Energy is all around us. However, how we choose to use it is a different story.
“Happening: A Clean Energy Revolution,” is a movie that documents people around the globe trying to make smarter choices to preserve the world we live in. The film will be played Oct. 3 in the auditorium of Brown Hall at ETSU at 6 p.m.
Partnering with the Citizens’ Climate Lobby, the Department of Sustainability is putting on an event that will allow for a viewing and in-depth discussion of this film.
Kathleen Moore, director of sustainability, believes this event is important not only to shed light on things like climate change, but also to take politics out of this universal conversation.
“We know that many politicians do believe in climate change, and they do believe that we need to come up with a cleaner energy source,” Moore said. “It’s become a very politicized issue, and what CCL is trying to do is come up with an economic and technical solution that will work for people in any political party.”
CCL lobbies not only for conservation of energy but also for informing higher-ups on what this really entails.
“Citizens’ Climate Lobby is a nonpartisan group who are promoting innovative ways for us to go from a carbon economy to a non-carbon economy,” Moore said. “This group goes and educates congressman and local representatives about the different possibilities that are out there.”
Documentaries such as “Happening: A Clean Energy Revolution,” is an example of the kind of thing CCL promotes. The film is directed by James Redford, son of Robert Redford, and is meant to enlighten the public on what clean energy alternatives could look like.
“It’s a documentary about him and his journey traveling around the world looking at what communities are doing to promote a clean energy economy,” Moore said. “He’s looking at the possible solutions that we have out there right now.”
The event will also host several local panelists, who will be taking questions after the viewing of the film. These panelists are made up of qualified experts here in the Tri-Cities that are invested in clean energy.
Moore believes that alternative to energy is not the only important point in this conversation.
“Clean energy is great, but the best energy is the kind you don’t use,” she said. “If you can be energy efficient and use less, that’s better than having to produce it figure out where it will come from.”
Moore also wants people to know that this should not be an overly political discussion for a reason she believes is universal.
“I think we can all agree that we don’t want our climate to change to the point where we can’t live here anymore,” she said. “Everybody wants clean air, clean water and healthy food to eat. That’s our mantra.”
The event is free for everyone, and Moore encourages people of all ages and groups to take part in this conversation.
“We want this to be open to anybody and everybody,” she said. “We need to get that next generation to step up. It’s up to you guys now.”
For more information about this event, visit https://go.activecalendar.com/etsu/event/the-happening-a-clean-energy-revolution/. To learn more about the film, go to www.thehappeningmovie.com.
