In Conclusion...

Throughout this project, I have learned many things. The most poignant lesson, however, is that the climate issue effects all species. I first realized this when I stood on Bald Head Island and realized that animals could potentially go extinct because of our actions. Because of the simple choices we make each and every day. It is through those same simple choices that we make a difference on the world. How big of a difference we make is up to us. Not everyone will become a "hippie," and fulfill that stereotype. But we can take our resusable bags. And we can recycle. And we can save water. What's more, we can save the earth if we act with it in mind. It's as simple as that. Act with the earth in mind. Before you throw something away, think about where it might end up. Before you answer the question "Paper or Plastic?" at the checkout line, ponder if there might be a better solution. The bottom line, friends, is to do the best we can, when we can, and where we can. If each and every person did that, then the world would be a better place to live. 

Enjoy some never before seen pictures of our journey!

 The View from our Hotel at night.

The group in front of the treasury with some of their finest products...

Mr. Bishop with the California state symbol. Coincidentally, it is also Isaac Bear's Mascot! :) 

In Washington, they don't have "stairs." They have Internal Relocation Sites. 

Jean Michel Cousteau speaking to the summit.  

 This was the view on the way to Washington.

My favorite picture yet. The view on the way home. The light represents bright things on the horizon for our group and our project! 

Thanks for all your support in this process! 

--Evan

Final Thoughts

It’s been over a year now, and the Cape Fear Beach Bears are still working hard to educate the public on Global Climate Change! One of my favorite moments of working on this project was going to Washington, DC last February to present our project to other delegations. It was so amazing to see a group of individuals come together and work on an issue that we are all so passionate about. Another highlight of working on this project was going to Bald Head Island last year (Bald Head trip #1) and learning about the maritime forests. Before going to Bald Head Island, I was not aware of the importance of these forests. Learning that there could be species that live in the maritime forest that have never even been discovered before fascinated me the most (especially since these species could go extinct and the world would never know).

What I really want other people to know is that global climate change is real. It is happening. BUT, there are easy ways that we all can help effect, positively effect, that is, the environment. Small, simple actions, such as turning of the lights when you leave the room, taking shorter showers, and buying locally are all ways that each person can help make an impact! So, why not? Also, I want people to know that it is our duty to help the environment, because this is our home, our friends home, and the home to future generations.

As for the future of this project, I hope that the movie circulates around Wilmington, into schools, so that the youth can learn about this issue and start working on it early on. I also hope that the movie is shown to all ages, because everyone can learn from it and understand where they fit in the process of improving the environment!

Jessica

Smithsonian Ocean Portal

In case you haven't watched our film in all of its many forms, you can now visit us on the Smithsonian Ocean Portal. They have graciously hosted us here. Check us out.

This holiday consider giving gift cards to local businesses. Who doesn't need a hair cut or an oil change? This will help support your local economy while cutting down on the number of items we import from across the world. That in turn cuts down on your carbon footprint! Thank you for all of your support this year!

Bald Head Visit #2

I know it has been a while since our last post. The premiere went off without a hitch. It was well received. We had over 200 people attend with another 30 people watching online. It was thrilling for everyone involved.

You can see more pictures from the event here.

This weekend we were invited to the Bald Head Island Conservancy to show our film and lead a discussion with island residents.

It was well received and the students were wonderful as always. Following the showing, the students had a questions answer session and really impressed the audience.

We made it to the beach in time for the sunset

After a late night hike we stayed up to play catch phrase. What a great game. The students were not very thrilled to get up to catch the 7:30 ferry back to the mainland so they took a nap on the way back.

We were lucky enough to have a dolphin join us on our way back.

It was another successful trip. If you still haven't seen our film, please check it out at www.weseachange.weebly.com.
Thanks!
Megan

Premiere Eve

Tomorrow is our big day. I can't believe it's time already!
Yesterday we were featured on the local news. You can watch it here.


Tomorrow, if you can't make the premiere, you'll be able to watch us live on U-Stream. At 6:45 EST sign on and get loaded. The link to use can be found here.

There is a chat feature were you can ask questions during the panel discussion. I can't believe it's finally here. The website is almost finished too. You can find it here tomorrow afternoon!
Thanks for all your support this year.
Megan

Four Days To Go

The Big Premiere of our film will be THIS WEDNESDAY at the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher. The event will take place from 6:30pm-8:30pm. We will have several environmental organizations participating in the festivities including the Cape Fear Museum and Airlie Gardens.

Check out this great article on us in the Lumina News this week. Also look for us on the 5:30 news on WWAY on Monday! I can't believe it's finally time to premiere!

