Now that Pluto’s been demoted and we’re one of just 8 planets in the Solar System, today’s celebration should be bigger and badder than ever. We’d like to do our part by sharing the most exciting, innovative, and downright cool environmental media we could find. We’re spotlighting 10 of our favorite green media projects from video games to fine arts.

This is just a taste of the content you’ll find in the Meaningful Mediapedia (coming soon). This comprehensive online resource will allow you to explore thousands of creative projects, artists, and organizations dedicated to the issues you care about most. Stay tuned...


Oceans - film
DisneyNature first tackled the Earth and now it’s taking on the Oceans, with the Earth Day release of their epic new film, Oceans. With Pierce Brosnan narrating, this adventure into the briny deep is likely to feature more than a few James Bond-esque encounters with giant sea creatures. Participant Media and Planet Illogica have joined the team to produce a national college tour and art installations around the central message of the film, “We Can Save Our Oceans.”


Planet Green - television
Planet Green will kick off Earth Week with a jam packed line-up of green-themed television. The schedule includes some past favorites like the episode of 30 Days (Monday 9/8c) that shows what happens when a typical, high-consumption American spends 30 days living ‘off the grid’ at an eco-village in Missouri. On Tuesday, Planet Green kicks off a new series called Future Food. Watch as moleculargastronomists change the way we look at food. Wednesday and Thursday will round out the week with the third season premiere of Wa$ted and a Planet Earth marathon. Cozy up in your hemp PJ’s and enjoy! Local play times.


Water, Our Thirsty World - art
In partnership with National Geographic’s fabulous Our Thirsty World April issue, LA’s Annenberg Space for Photography has put on a sister exhibit featuring six award-winning photographers whose work explores our most precious resource—water. The exhibit runs until June 13. It’s a great way to spend an afternoon in the desert.


Road Show - design
If you can’t get the people to the revolution, bring the revolution to the people. That seems to be the motto of the Design Revolution Road Show, a traveling exhibition and lecture series sponsored by Project H Design Group. The Roadshow will visit 35 schools across roughly 20 cities nationwide, highlighting humanitarian design innovations in areas including environment and sustainability. Follow the adventures of the pink trailer. Road trip!


EcoDesign - literature
Now in its third edition, EcoDesign (by Alastair Fuad-Luke) continues to be the definitive guide and veritable holy handbook of eco-friendly products. Dividing items into three handy categories (Objects for Living, Objects for Working, and Materials), Fuad-Luke indexes and records the world’s most innovative energy-efficient, renewable, and recyclable products. This book is a must-have for any product designer or eco-conscious consumer.

Music for Action - music
What do musicians Pearl Jam, Wilco, Dave Mathews Band, and DeathCab For Cutie have in common? Besides rocking pretty hard, they are all part of Music for Action. This initiative teams up with top acts in the music industry to offer music lovers a free downloadable compilation. In exchange, fans are urged to send letters promoting climate change legislation to their local senators, newspapers, and the president.

GreenMap.org - new media
Where’s that great Saturday farmer’s market? What are the cross streets of the new community rooftop garden? Where’s the closest store that sells organic cotton socks?! Never be lost again with GreenMap.org. Hundreds of interactive maps help you locate green businesses and resources in your city. And thanks to their new mobile website and iPhone app, you can access your green map on the go! Now how’s that for sustainable?

Earth Day in L.A. - performance
At the 3rd Annual Wilshire Center Earth Day/Car Free Day Celebration artists and activists are breaking down borders to acknowledge that collectively we can make a difference. Performers include Naked Rhythm--who's mission is to bring the world together with cross-cultural music and dance--The Quetzal Guerrero Band, VoKab Kompany, and dance troupes from Korea, El Salvador and Bangladesh. Put on your vegan shoes and boogie on down to the Wilshire Center!

Global Conflicts - video game
This award-winning game series teaches students about important global and environmental issues through interactive, reality-based gaming experiences. One popular game, Globais-America Latina, the latest in the Global Conflict series, puts players in the shoes of a freelance journalist covering environmental problems in the region. In one scenario, players interact with a morally questionable businessman who prioritizes profit before workers' rights and the environment. We wish this kind of game had been available when we were in school!

Our Ocean World - radio
Our Ocean World, an educational program hosted by Marilyn Cooley on WCSU, brings listeners the sounds of the sea – from harbor seals adjusting their calls to birds hovering over fishing boats. Cooley’s dynamic narration provides an educational backdrop to this marine soundscape. Co-sponsored by the Joint Ocean Commission Initiative, the show presents solutions to shared problems and suggestions on how listeners can help preserve our most vital natural resource. Kill that road rage on your commute with this relaxing and fun program!

Contributions from Laura Ridlehoover, Frankie K. Foster, Amber Weiss, Michael Bourne, and Marisa Murgatroyd.

Meaningful Book Review: My Footprint

Sparks Rating*
Author: Jeff Garlin
Social issue themes: Green Living, Consumerism, Health, Nutrition

Jeff Garlin is not what you would consider a serious man – he spends his days cracking jokes and taking aim at everything and everyone as a stand-up comedian and principle actor on the highly successful HBO comedy, Curb Your Enthusiasm. And so it may seem surprising that he has written a book about two ‘serious’ topics – losing weight and reducing his ecological footprint. Yet it is precisely this levity and humor, combined with genuine enthusiasm, that makes My Footprint such a success. Garlin's battle with weight loss and associated health problems were the catalyst for his complete lifestyle makeover. He decided that writing a book would hold him to his personal promises, and would also inspire others by showing that anyone - even fat, pampered celebrities - can make a change. More

Written by Laura Ridlehoover

* The Sparks System is based on the project's quality and ability to effectively address social issues. If you are interested in becoming a Meaningful Movie Reviewer, email connect@meaningfulmedia.org.

Meaningful Member of the Month:
Good Eye Video

Good Eye Video is a film company founded by Dan Lane to tell the stories of non-profits, educators and communities through video. From a project as small as building a classroom to a cause as big as curing cancer, Good Eye Video spotlights the incredible work that is being carried out by non-profits across the globe. Their aim is to help communicate with stakeholders through high-quality, creatively produced content. More

Dare to Share: Rock for Equality Video Goes Viral

What Kind Of Planet Are We On, the viral video produced for Rock For Equality, has been awarded "Best Innovation In Video" by YouTube's 4th Annual Dogooder Nonprofit Video Awards. Rock for Equality is a national initiative that demands equal Social Security benefits for America’s same-sex couples. The video was designed to raise awareness of social security discrimination, which has gone virtually unnoticed by the public. The video has drawn close to half a million views on YouTube, with 300,000 views generated just last week. Produced by Jamie Bullock, the project was directed by the amazing and innovative Varda Hardy through LiveTribe Productions.

Contributed by Jamie Bullock, Producer of award winning commercials, music videos, and films and a Meaningful Media Leadership Corps member.

Meaningful Opportunities

We recently launch a Leadership Corps program designed for inspired professionals who want to use their skills to make a difference while gaining valuable experience in social issue media. The Leadership Corps is an opportunity for like-minded professionals to join the Meaningful Media team. All Corps members who complete the program will receive a mention on our website and a lifelong membership to Meaningful Media. Click here for more information on how to apply and the types of opportunities available.

A special thanks to our newest Leadership Corps member: Michael Bourne.

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