Environmental Education Media Project

Ecosystem Restoration Group Garners Multiple Honors

From European Funder and Film Festivals from Montana to Brazil

[FAIRFAX, VA]— A project run by two faculty members from George Mason University, the Environmental Education Media Project (EEMP), has been awarded a three-year grant from the Dutch committee of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN-NL).  EEMP founder, John D. Liu, and Jonathan J. Halperin, Executive Director, joined the Center for Climate and Society in the Fall of 2009 and attended the COP15 Climate Change Summit as part of an interdisciplinary team headed by Professor Paul Schopf.

EEMPs latest documentary, ”Hope in a Changing Climate,” also received the Best in Category: Ecosystem award from the prestigious International Wildlife Film Festival in Montana.  In Brazil, The International Festival of Environmental Film and Video also just announced that “Hope” has been accepted into its highly competitive global festival.

Shot in stunning HD on location in China, Ethiopia and Rwanda, the film shows the compelling story of local people restoring their land, and features interviews with president of Rwanda HE Paul Kagame and the head of the United Nations Environment Programme, Achim Steiner.  Jeremy Bristow, producer of award-winning BBC documentaries featuring Sir David Attenborough, directs “Hope in a Changing Climate”.  The film is presented by John D. Liu, founder of EEMP and an environmental filmmaker and ecological field researcher who has produced and directed documentaries for CBS, National Geographic and the BBC.

In addition to the award for best ecosystem film, “Hope” also received six merit awards from IWFF:  Presenter, Storytelling, Scientific Content, Conservation Initiative, Conservation Message, and Human-Environment.  The grant from IUCN-NL is part of a larger initiative, We ARE The World, supported by the National Postcode Lottery of The Netherlands.  The festival in Brazil takes place in Goias from June 8-12 and the 33^rd annual IWWF runs from May 8 – May 15 in Missoula, Montana.

“Hope in a Changing Climate” premiered at the Museum of Geology in Copenhagen during the COP15 Climate Change Summit, has aired globally on BBC World, and been screened by more than sixty organizations in 29 nations.  Financial support for “Hope” has been provided by IUCN-Netherlands, Open University, The Rockefeller Foundation, the Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture, and The World Bank.

EEMP April Events - Washington, New York, Virginia

Sunday, April 18, “Earth Week on the National Mall”

EEMP Executive Director Jonathan J. Halperin will show a clip of “Hope in a Changing Climate” and speak about the film’s core themes, joining a venue of over 20 artists and leaders celebrating the 40^th anniversary of Earth Day on the National Mall.  The event is from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. For additional information, visit the Earth Day Network.

Monday, April 19, US Forest Service International Programs Seminar Series presents: Hope in a Changing Climate: An Approach to Restoring Damaged Ecosystems

The US Forest Services will host a screening & discussion of 'Hope in a Changing Climate” with Jonathan J. Halperin, EEMP Executive Director from 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm at its Washington DC office (1099 14th Street, NW, Suite 5500W, Washington, DC  20005). The office is near the McPherson Square Metro. Please R.S.V.P to Pari Henkai at phenkai [at] fs.fed.us. (Note: A photo ID is required to enter the building.) For more information, visit the US Forest Service International Programs.

Tuesday, April 20: EEMP attends the 'Creating Climate Wealth' conference at Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business, April 20-22

EEMP Executive Director Jonathan J. Halperin will join other entrepreneurs and corporate executives, creative financial partners, forward thinking government and non-profit professionals to “Create Road Maps to a Post Carbon Future”— to provide their insights and expertise on the policies, market frameworks, and programs that will clear the barriers to deliver emission reductions and promote job creation. Speakers include Richard Branson (Founder and Chairman, The Virgin Group), Wesley Clark (Chairman, US Investment Bank Rodman & Renshaw) and Jose Maria Figueres (former President of Costa Rica and CEO of the World Economic Forum).

Monday, April 26:  George Mason University celebrates Earth Day with a screening of “Hope in a Changing Climate”

“Hope in a Changing Climate” film will screen at George Mason University’s Arlington campus. The film will be followed by a facilitated discussion by Jonathan J. Halperin, Executive Director, and Dann Sklarew, Associate Professor with the Environmental Science and Policy Department at George Mason University. The event will be from 5-7:00 pm, Original Building, in room 329.

Dr. Sklarew contributed actively to the formulation of Mason's first Greenhouse Gas Inventory (2009) and Climate Action Plan (2010). He also serves as the Associate Director for Mason's Potomac Environmental Research and Education Center (PEREC), leading projects and advising initiatives related to regional environmental education, watershed management, climate change mitigation and adaptation. For 8 years before to returning to his doctoral alma mater, Dr. Sklarew directed a global United Nations project, the "International Waters Learning Exchange and Resource Network." He has also served as a consultant to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the Global Environmental Facility and other regional, national and international environmental agencies and organizations.

To RSVP for the event, contact Danielle Wyman dwyman [at] gmu.edu.

Monday, April 28: World Bank Screening of 'Hope in a Changing Climate'

With a focus on the Latin America and Caribbean region, the World Bank is hosting an internal screening of Hope in a Changing Climate.  Juergen Voegele, Head of Agriculture and Rural Affairs at the World bank (along with one of the Bank's chief Caribbean development officers who will speak on the topic of Haiti), and EEMP Executive Jonathan J. Halperin will present the film and lead a discussion.

Friday, April 30: The Rockefeller Foundation Screening of 'Hope in a Changing Climate'

To commemorate the 40^th anniversary of Earth Day, The Rockefeller Foundation is screening “Hope in a Changing Climate.  EEMP Executive Director Jonathan J. Halperin will introduce the film and lead a discussion.