Renewable Energy Solution of the Month: Efficiency

Run time: 13:33 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6J-ijPcv1VM   Posted on YouTube: July 25, 2011 By YouTube Member: greenman3610 Views on YouTube: 997   Posted on DU: July 26, 2011 By DU Member: greenman3610 Views on DU: 817

 
there is so much to say on this, I will have to do at least two vids -- here is the first

I think the creators of this video should be a little more careful with their historical facts though. Here are three major criticisms and I invite comment from others

1. In reference to the hippie generation - the movie implies that they were focused on ending the war and as 'flower children' (although that term was not used in the movie) but it was implied that they were mere pot smokers and once the Vietnam War ended they went back to smoking pot. Although not a peace activist at that time, I was a part of that generation and I can tell you that environmental (i.e., global warming) and anti-nuclear was part of their platform. I can remember that this idealism was tapped by Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson who with another visionary (possibly Lovins) started the celebrations of Earth Day - first one was 1970....my point is I object to the discrediting of the hippie/peace movement as not being environmentally focused as suggested in this movie.

2. Another point that the movie glosses over is the systemic forces in place in our economy - perhaps the beginning was the Carter vs. Reagan election: Reagan ran on the 'feel good' generation; don't worry about energy shortages; future planning; resource limitations - i.e., 'Let the market take care of everything' - i.e., capitalism which has been the narrative of Republicans as well as Democrats since.....Although Republican dirty tricks/October Surprise is now the story du jour - Reagan's emphasis on growing and consumerism (vice conservation which was Carter) was certainly a major Reagan campaign narrative and conspicuous consumerism characterized his administration ......it was the beginning of Reaganomics = discreditation of the environmental movement which started to be embedded in the Republican framing of platforms and is unfortunately now picked up by corporate Democrats. I don't think the movie is strong enough in that respect.

3. Going along with this - the movie seems to imply that big business / corporations will be the answer - (General Electric, Ford, etc. figure prominently in the solutions illustrated herein). This is just another iteration of Reaganomics framing although more subtle....An alternative to these solutions to this MOST daunting problem (I mean now toxic chemicals are being release from melting polar ice caps, heat waves in the Northeast and all across the US) should also be mentioned. These are growing local economies through investments in local (vice global) businesses and community supported agriculture. The video did not mention that but should and hopefully this would appear in part 2.