Project 1: Environment & Sustainable Development

"Fine Dining" by 18-year-old Lance Katigbak, recent winner of the People’s Choice award at the Manhattan International Film Festival in New York

In lieu of a second paper on the topic on Environment and Sustainable Development, we would be requiring you to produce a YouTube video instead.

Choose among the following approaches:

1. An advocacy video that promotes an environmental cause that you are passionate about. Look at the scientific and technological aspects of the issues, as well as key socioeconomic factors. Make sure that you are not only promoting awareness of the issue, but prescriptions for change and (possibly) political action, based on your analysis.

2. A documentary video that traces the ecological footprint of a household or a community. Collect data by interviewing your subjects and filming their lifestyle. Use any of the data processing tools available online for calculating energy consumption, water consumption, waste generation, carbon footprint, etc. Discuss your discoveries in terms of the PRP model or environmental impact (I=PCT), and suggest lifestyle and values changes.

3. A documentary that would trace a material resource to its ultimate source or a waste/pollutant to its ultimate destination. Discuss your discoveries in terms of the matter cycles that are implicated in the resource use and waste generation, and suggest strategies for sustainable use of our natural capital.

4. An investigative news video where you would go to a wet market to find out the minimum budget that is possible to provide two square meals (lunch/dinner) for a family of four. No grocery stores or supermarkets, please. Investigate the source of the cost of food items in your basket (resource depletion?, market forces?, agricultural technologies?) and suggest strategies for food security for the future.

You may also suggest your own video project, but submit a 5-10 sentence proposal to me by Wednesday (Feb 8) next week.

Requirements:

• 3 students per group.
• 2-3 minute video (please edit well).
• Submit the YouTube link by 2 Mar 2012 (Friday).* I will download the video and re-post it on our website.

Premium will be placed on the concept, content, and production quality. Emphasis on the Philippines, local communities, and the personal is highly encouraged. All footage must be original, and all group members must appear in the video at some point.

We would like to make this 30% of your final grade, instead of 20%, and reduce the Activities on Various Topics from 25% to 15% (please see our Class Policies). If you have any questions or objections, please raise them with us before Wednesday (Feb 8) next week.

Submit your grouping and final video link by using the comment facility below. (No emails please.)

*Note the 1 week policy on late submissions.