Pitch
Nature provides the energy, we provide the technology; together we can power the world.
Description
Summary
Our climate has evolved over millions of years; Mother Nature has an awful lot of experience in looking after our world. Today the climate suits the requirements of the human race, but for how long?
Nature wastes nothing; and everything we have, or want, she gives.
Humans waste everything; and anything we want we take.
How very different we are.
Nature works on a different time scale to the human race, and if our climate is changing, then whatever is causing it has already happened. To slow, and ultimately reverse the cause, we need the population of the world to get involved.
Only by working with Nature will we be able to maintain a climate suitable for us, and future generations where we can enjoy the luxuries modern society has to offer.
Nature provides an abundance of natural energy; we have a wide variety of technology, together they can reduce the level of greenhouse gasses and provide a sustainable source of affordable power production.
The sky is falling! Between Global Warming, melting ice caps, holes in the Ozone layer, world oil shortages, power grid security and an aging power production system, the public are continually bombarded with the doom and gloom of the future.
The general public are not divided on the severity of climate change; almost every corner of the world has been subjected to extreme weather over the past few years. Although there is a growing concern on the effects of climate change, what can the public do about it?
We live in an era of personal transportation, computers and a constant consumption of electricity and fossil fuels; born from past legislation, agreements, and treaties. We like our cars, electronic equipment and holidays in exotic places. We work hard to afford life’s luxuries, and we the people will not give them up, not without a fight.
Every time the public are force into something, they will resist or become apathetic.
Category of the action
Changing public perceptions on climate change
What actions do you propose?
The options for the public to do something about climate change are, so far, limited to either planting trees, improve home insulation, or install a renewable energy system.
But renewable energy will not solve the problem of global climate change, or global warming, simply because there are more causes that create the effect of temperature change.
CO2 production is cited as one of the main concerns, yet the production of CO2 is a natural occurrence, it is not as though we can stop production. Even renewable energy systems have a carbon footprint.
Every item including renewable energy systems have an embodied energy. We are all responsible for the embodied energy of the products we use. Example: if half the world produces renewable energy systems and the other half use these systems, the embodied energy is shared equally across both halves of the world.
There are far too many unanswered questions about the current measures being implemented, too little accurate, consistent and relevant data available, as well as clarity on the available options for the individual other than increasing expenditures.
Carbon capture: At this stage, the unknown effects on the Earth’s Oxygen cycle due to the proposed carbon capture idea raises a pertinent question; are we creating another problem with this proposed solution?
Carbon Sinks: nature provides two proven main methods of removing CO2 from the atmosphere; the oceans and trees. Will increasing forestry help?
Solar radiation: the main source of heat the earth has, but solid surfaces, such as buildings and roads increase the absorption of heat. Yet we continue to build in conventional ways.
Generated heat: with the increase of homes, factories, power generation and transportation an immense amount of artificial heat is generated, but unlike the sun that sets every evening, we generate heat 24 hours a day, most wasted and expelled into the atmosphere.
Ozone layer: although the ban on certain products may have slowed the development of holes, it has not stopped. Does a 3,000ºC flame from each rocket launch punch a hole through the Ozone layer?
One choice that is viable to the public and common place in many areas is recycling. But what happens to the products we recycle?
If everyone reduced their electricity consumed by 1 watt, the savings would be enormous. Most people think this is impossible, but in today’s world, everything is instantly accessible over the internet. Changing electronic products with ‘stand-by’ mode to automatic ‘off’ if not used for a period could save at least 1Kw a day per household. That is a 1000 times greater than just 1 watt. Even the impossible can be possible.
There are two things required in business to make a profitable and sustainable company; a return on investment (ROI) and good communications.
Personal investment in some form of renewable energy system or low carbon system for the home or community is like investing in a pension plan; the return is a projection, based on 7 to 10 years before it pays for itself, and there are no guarantees, and no readily available data of existing similar systems.
I did say ‘readily available data’; there may be data out there, but with the lack of good communications, only the diehards that are willing to spend a lot of time and effort researching, will find anything, but the authenticity on the data is still in question.