The Ocean Project Update

The Ocean Project just released new market research on the importance of Zoos and Aquariums in educating the public about climate. One of the most important things they mentioned were getting teens involved. This just shows how important our film is. You can read the report here.

In other news, we just found out that Virginia Tippie from Coastal America will be attending the premiere. That is great to have federal support! Three weeks from today! I can't believe the countdown has begun! We'll be ready, there is only a little left to do!

Coastal America Updates

If anyone is interested in what other student delegations are working on, check out the updates here.

Here is a video from Sylvia Earle and the importance of our Coastal Learning Centers

In the home stretch

We have less than a month until our movie premiere at the aquarium. It will be here way before we are ready. We have over 15 organizations that have committed to participating in our movie premiere. I'm very excited. We met yesterday to do some more filming. We are getting to the end of what we need to film and really have mostly editing left. Time to get in gear.

I was sent a great article today on why it is so important to have our youth involved in climate change actions. You can read it here.

I hope you have the premiere on  you calendar. It's Wednesday, September 28 beginning at 6:30 at the aquarium!

Our Action Pledges

Our students met yesterday to work on our action pledge. In order to help everyone have a better understanding of what the students were looking for, we had each of them film their own. Here is what they had to say:
Dustin:

Evan:

Keela:

Keela has even started the ball rolling on her plans for a beach sweep. We will be hosting one in conjunction with the NC Big Sweep the Saturday before our big premiere. We're hoping to tie the sweep in the 350.org's Moving Planet Day. We're going to encourage people to get to the sweep without using fossil fuels! It'll be here before we know it. We'll keep you updated as details emerge.

Stay tuned for more fun!
Megan

Hard at Work at UNCW!!

We are all busy at work on our video, getting ready for the premiere! Today, we're working on a pledge for the video. What is something you'd be willing to pledge to do for the environment?? Let us know, and you might see it in the pledge!! Check out us at work today:

We'll continue to keep you updated as the premiere approaches!! 

Your Friend, 

Evan

10 Ways to Change Your Life

I thought this was an interesting take on how to change your life to lower your carbon footprint

EAT YOUR VEGETABLES

All you have to do is stop eating beef. Worldwide, beef production contributes more to climate change than the ­entire transportation sector. The carbon footprint of the average meat eater is about 1.5 tons of CO2 larger than that of a vegetarian. Cutting beef out of your diet will reduce your CO2 emissions by 2,400 pounds annually.

DRINK FROM THE TAP

You can save money and your environment by giving up bottled water. The production of plastic water bottles together with the privatization of our drinking water is an environmental and social catastrophe. Bottled water costs more per gallon than gasoline. The average American consumes 30 gallons of bottled water annually. Giving up one bottle of imported water means using up one less liter of fossil fuel and emitting 1.2 pounds less of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

OBSERVE AN ECO-SABBATH

For one day or afternoon or even one hour a week, don’t buy anything, don’t use any machines, don’t switch on anything electric, don’t cook, don’t answer your phone, and, in general, don’t use any resources. In other words, for this regular period, give yourself and the planet a break. Every hour per week that you live no impact cuts your carbon emissions by 0.6 percent annually. Commit to four hours per week, that’s 2.4 percent; do it for a whole day each week to cut your impact by 14.4 percent a year.

TITHE A FIXED PERCENTAGE OF YOUR INCOME

Tithe a fixed percentage of your income to non-profits of your choice. If an average U.S. family contributes 1 percent ($502.33) of its annual income ($50,233) to an environmental non-profit, they could offset 40.7 tons of carbon dioxide per year. Many of our public health and welfare services are tied to consumer spending which, in turn, depends upon planetary resources. If you want to help, don’t go shopping. Just help.

BUILD A COMMUNITY

Have dinners with friends. Play charades. Sing together. Enjoying each other costs the planet much less than enjoying its resources.

GET THERE UNDER YOUR OWN STEAM

Get around by bike or by foot a certain number of days a month. Not only does this mean using less fossil fuel and creating less greenhouse gases, it means you’ll get exercise and we’ll all breathe fewer fumes. If you can stay off the road just two days a week, you’ll reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an average of 1,590 pounds per year.

COMMIT TO NOT WASTING

Wasting resources costs the planet and your wallet. Let your clothes hang-dry instead of using the dryer. Take half the trips but stay twice as long. Repair instead of rebuy. The list goes on. In the summer, for every degree above 72°F you set your thermostat, you save 120 pounds of CO2 emissions per year, and if you wash your clothes with cold water you can cut your laundry energy use by up to 90 percent.

