By Lizzie Moore
(April 22, 2019 – Auburn, CA) On Friday, May 17th from 6:30 - 8:30pm, the group “350 Placer” will be showing the film “The Reluctant Radical” at the Auburn Public Library. Following the movie, renown climate activist Ken Ward will be joining the group via Skype to facilitate a discussion about the film. There is no charge for this event.
350 Placer is a group of residents who joined together to promote clean, sustainable living in Placer County. The group is inspired by the international group 350.org, a grassroots organization dedicated to reducing carbon levels to no more than 350 parts per million. The number 350 is the level of carbon believed to be safe and sustainable for life on our planet – we are currently at 414. The good news is, it is not too late to reverse our course, if we act now and together as a community. We only have a short window.
Both the international and local “350” groups are driven by the scientific findings from 97% of the world’s climate scientists that human-caused climate change is creating a dire future for our region and our world. Frequent and extreme weather events are already being seen, as well as increasing related public health issues. It is predicted that there will be drastic negative economic effects on our economy, that millions of people will be displaced and that there will be significant food and clean water shortage in our lifetime.
As written on thereluctantradicalmovie.com, “The Reluctant Radical is a climate change film like no other. It is an intimate character portrait of Ken Ward, an intense man who puts everything on the line in his fight to stave off climate change. Using cinema verite storytelling, the film explores the moral question: if a crime is committed in order to prevent a greater crime, is it forgivable? Is it, in fact, necessary? The film reveals both the personal costs and also the fulfillment that comes from following one’s moral callingeven if that means breaking the law. Ken Ward has no regrets, and his certainty leaves the audience to consider if he is out of touch with reality, or if it is the rest of society that is delusional for not acting when faced with the unsettling evidence that we are
collectively destroying our world…”.
350 Placer’s primary aim is to educate the community about climate change and to encourage collective action to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. Its leaders believe that coming to "The Reluctant Radical” showing and discussion is a great way to learn more about this important issue and to explore one’s own involvement. The group is also available for presentations to community groups.
350 Placer can be found on Facebook and can be emailed at 350Placer@gmail.com.
Additional questions can be directed to David or Shandon at 530-878-2611.