Just as the climate changes, so does our culture. We are spending more of our time in front of a computer or a television screen. (The average adult spends more than 150 hours each month watching television. Today, the average U.S. home has more TV sets than people). These two most popular technologies unite the world. It is time to use them to unite them in the common good of our planet.
If we want to inspire action, then we need to give the public two things:
A voice and a choice
It is time to put some reality into reality TV and utilise social networking across the internet.
With the aid of the media we can combine nature, technology, new innovations and a global community to make this a reality.
Action:
- Produce an interactive family reality TV production,
- Educational: a panel consisting of celebrities, politicians and scientists,
- A live audience, where by the people pose their questions.
- Investigative reporting on technologies, new and old
- Utilise science and technology to provide simulations and explanations
- Produce an entertaining production with art, music and comedy
- Include internet and social media sites
- Develop a variety of directories to be utilized by the viewers.
- Short video clips of communities progress, full viewing on internet/media site
- Utilise texts, tweets and telephone communications for full interactivity
Then let us listen to the responses, analyse and act on them, just maybe, we will all learn. We created this global problem, and it is a global problem; with no exclusions. We cannot afford to continue making mistakes, just to be seen to be green.
Above all, the production needs to be light hearted, a family hour, yet provide the information that people can use in their day to day life. It needs to cover all aspects of the environment, not just power generation, or CO2 emissions.
Between airings a conference could be held in multiple locations where local issues are discussed and the community can be involved in some environmental project. A place where they can ask questions, get advice and understand what can be done individually and as a community. These can be recorded for download.
Throughout clips of previously recorded topics regarding what individuals have done to save energy and emissions, new technologies available, local tradesmen who install renewable energies, the local environment and climate, to mention but a few would be televised. Each of the previously recorded clips should be available for download from the internet or social media site.
Further growth would include acquiring licenses for other territories and create interactions across the world, creating a global social network based on our planet.
Uniting the people of the world in voice, and given a choice, we can begin to change. After all humans are an ingenious race, inventions and ideas come from all walks of life, provide enough information, set a forum, and the minds of men and women will provide the answers.
The power of TV has saved lives, changed attitudes, and influenced public opinion; what better way to inspire? It can provide audiences with ideas that can make a positive difference in the overall scheme of things, if used correctly.
The power of communications have been demonstrated by groups of individuals bursting into song and dance in public places, only to go about their day to day lives once the song has ended.
According to a study from the University of Southern California's medical school, ER influenced viewers into eating healthier and exercising after an episode on teen diabetes.
Melrose Place turned prime time into an art gallery by dressing the show with avant-garde works of art organized by conceptual artist Mel Chin, "Everyone criticizes television, but nobody tries to intervene to give it the meaning it lacks." Los Angeles Times: 1997
America's Most Wanted has helped capture more than 1,100 fugitives since its debut in 1988.
The musical TV show Glee, by showcasing their songs on ITunes went on to selling more than 11 million albums, which boosted the record industry.
2007 reality show called De Grote Donorshow featured three patients in need of a kidney, who competed for the organs of a terminally ill woman; the show was a hoax to draw attention to the Netherlands' shortage of organ donors. Following the show approximately 43,000 viewers requested forms to become organ donors.
A Russian soap saved Yeltsin’s Presidency by airing their finale on the morning of the election which kept his voters in the city to vote after the show.
“This instrument can teach, it can illuminate; yes, and it can even inspire. But it can do so only to the extent that humans are determined to use it to those ends. Otherwise, it is nothing but wires and lights in a box.” — Edward R. Murrow
After decades of environmental doom and gloom, the ever increasing cost of World leader discussions and the continual rise of CO2 production, the Kyoto protocol have managed to shift whole industries, complete with their CO2 production from the West to East. As a result, the growing commercial shipping industry, currently unregulated and excluded from the Kyoto protocol was estimated to have produced 1,040,000 thousand tonnes of CO2 in 2011.
Serious information; unfortunately like serious documentaries, although informative seldom stimulate an already exhausted public.