TAKE YOUR PRINCIPLES TO WORK

We must act as though we care about the world at work as much as we do at home. Company CEOs or product designers have the power to make a gigantic difference through their business, and so do the rest of us. In commercial buildings, lighting accounts for more than 40 percent of electrical energy use, a huge cause of greenhouse gas production. Using motion and occupancy sensors can cut this use by 10 percent.

DONATE A DAY'S TV TIME TO ECO-SERVICE

Take one day off from TV—the average American watches four and a half hours of TV a day—and try voluntary eco-service instead. Those four and a half hours a day watching TV add up to 825 pounds of carbon dioxide each year.

BELIEVE WITH ALL YOUR HEART THAT HOW YOU LIVE YOUR LIFE MAKES A DIFFERENCE

We are all interconnected. Every step toward living a conscious life provides support to everyone else who is trying to do the same thing—whether you’re aware of it or not. We are the masters of our destinies.

10 Ways to Change Your Life by Colin Beavan — YES! Magazine

---

Colin Beavan adapted this piece for Climate Action, the Winter 2010 issue of YES! Magazine. Colin Beavan is founder of the No Impact Project, noimpactproject.org. His book No Impact Man was published in 2009 by Farrar, Straus, and Giroux.

RePower America

I came across a great site today called RePower America. They are advocates for clean energy in the United States. They have a really neat wall where you can add your voice in support of clean energy. Check out their page here: http://www.repoweramerica.org/wall/

See what everyone has to say and enjoy!
Thanks~ Megan

Excitement is in the Air

Yesterday we got together and started looking at all of our footage.It was very exciting to sit down and actually look at everything we've done so far.

Students watching the videos and writing down their favorite clips

It took about two and a half hours to get through everything but we got things narrowed down. It helped that we had our story boards completed. We wrote an outline on the board and added the clips under the proper categories so we could stay organized. Once we finished the videos we started working on our catch phrases. Jessica and Keela made me so happy when they started talking about how they've been using our catch phrases at home. They were a little nervous about repeating it for the camera but I talked them into it anyway.

Then we spent some time filming our catch phrases. This is one of our favorite ones to help people to remember to turn off the lights when they leave the room:

I can't wait to see this project start to come together. The students are doing such great work! September will be here before we know it! More fun to come!
Thanks! Megan

Checking in

So it's been a while since we've posted. That doesn't mean we haven't been working. The students are busy with school, end of the semester is coming. I've been busy at work. Mr. Bishop is now a new father to baby Brynn. So everyone's been running around. We've been meeting here and there to take care of bits and pieces.

We've been inviting our VIPs to the film premiere. We decided to host the movie Wednesday September 28th from 6:30-8:30 at the aquarium. If you would like more information, please visit our wiki here. You can even RSVP from there. We'd love to have you. We've also been inviting organizations to host informational tables at the premiere. If you are part of an environmental organization and would like to be involved, please email me at capefearstudentsummit[at]gmail[dot]com. I'll send you more information.

We were featured this month on the Ocean Portal website run by the Smithsonian. If you'd like to read about us and other teens who are making a difference, check it out here.

We've also met to discuss the outline of our movie. Today we finally hammered out a great storyline. I'm really proud of the students. We'll be interviewing two more experts in the next couple weeks. We're going to meet with Andy Wood from Audubon NC. He's the education director. You can learn more about him here. I was also approached by Zak Keith from Oceana. He wanted to be involved in our project and has graciously accepted our request to interview him as well. If you would like to know more about Oceana, check out their website here.

There is so much to do before September and we're all only getting busier. I know we'll make things happen and it's very exciting for me when we have such a productive day like today. I'll have one of the students blog about our next two interviews but I wanted to make sure that everyone knew we didn't fall off the face of the earth. Sometimes the behind the scenes work isn't very news worthy. Earth Day is coming up soon. What are you doing to celebrate?

Thanks~ Megan

Student Summit in DC

The student summit in Washington, DC was one of the most amazing experiences I have had yet. It was so inspiring to see a large group of teenagers come together about an issue they are passionate about, and try to make a difference in the world. I couldn't pick what my favorite part about the trip was because it was all so great, but I did enjoy watching every ones presentations. I really liked learning about other environmental issues that I didn't know about before, and then learning about how I and others can help mitigate the effects of these issues. Another part about this experience that I really loved was having the opportunity to talk with Jean Michel Cousteau about our project, and then him giving us feedback and challenging us on how to reach our local government representatives. Also, of course, I loved meeting new people from around the country and even Mexico! It was great to become friends with people who share the same passion as you do. Oh! And I definitely cannot forgot about my friend Charlotte the Kangaroo. Jack Hanna also came to speak with us, which I absolutely loved, because who doesn't love kangaroos, penguins, foxes, and cheetahs? This whole experience has inspired me to really make a difference in the world that will benefit the environment....and it truly was an amazing trip!

