that unless you have extraordinary talent, you're incapable of accomplishing extraordinary things.
That's it for now, check out Kid Power, the Ultimate Renewable Energy Part II next week.
Be well,
Colin
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Our Video Contest Entries - HELP!
Here's a thought: fossil fuels are polluting...duh.
I heard an interesting take on that on the radio lately. Our major sources of electricity: coal, nuclear, oil, and gas, require government regulatory agencies to do regular site visits to make sure the power plants aren't polluting more than they are allowed to. Gotta keep an eye on those sneaky devils and make sure they're not trying to get away with anything, at least while someones watching, right? Well, that's a whole groups of agencies that no longer need to exist with renewable energy. Factor that into the cost-benefit analysis for renewables!
OK, as part of our effort to spread the word about our video project, and win some money to help fund it, we've entered a few video contests. If you could take a minute to watch and vote, it would support our project!
Climate Matters video contest:
Here are our two entries - I've embedded them here, but if that doesn't work I've provided the URLs. The video with the most views wins $3,000, so please watch and forward!
1. An Inconvenient Youth - http://vimeo.com/1611792
As the youth of today become more aware of climate change and how it affects their future, their voices will be impossible to ignore. This video features 8-year-old Carrick, who sends a message to politicians from the future generation.
An Inconvenient Youth from Colin McCullough on Vimeo.
2. 456% Renewable! - http://vimeo.com/1623929
In the U.S., we have an abundance of natural resources that we can use to reach 100% renewable energy, although many still insist we will continue to need coal, nuclear, oil, and gas. Why? Our renewable energy resources could produce 4 1/2 times as much electricity as this country uses, if we wanted to make it happen. Our politicians need to embrace the future of renewable energy!
456% Renewable! from Colin McCullough on Vimeo.
EarthKeepers Video Contest
Our entry, 'Our Renewable Nation', is our 3-minute video about the travel project. If you go to www.youtube.com/earthkeepers, you can vote for our video from the top 3. you have to be logged into YouTube, and next to our video is a thumbs-up to click to vote for our video. The contest winner gets $5,000!
Of course, any money we might win from either contest would all go towards funding our travel project!
Be well,
Colin
I heard an interesting take on that on the radio lately. Our major sources of electricity: coal, nuclear, oil, and gas, require government regulatory agencies to do regular site visits to make sure the power plants aren't polluting more than they are allowed to. Gotta keep an eye on those sneaky devils and make sure they're not trying to get away with anything, at least while someones watching, right? Well, that's a whole groups of agencies that no longer need to exist with renewable energy. Factor that into the cost-benefit analysis for renewables!
OK, as part of our effort to spread the word about our video project, and win some money to help fund it, we've entered a few video contests. If you could take a minute to watch and vote, it would support our project!
Climate Matters video contest:
Here are our two entries - I've embedded them here, but if that doesn't work I've provided the URLs. The video with the most views wins $3,000, so please watch and forward!
1. An Inconvenient Youth - http://vimeo.com/1611792
As the youth of today become more aware of climate change and how it affects their future, their voices will be impossible to ignore. This video features 8-year-old Carrick, who sends a message to politicians from the future generation.
An Inconvenient Youth from Colin McCullough on Vimeo.
2. 456% Renewable! - http://vimeo.com/1623929
In the U.S., we have an abundance of natural resources that we can use to reach 100% renewable energy, although many still insist we will continue to need coal, nuclear, oil, and gas. Why? Our renewable energy resources could produce 4 1/2 times as much electricity as this country uses, if we wanted to make it happen. Our politicians need to embrace the future of renewable energy!
456% Renewable! from Colin McCullough on Vimeo.
EarthKeepers Video Contest
Our entry, 'Our Renewable Nation', is our 3-minute video about the travel project. If you go to www.youtube.com/earthkeepers, you can vote for our video from the top 3. you have to be logged into YouTube, and next to our video is a thumbs-up to click to vote for our video. The contest winner gets $5,000!
Of course, any money we might win from either contest would all go towards funding our travel project!
Be well,
Colin
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