Power of Us; Power of Art – Meaningful Movies First Youth Led Event
by Anne Miller June 29, 2021 0
Many youth wonder whether or not they will inherit a world with clean air to breathe, clean water to drink, food that is safe to eat and wilderness left to explore. At a time when all these things are threatened by pollution and climate change, how do we support a healthy planet in the years to come? On June 24th, at Meaningful Movies first youth led event, panelists and audience members delved into these questions. Audience members watched the film Power of Us on OVEE which was then followed by a recognition of the Power of Art Competition winners, Stella Dull, Margalo Tanouye, and Agnes Dull; and a panel discussion on Zoom. Panelists included Sunrise Movement Seattle youth representative, Hannah Lindell-Smith; Meaningful Movies Intern, Natalie Johnson who moderated the event; Sai Amitha Konanki who is a rising sophomore in high school; and Emma Johnson who is a rising senior in high school. All of the panelists spoke honestly and powerfully about both their concerns about the state of our environment but also about ways to take personal and collective action. Natalie, Emma, Amitha, and rising sophomore Stella Palaveeva were the primary organizers of this event.
Audience members said afterwards that how impressed they were by the event and that they were incredibly appreciative of the work of these young adults to bring attention to our climate crisis. One audience member said in an email that she was especially impressed by all of the links and related content that were included in the OVEE chat and which were researched and included by our MMP intern, Natalie Johnson. We agree so we are providing those links here for all of you:
- Already, more than 90% of the children on our planet are inhaling polluted air. Check out this article by the World Health Organization here: https://www.who.int/news/item/29-10-2018-more-than-90-of-the-worlds-children-breathe-toxic-air-every-day
- Learn more about alternative energy solutions here: https://cleanenergysolutions.org
- For a more in-depth look at the causes and effects of climate change, visit this article by NASA: https://climate.nasa.gov/effects/
- If you’re interested in seeing changes in weather patterns, or even influencing them, you can use these simulators and games! Or, of course you can keep your eyes open for current changes in the real world, and do your best not to contribute to the problems. https://scied.ucar.edu/games-sims-weather-climate-atmosphere
- Learn about how climate change introduces invasive species here: https://www.iucn.org/resources/issues-briefs/invasive-alien-species-and-climate-change
- Learn more about the destruction of homes in Paradise with this podcast: https://www.npr.org/2019/11/09/777801169/the-camp-fire-destroyed-11-000-homes-a-year-later-only-11-have-been-rebuilt
- Learn more about the water crises in Africa here: https://unfccc.int/news/climate-change-is-an-increasing-threat-to-africa
- Learn more about Shreya Ramachandran’s graywater recycling system here: https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/2019-3-may-june/act/for-teen-graywater-new-recycling
- Check out Ten Ways to Get Involved with the People’s Climate Movement: https://www.climaterealityproject.org/blog/ten-ways-get-involved-people-climate-movement
- Learn about natural gas: https://www.ucsusa.org/resources/environmental-impacts-natural-gas
- Learn about veganism, ‘the “single biggest way” to reduce our environmental impact’: https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/veganism-environmental-impact-planet-reduced-plant-based-diet-humans-study-a8378631.html
- Learn about fast-fashion and the environment here: https://gasp-pgh.org/2020/07/28/clothes-climate-change-how-a-fashion-choice-change-could-lead-to-better-air-quality/
- Learn more about The Power of Us here.: https://www.pbs.org/wnet/peril-and-promise/films/the-power-of-us/
Power of Us Art Competition Winners
We want to thank all of the youth who submitted art for this competition. This competition was open to students age 9 to 19 but we are grateful to every person, young or old, who is bringing awareness to our climate crisis.
First Prize
– Stella Dull, Age 15
“Hi there! This is my submission for the Power of Us Art Competition. Titled, “Animal Party,” my illustration uses the symbolism of the polar bear and climate change and well as the vibrant coloring to show my fantastical idea of what a better future in climate means to me. To have fun, enjoy nature, and dance!”
Honor Award
Margalo Tanouye, Age
“I made this painting to show what the world could be in the next generations. Our planet could be passed to the next generation as a safe, beautiful, and clean planet, or it could go as far as being inhabitable. why I chose that style of painting was so that you can envision a dark, dirty planet taking over and dripping into our green planet. I think people don’t realize the true disastrous effects of climate change, so I hope that I can help by using art as a way to spark change.”
Honor Award
Agnes D, Age 10
“Hello, my name is Agnes Dull and this is my drawing that I made for the Power of Us art competition. I drew the different effects and impacts of climate change. Icebergs and glaciers melting, factories emitting more carbon dioxide into the air, the Earth getting hotter, and plants dying.”
POWER OF US FILM DESCRIPTION: 82-year-old retired Chicagoland engineer Jim Goodman and his wife Annie are alarmed about the ever more severe climate change crisis, and know their generation has failed to adequately address it. With the environmental clock ticking, the Goodmans enlist the aid of some equally concerned young people to unleash their creativity and usher in a new generation of climate change problem-solvers. Hear from young people who have been directly impacted by the effects of climate change, like Sean Newsom who survived the 2018 wildfires in Paradise, California, and those that are working to make a difference, like Shreya Ramachandran, the high school senior who invented an innovative solution for reusing greywater to address water scarcity. With commentary from experts like Susan Casey-Lefkowitz of the National Resources Defense Council and astronaut and physicist John Grunsfeld, The Power of Us underscores the urgency of the climate crisis and shows the power of an intergenerational, collaborative movement to fight climate change, with youth leading the charge into the future. This youth-organized event was sponsored by South Seattle Climate Action, Mt Baker Meaningful Movies, West Seattle Meaningful Movies, Beacon Hill Meaningful Movies and Beacon Arts. https://www.pbs.org/wnet/peril-and-promise/films/the-power-of-us/
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