Want to learn more about climate activism and what you can do to help fight global warming? Bill McKibben, best-selling author, lifelong activist, and founder of Step it Up will be joined by Mike Tidwell of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, one of the most effective regional climate groups in the country, for a FREE climate activism training.

Thursday, November 29, 2007. 5pm-9pm

Miami-Dade College, Wolfson Campus – Building 3000 – Room 3210

300 NE 2nd Ave Downtown Miami (campus map)

RSVP: Space is limited – please RSVP with your contact information by November 21st.

And Miami, please don’t disappoint me. Enter the contest today to win free tickets to An Inconvenient Truth.

Last night I was invited to attend a pre-screening of An Inconvenient Truth, which opens today in select South Florida theaters. It was a packed house, with attendees from all ages.

I can now officially suggest that greenerMIAMI readers go see this movie. Part documentary, part presentation, Al Gore breaks down lots of scientific data into bite-sized, easy to understand pieces. He also goes into all of the misconceptions and shows data that proves them wrong.

After you see the movie (check theaters & times here), come back and let’s have a discussion about it. Some of the thoughts on my mind last night after seeing the movie: Why is this a political issue? What is it about California that makes them so ahead of the game? How can we make a difference at a local, grassroots level? Plus, special props to the people that notice the tiny clip with Miami in it!

After the pre-screening, a small panel was available to take questions from the audience. Included in this panel were the Earthman, Barry Heimlich – Director of Broward Audubon Society, Erik Ofengand from the local Greenpeace chapter, congressional candidate Michael Calderin FL-25 (D), and Sara (?) – a marine biologist at UM.

Q: How can we use the political system to change this problem?

A: (People in the theater yelling, "Vote!") Calderin – working to fix the problem creates jobs and wealth. Heimlich – Seattle made a commitment to Kyoto and has achieve 60% of their goal in 2 years, when the original deadline was set for 2012. Some cities in Dade & Broward have signed onto Kyoto. His goal is to get every city in Broward on board. Grassroots programs can work. Start with yourself, lower energy usage at home; when it is time to buy a new car, buy one with better mileage.

Q: I’m a teacher in Miami Norland Senior High School, can we get a copy of this to show in the schools?

A: Right now the release is just in the theaters. Group sales are available. After the film finishes the theater circuit, other opportunities will be available.

Q: I’d like everyone on the panel to answer these questions…Do you own a bike? How old is your car? When was the last time you’ve used public transportation? Do you have the ability to recycle in your condo? These are all problems here in Miami Beach.

A: (summary) Some complaints about the bus system. The scientist convinced her condo to begin recycling. Calderin uses Metrorail sometimes to travel between downtown and Kendall.

Q: Tell businesses to raise the thermostat…it’s too cold in theaters, schools, hospitals. People should bring it up when in a public space.

A: Calderin – We need to focus on more efficient, smaller systems.

Comment: Shops here on Lincoln Road have their doors wide open and the A/C comes right out onto the street.

Comment: Targeting the kids in our schools is too late. You need to get all of the congressional staff on the hill to see this movie.

Q: Where is the local Greenpeace office?

A: We don’t have an office right now. I’m collecting names & contact information for more information.

Q: Is this being released in Red & Blue states? I feel like we are preaching to the choir.

A: Being released in various theaters across the country, red & blue. We need to continue the chain. One person at a time. Consider installing solar/wind power in your home.

Q: What are you doing at UM to reach out to other programs within the school such as architecture?

A: I spend my time talking to developers, trying to convince them not to cut down mangroves, etc.

What, you’re still reading? Go see the movie!

Citizens for a Better South Florida still has some tickets available to an invitation only pre-screening on Thursday, June 8 at 7:30 pm in South Beach. An informal panel discussion will follow the movie. Send an email to info [at] abettersouthflorida [dot] org with your full name and contact information, or call Alex at (305) 648-0000. Tickets are available on a first come, first served basis. More details.

Already released in some cities around the US, a friend of mine from Boston has this to say about the movie:

It was amazing. I wouldn’t recommend it for anyone looking to be "entertained". It’s a movie that makes you think – long after you’ve left the theater. I can’t believe a reporter asked George Bush if he was going to see it and he said "No". If everyone in America saw this movie, there might be a bigger push towards alternative energies and less reliance on oil. So, I am trying to tell everyone I know to see it.

It shouldn’t matter on what side of the political arena you sit. This is a world topic, not a political one.

According to the movie website, several theaters in the Miami area will show this movie beginning on Friday, June 9. I am in the process of confirming this information. In the meantime, I also found this information regarding a South Beach screening and panel on June 8, and later published as June 18 (so there is definitely an error). I will publish more information as it comes along.

Watch the Trailer: An Inconvenient Truth

But as usual, there are lots of great entries, so feel free to check them all out.