~Jessica Lama

Washington DC

Here are some of the photos from our trip to DC.

The view from our Hotel

Bryan and Megan enjoying the seafood buffet at lunch

The group after lunch

Bryan on the waterfront

The waterfront fish market

Very Fresh

The evening's speaker: Jim Toomey, Creator of Sherman's Lagoon Comic Strip

Who knew sharks could chew gum

Jim giving a great talk

  

The students following their presentation, they were wonderful

  

The students showing off their poster during the poster session

Giant Squid! He was originally 14 m long

  

Keela and Jessica in the Megalodon Jaw

Keela and Jessica getting the third degree from Jean Michel Cousteau. They did very well answering his questions.

Sunset at the Washington Monument. This was the view from our rooms

Our Team with Jean Michel Cousteau

Our team with Jim Toomey

For more pictures check out our flickr

DC Reflection

When I first began this expansive project on climate change, I did not think it would have that much impact on my life. I just assumed it would be great to have an all-expense paid trip to DC, and neat to make a video. After it was all said and done, however, I got so much more out of the experience. I learned more, I think, in my week in DC than a normal week in school. Firstly, I discovered that people around the nation and globe are combating climate change on all fronts. Students in Alaska are educating the public about Ocean Acidification while students in California are building a zero-emission car to make a statement to car companies. Similar projects are going on around the nation, because youth care about this issue. That brings me to the second thing I learned—that the youth of today see the issues around them, and they want to be the ones who change it. We as teenagers are just looking for outlets to make a positive action on the world. I think if there were more positive outlets worldwide than negative, teen delinquency would improve greatly. That is why projects such as Coastal America make such an impact, because they reach out to people in all communities, cities, and towns around the nation. Thirdly, I met some great new friends. Meeting people from Alaska, Hawaii, California, Washington, Georgia, Florida, and many other states is a really neat experience. We all had one common goal, and I think we achieved that goal to the best of our abilities. I liked how one fellow delegate put it: “We do not need the help of Congress, but we want the help of Congress. We are already active citizens in our communities, and we will continue our proactive actions with or without your help.” Finally, I saw first-hand many of the mechanisms and functions of Congress. The old saying “It’ll take an act of Congress…” has new meaning to me now, as I met Representatives who are trying to look out for their constituent’s interests while meeting party requirements. Overall, at the end of my trip I was sad to leave my new friends, but I know that everything I took away from this experience will stay with me for a lifetime.

Evan Lucas

Back From DC

The students are going to post about the trip. Then I'll add pictures. If you missed our presentation on Tuesday you can find it archived: http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/12710861. Look for our students at 2:11:15.  If you missed our Jason Project Interview you can watch it again here: http://www.jason.org/public/careplay1.aspx. We were at 37 minutes 45 seconds.
Thanks
Megan

While we're in DC

Have you seen it?! Our photos are live on the Ocean Portal! Check out the Student Summit page and the delegations photos at http://ocean.si.edu.  Make sure you tune into the ocean portal for all of the webcasts. The Ocean Portal will host the entire group of student presentations, streaming live, from 9-12pm and 1-4pm Eastern on February 15.  Then it will air Jean Michel Cousteau’s lecture from 5:30-6:30pm Eastern later that evening.  

Then on February 16^th, the Ocean Portal will host the JASON project’s live web events at 12 and 3pm Eastern.  And, not only will you be able to tune into these events, you can tweet their questions and interact on Facebook; the Smithsonian will be tweeting live from the event.  Find the Ocean Portal on twitter @OceanPortal and on facebook at: The Ocean Portal. 

The links for the Jason Project and the Webcast again are:

Webcast information:

Event webcast from 8:30 am – 6:30 pm EST, February 15, 2011 

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/smithsonian-national-museum-of-natural-history

The JASON Project Interactive Broadcast with students, 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. EST, February 16, 2011 http://www.jason.org/science/live/coastal_america/jason/event.aspx

We head  out Monday morning. Today we're meeting one last time to cover any last minute details! I want to send a special Shout-Out to Maggy Hunter from Coastal America for organizing all of this and all of the hard work she's put into this. The summit is going to be amazing!