The beginning of an ECO-HERO can often be a humble one. James Wells was looking for a job. He decided to work for the small non-profit organization Sustainable South Bronx. James started training to be a green steward for the organization; the responsibility of this particular station was to lead a team of volunteers and dedicated conservationists to care for trees in local parks. James never expected to love his job, but soon enough he became excited every morning when his alarm clock roused him for work.

James gets inspired by thinking about the health of trees. Loving your job is a luxury that few people get to experience. Choosing to make the environmental health of the planet your job in life makes James Wells an ECO-HERO.

In order to get a geographic appreciation of James Wells, make sure to check out James Wells’ Map Marker [www.sundancechannel.com] on Eco-mmunity Map.

Visit Sustainable South Bronx [www.bobthurman.com]

Feel free to comment on this post and discover More ECO HEROES using the links below:

Jonathan Demme [www.sundancechannel.com]

Ira Ehrenpreis @ Technology Partners [www.sundancechannel.com]

Jerry Fiddler @ Solazyme [www.sundancechannel.com]

Sarah Gitlin @ Dalton High School [www.sundancechannel.com]

Shai Agassi @ Project Better Place [www.sundancechannel.com]

Sherry Strong [www.sundancechannel.com]

Zem Joaquin [www.sundancechannel.com]

Adam Green [www.sundancechannel.com]

Robert Thurman [www.sundancechannel.com]

Joanna Opot @ Starting Bloc [www.sundancechannel.com]

James Wells @ Sustainable South Bronx [www.sundancechannel.com]

Joanna Opot runs a fellowship program that helps students of any discipline link their studies to environmental factors. The fellowship program goes one step further than education by also providing career opportunities and contacts for their fellows to further environmental works around the globe.

Working at an organization that annually provides the needed resources for people to undertake green projects makes Joanna Opot a very successful ECO HERO.

Check out the ECO HEROES video with Joanna Opot.

In order to get a geographic appreciation of Starting Bloc , make sure to check out Joanna Opot’s Map Marker [www.sundancechannel.com] on Eco-mmunity Map.

Feel free to comment on this post and discover More ECO HEROES using the links below:

Jonathan Demme [www.sundancechannel.com]

Ira Ehrenpreis @ Technology Partners [www.sundancechannel.com]

Jerry Fiddler @ Solazyme [www.sundancechannel.com]

Sarah Gitlin @ Dalton High School [www.sundancechannel.com]

Shai Agassi @ Project Better Place [www.sundancechannel.com]

Sherry Strong [www.sundancechannel.com]

Zem Joaquin [www.sundancechannel.com]

Adam Green [www.sundancechannel.com]

Robert Thurman [www.sundancechannel.com]

Joanna Opot @ Starting Bloc [www.sundancechannel.com]

James Wells @ Sustainable South Bronx [www.sundancechannel.com]

Born and raised in the South Bronx, co-host Majora Carter of Sundance Channel’s THE GREEN founded Sustainable South Bronx in 2001 to fight for environmental justice through innovative, economically sustainable projects that are informed by community needs. She is a recipient of a MacArthur “Genius” Grant, a member of Clinton Global Initiative, and Co-founder of Green For All with Van Jones. In Season 2 of THE GREEN, Carter is featured in Sundance Channel’s original program “Big Ideas for a Small Planet,” winner of the of the 2007 Environmental Media Award for Best Documentary, as a green roof innovator in the episode “Grow.”

Called one of 25 people to watch in 2007 by Newsweek; one of 50 most powerful women in NYC by the NY Post; and one of the 25 Most Influential African Americans by Essence Magazine, Carter continues to live and work in the environmentally-challenged community of the South Bronx. By creating positive physical environments, demonstrating cool and green roof technologies, working to build local-value driven development, and supporting the Bronx Environmental Stewardship Training program, this “urban revitalization strategist” is demonstrating Clean-Tech solutions for resistant urban public health and global climate concerns and is creating a skilled green-collar workforce with personal and economic stakes in their urban environment.

1. What’s your favorite political movie?

MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON (first movie that ever made me cry), and THE CONTENDER is a good runner up.

