Avatar: Un-sustainability Run Ammuck!

I saw Avatar last night. AEC's Board President and a friend saw it on Wednesday night and told me it was amazing, and packed with every kind of story-line you could imagine: cowboys & indians, Pocahontas, environmentalism, over-run capitalism. I would have to agree with that, and multiply it. Wow, what a story line and it's hard to think of a meaning that James Cameron didn't include.

Also, let me get it out of the way that the effects and wow-factor were off the charts. Seeing it in 3-D helped, but I think it would have jumped off the screen in any theater. With larger-than-life creatures and futuristic depictions, it was truly amazing. One of those have-to-see-at-the-theater kind of movies. I tend to evaluate a movie's worth at the theater based on whether it would lose anything being seen on DVD at home. This is one of those worth going to see.

However, that encourages more consumerism which is one of the issues that I was struck by in this film. The main story of the movie is how humans have come to this distant planet to mine it's resources, assumed to be sent back to Earth. Unfortunately, a native people's "Tree of Life" is standing on the largest deposit of this precious resource. Therefore, corporate interests and the military plot to infiltrate the natives, win their trust, and convince them to move. Sound familiar...?

They seek the precious resource "Unobtanium." How great is that! Maybe that should be a signal that we shouldn't be trying to obtain it. But, you learn through the native discussion that "they have killed their mother," referring, I imagine, to Earth being ravaged and left for waste. It's also interesting to observe the representation of Unobtanium in the movie. Looks familiar to me.

What are we doing? Why are we not able to see the signs? Why are we so intent on living beyond our means that we are willing to destroy the giver of all life? Any element that is here, has come from Earth and can never be replaced. Once its gone, that's it. We will have to go looking for more Unobtanium. Is that science-fiction?

Again, I would encourage you to see this movie. I felt more appreciative of what I so often take for granted. Walking, breathing, visiting our natural wonders, respecting what others hold as sacred...they go on and on. Truly, it was amazing on so many levels.

PS. Let's all pledge to take care of this planet Earth, our island home!

5% Donations at Whole Foods Benefit AEC on January 13th

This coming Wednesday, January 13th, 5% of all sales at Whole Foods Market in Birmingham will be donated to the Alabama Environmental Council. This is their quarterly fundraiser for local charities and the first time it is being donated to the AEC. Whole Foods does this benefit for non-profits as a part of its commitment to helping communities grow stronger and healthier.

Michael Churchman, executive director of the AEC, said he is thrilled with this partnership. "This opportunity provided by Whole Foods Market will allow us to educate the public about our new Regional Recycling Initiative and Downtown Birmingham Community Recycling Center, and raise some much needed funding," said Churchman. "On behalf of our organization, we are grateful to Whole Foods Market for their generosity, enabling us to further our efforts and mission.

Technical KnockOut, one of the AEC's recycling partners, will be onsite from 10AM-3PM to accept electronics recycling. If you have E-waste that needs to be recycled, this is a great opportunity. A complete list of accepted items can be found on the website www.aeconline.org.

AEC Staff and volunteers will be on hand to distribute materials, brand-new stickers, and sell T-shirts. If you have questions or comments for the organization, you can contact Michael at michael@aeconline.org.