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| Issue 26 : 10 December 2008 | ||
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Hello %$firstname$% What a fabulous time to be alive! I’m writing to thank you all for your love, support, and action during 2008, and to share how excited and hopeful I am for 2009. That’s right – hopeful. I watched Apollo 13 again last night, starring Tom Hanks. Let’s all remember Gene Kranz’ immortal line: “Failure is not an option.” Humankind is voting – with our feet (prints!) and our wallets – slowly but surely, to embrace the post-fossil era with creativity, clarity and courage. Think of all the small steps forward you’ve achieved, in your habits, this year. Think of all those around you that stirred, and the effect of those ripples as they reinforce, and are reflected back, and new cultural norms become established. Take stock of the big, bright breakthroughs too: Barack Obama, the UK Climate Bill, the global Climate March, the Poznan talks, activists being cleared of all charges by high courts... the list is long. This is the Berlin Wall of climate crisis denial crumbling before us. Awesome! A new era has dawned... (on us!) 2008 was the end of the beginning.In this issue:
STOP PRESS! The UN has been called upon by barrister Polly Higgins to make a Declaration of Planetary Rights. The Trees Have Rights Too campaign is launched today – on the 60th anniversary of the UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Self conscious – or carbon conscious? Not long ago people like me worried about what their friends might think if they went on actions like Climate Camp. Next year we’ll be worried about what they’ll think if we’re not there! Soon we’ll have to go – because all our friends will be there! The biggest risk, at this point in history, is to forget the second bit of Gandhi’s advice: “Whatever you do will be insignificant, but it is very important that you do it.”Mahatma Gandhi
Have you seen the new official trailer yet? Watch it here: Tell all your friends about the film – the planned UK cinema release date is 1 March 2009. It’s going to be huge! Oscar-nominated Pete Postlethwaite stars as a man living alone in the devastated world of 2055, looking back at archive footage from 2008, asking: "Why didn't we stop climate change when we had the chance?" The Age of Stupid has distribution plans for 250 million viewers before the Copenhagen Climate Summit this time next year. It’s been described as "the best communication tool since An Inconvenient Truth."
I wanted to share with you a couple of gifts I’ve bought for loved ones this year. I think you’ll love them too! Embercombe: notes for the journey
This album is a collection of songs to touch your heart, stimulate your mind and keep you inspired on your journey of committed action for a truly sustainable world. A soundtrack for changing the world. Enjoy. Have you got the bottle?
I’ve treated myself to this SIGG aluminium water bottle and I simply adore using it. It fits in my coat pocket. It never leaks. And for some reason it makes tap water taste like heaven! The payback period is rapid – every time you use it instead of buying a plastic water bottle you’re £1 up. And, if you purchase an Age of Stupid branded bottle from the Not Stupid online shop (which is currently offering a 10% Christmas discount) you'll be helping to promote and support the film as well! Water winner!
Don’t miss this offer of a FREE tree
It takes a minute and costs you nothing. The tree is for life (not just for Christmas!). Do it now! (You’ll also get 200 free Green Rewards points, whether you use them or not.)
Mission possible: winter sun Imagine there’s no airplanes. Limit your flying next year, significantly, willingly and inspirationally. ‘Local’ will be the new global boast in 2009. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that long-distance flights to far-flung conference destinations are going to impress anyone any more, not in 2009. Not even climate conferences! Imagine a world where you simply don’t want – or need – to fly anywhere much, if at all. Imagine working, living and loving more locally. Imagine getting to know all your neighbours better, your back yard better! As you take time out with friends and family over the winter break – and think about this crazy adventure we call life – see if you can give ‘winter sun’ a new meaning: the joy in your heart when your solar panel gives you free hot water on a freezing cold, bright day. Until next year Dave Hampton
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Act before the end of January and Trees for Cities will plant a FREE sapling on your behalf as part of the ‘Million Trees for London’ campaign. Simply register at the Green Rewards website below, quoting reference TFC08, and a tree will be planted on your behalf.