It is time to raise the bar, lift public awareness to a more modern level by involving them, entertaining them as well as informing them.
We (the public) like to learn, we like to laugh, and we like our luxuries. We do not like losing our jobs, or our financial security. We want a healthy life, to enjoy what this world has to offer; we want a nice home and smaller energy bills; but if we are to be blamed for the state of the environment give us a choice, not legislation; solutions, not broken Protocols.
Who will take these actions?
This will probably be a privately funded venture with sponsorships.
Pre-production
The proposal would be offered to a producer, preferably one who has connections with a production company to assist in the creation. There are a number of producers that have openly expressed interest in the care of the environment, but the main criteria would be for freedom of information and the ability to clearly identify and show what works, what does not work and what can be done to change our lifestyle.
Contracting out to researchers for archive materials and utilizing community environmental reporting that are local to areas will save on travel and costs but offer several reporting formats and views.
Included in the pre-production team will be a Director to format and structure a show from the research and reports. This should be sufficient to provide a well-structured show format which can be used to seek further financing and development to the production stage.
Alongside the development of the show, an interactive website, and associated social media site should be developed. This will raise awareness of the impending show, when it will be aired and where. It can provide additional research material, acknowledge the members of the panel and sale of tickets to attend the live show and Q&A.
On the website a local, national and international data base can be developed to provide information on products and services. This area can also allow sponsors to advertise and hold their own open forums.
Where will these actions be taken?
This assumes, both knowledge of the prime directive and the target audience.
The initial location for a live show should be suitable for the selected panel that would represent, present and debate the issues. On this basis locations such as New York or Los Angeles would be appropriate.
It should be acknowledged that several area/communities will be involved in the initial research and production/filming phase. These locations could be local or worldwide, depending on the pre-production format, production team and research data. But as previously stated utilizing local reporters and researchers saves on costs and allows for a wider area of coverage.
How much will emissions be reduced or sequestered vs. business as usual levels?
What are other key benefits?
Raise public awareness of products and services available.
Raise awareness of the pros and cons of such products and services.
Provide marketing information to suppliers and manufactures of the public’s preferences, desires and requirements including demographics.
Encourage development of new products and services that are suitable and beneficial to us and the environment.
Unite community organisations, educate and open positive forms of communication
Create interaction between all members of the public and businesses
The possibility of future shows to track progress and innovations
Create interactivity between all members of the public and business
The possibility of future shows to track progress and innovations
What are the proposal’s costs?
The following is a basic proposal for pre-production and production costs.
This does not take into account any possible revenue streams from advertisements or sponsors.
The following does not include website development and running costs that could amount to approximately 30,000 per year.
Above the line Budget
Pre-production and Development 5,000
Production and initial costs 35,000
Subtotal (a) 40,000
Below the line
Rights, Music & Talent 10,000
Crew & personnel 126,000
Production Expenses 35,000
Travel & related Expenses 10,000
Post Production 35,000
Insurance & Licensing (Not Music) 25,000
Office & Administration costs 25,000
Other non-specified items 10,000
Subtotal (b) 276,000
Subtotal (a) + (b) 316,000
Contingency 15% 47,400
Fiscal Sponsor Fee 10% 31,600
Grand total 395,000
Time line
Research: 12 weeks
Prep: 14 weeks
Shoot: 10 weeks
Wrap: 8 weeks
Post: 8 weeks
TOTAL: 52 weeks
Related proposals
References
Human-made waste heat warms climate by Erin Wayman – Science News Jan 25th 2013
Digest of United Kingdom Energy Statistics (DUKES) https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-of-energy-climate-change/series/digest-of-uk-energy-statistics-dukes
US Energy Information Administration http://www.eia.gov/
Pulitzer centre on crisis reporting http://Pulitzer.org
New York State Council on the Arts, http://www.nysca.org
Reflections on science communication from imperial college London http://refractiveindex.wordpress.com
Cyber college internet campus TV production http://www.cybercollege.com
Making a science documentary on a shoestring August 22, 2012 by Flora Malein
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