Film fest encourages eco-friendly lifestyles

SShort films, documentaries, panel discussions and film workshops were featured at the UW last weekend as part of the ninth annual Hazel Wolf Environmental Film Festival.

Climate change and energy were central themes at the festival, while other environmental issues, including mining and the effect of global warming on health and agriculture, were also addressed.

One documentary, Greenpeace: Making A Stand, focused on the work of the Greenpeace organization and detailed the growth of the environmentalist movement from the early 1970s to present day. The film showed a number of people willing to risk their lives in order to raise awareness of environmental issues and effect political change.

Leigh Badgley, producer and director of the documentary, stated there is a definite need to take action on issues of climate change.

"As they stand, environmental issues are very, very scary, but it is important to note that this is not yet a hopeless situation," she said. "I believe that the world wants to help us help it. For sure there will be dier consequences if we don't effect change, but as yet, it is not too late to get involved and make the changes necessary."

Badgley hopes her documentary may encourage people to take action on environmental issues.

"In 'Greenpeace: Making A Stand' I wanted to inspire audiences, not scare them," she said. "Over the course of the documentary we went looking for miracles and incredibly we found them. Lives were saved in the making of this film and I hope that this will motivate people to take some form of action."

A number of ways in which people can take action against climate change were mentioned in a panel discussion on Saturday evening.

Although only a small percentage of the American population would consider themselves "environmentalists," everybody can find a niche in the environment in which to make a difference, the panelists said.

By buying less and buying more environmentally-friendly items, people can become more suitable consumers, said panelist Sean Schmidt, co-founder of the Sustainable Style Foundation.

"It is becoming easier and easier to make more sustainable lifestyle choices through fashion," he said. "For instance, Giorgio Armani has started making a hemp clothing line and other brands, such as Nike, are also making more positive environmental decisions."

As an example, Schmidt pointed to celebrity Cameron Diaz, who buys her clothes second hand.

"This is a great example of sustainable consumerism," he said.

Festival co-chair David Atcheson was very pleased with how the outcome of the festival.

"I think all of the organizers, myself included, have been very happy with the turnout this weekend," he said. "I also think that the films have been very well received. I even overheard one elderly woman saying, 'I'm cancelling my ride, this is too good to miss,' which is great."

The campus location also proved to be a hit with festival organizers and filmmakers alike.

"The festival has certainly been very successful here and it would appear that all signs are pointing to having it here again in the future," Atcheson said.

Reach reporter Jessalin Fraser at news@thedaily.washington.edu