SXSWorld
Issue link: https://sxsw.uberflip.com/i/427724
S X S W. C O M | N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 4 | S X S W o r l d 1 1 The private sector and civil society were involved throughout the Summit, making announcements on divesting from fossil fuels, a new Compact of Mayors and many other initiatives." As leader of the world's largest economy and its second largest emitter, at the Summit, President Barack Obama explained that over the past eight years, the U.S. has reduced its total carbon pol- lution by more than any other nation. He spoke of the many ways the U.S. is cutting emissions and supporting clean energy programs at home and abroad. He also mentioned the recent EPA regulation to force coal-fired power plants to cut their carbon emissions as a way to single out China, the world's worst greenhouse gas polluter whose leader, Premier Xi Jinping, was conspicuously absent from the Summit, to join him in the cause. "We have a special responsibility to lead," he said. "That's what big nations have to do." In his SXSW Eco closing keynote address, United States Secretary of Energy, Ernest Moniz, detailed U.S. efforts to cut emissions and invest in clean energy. Most notable in his speech was the impact of advances in innovation, including advanced materials and com- mercial products that are both energy efficient and technologically advanced, as well as manufactured in a sustainable manner. The tone was positive, and applause came after he revealed that Obama's "All of the Above" approach of cutting down on oil imports while increasing domestic oil production had already surpassed its initial goal. But things got interesting when a gentleman in the audi- ence asked about our oil exporting industry. "Yes, we have a global market and we're not going to be immune from that," said Moniz. Another question came from a woman from Denton, Texas, who said that her city would soon vote on whether or not to outlaw hydraulic fracturing. She wondered if the federal government would stand behind that. "It's a large industrial activity, and you can't make that go away," said Moniz. "What you can do is try to minimize the footprint." As the world prepares for the high-level talks in Lima and Paris, it is vital to remember that the battle for mitigation is also being fought on a local and individual level. Danny Miller, publisher of the London-based Weapons of Reason, a new international journal about pressing topics whose first issue focuses on the plight of the Arctic, put it like this: "What's struck us about climate change is that it's really a matter of cooperation. Just as transitioning away from oil and gas dependency isn't just about finding some mythical new energy source, but rather is about pulling every lever—increasing efficiency, investing in wind, solar and other renewables. Climate change is a problem that can only be solved when the leaders of nations get together and make sensible, coordinated and far-reaching decisions. Until then, we all have to keep talking about it. It's our duty to apply pressure at these key points of assembly." For Kreider, acting locally comes down to demanding choice. "Right now, we can't choose our utility company, and we have a dif- ficulty choosing our transportation, how we get energy, whether we can program our houses and control their systems ourselves," she says. "But this, like with what's happening with cable companies, is going to break. By putting pressure on leaders and making smart choices, we're helping to unleash a whole new range of options that are technologically better for the consumer and the environment." Flynn brings it even closer to home, saying, "In my view, we cannot underestimate the meaning in the small choices we make and the habits we practice. How we wrap our food, how we play baseball or how often we eat guacamole affect—and are affected by—our col- lective environment. These actions are connected to the rest of the planet and the people on it." "I don't really need people," says the stern voice of Mother Nature in the "Nature is Speaking" videos. "But people need me." Yes, we most certainly do. PAST PARTICIPANTS INCLUDE: Adobe, Blackmagic Design, Cinetics, Digital Bolex, Epiphany Eyewear, Olloclip, Precision Camera, Son/Omega Broadcast Group, Texas Media Systems, WeVideo For more information contact Sara Barney: sara@sxsw.com | (512) 467-7979 ext. 229 sxsw.com/exhibitions/trade-show/come-capture INTO FOCUS. PLAY YOUR PART IN BRINGING THE DYNAMIC LANDSCAPE OF DIGITAL FILMMAKING