2. What role do you feel art plays in politics?

As a communication medium, it can be used to expose or hide the truth. Hopefully the former and in a way that is constructive.

3. What do you think is the biggest issue for the next generation of Americans?

Truth. the money involved in politics and the fear mongering used to drive opinion is stomping out the truth left and right. I doubt everyone will ever agree on everything, but there is so little basis for open conversation now because of all these lies floating around; and not enough people who are willing to stand firmly on their faith in the power of truth. When we can all be honest, we can solve anything.

4. Who was the first political candidate you were excited to vote for and why?
My local NY Assemblyman Ruben Diaz Jr. I starting working with him on local issues when I came back home and was so impressed by how fiercely he fought for his community, and Barak Obama

5. What factors are important to you in choosing a president?

An aspirational vision that takes the best of what we have and makes it greater. Credibility. Wisdom beyond their actual “experience”

6. What issues would you like to see politicians focus more on?

Domestic poverty and the myth of “free” trade, or “free” markets, or “free” speech for that matter. none of these things are really all that free - we are all paying the hidden costs everyday, and into the future.

7. Which issues would you like to see politicians focus less on?

Terrorism and war. Look at how much we spend on these now for how few (american) lives are actually affected. An aggressive seat-belt usage campaign or effective hand gun control would save far more American lives for much less money. All the hundreds of billions spent on war could have us off oil and out of the Middle East in a matter of years. All of the pollution reductions would unleash billions in domestic health care savings. All the jobs would bring so much hope and peace - starting here at home. Who could oppose these things? We are already spending the money, let’s just change its direction

8. Which candidate’s initiatives do you feel better address environmental concerns?

I assume you mean presidential candidates. Both of them talk about nuclear and “clean” coal which is unfortunate, but I am not too worried because even under Bush the Second, ground level opposition has been able to stop many of those projects. McCain’s idea that we can extract enough domestic oil to make any difference for average Americans is almost too stupid to respond to - but people like saying things like “Drill Baby Drill!”.

9. This is your soapbox - shout it out! What do you need to get off your chest?

Green the ghetto!

10. Do you have any recommended links, books or movies so people can learn more about the issues you care about?

The Green Collar Economy, Van Jones
The Man Who Planted Trees, Jean Giono

Adam Green spends time on boats. He enjoys using sustainable materials like recovered wood to build boats. He started an organization “Rocking the Boat,” which invites kids to build and sail boats. Being a part of this experience helps these kids experience a working environment while also helping them notice the importance of creatively using sustainable materials. Adam shows us his heroic nature as he shares his passion for sailing with other people.

Check out the ECO HEROES video with Adam Green.

In order to get a geographic appreciation of Rocking the Boat [www.rockingtheboat.org], make sure to check out Adam Green’s Map Marker [www.sundancechannel.com] on Eco-mmunity Map.

Feel free to comment on this post and discover More ECO HEROES using the links below:

Jonathan Demme [www.sundancechannel.com]

Ira Ehrenpreis @ Technology Partners [www.sundancechannel.com]

Jerry Fiddler @ Solazyme [www.sundancechannel.com]

Sarah Gitlin @ Dalton High School [www.sundancechannel.com]

Shai Agassi @ Project Better Place [www.sundancechannel.com]

Sherry Strong [www.sundancechannel.com]

Zem Joaquin [www.sundancechannel.com]

Adam Green [www.sundancechannel.com]

Robert Thurman [www.sundancechannel.com]

Joanna Opot @ Starting Bloc [www.sundancechannel.com]

James Wells @ Sustainable South Bronx [www.sundancechannel.com]

Ira Ehrenpreis is a General Partner at a company called Technology Partners, which primarily invests in what they call “Cleantech Companies” as well as select life sciences companies. Cleantech refers to any technology which is at worst carbon neutral and at best, actually promotes a cleaner environment.

One of the problems that Cleantech is poised to solve

Ira Ehrenpreis supports governmental subsidies for Cleantech companies, as he feels that they can use all the help they can get to compete with the entrenched fossil fuel energies already on the marketplace.

Check out the video of ECO HEROES with Ira Ehrenpreis right here in THE GREEN Blog.

In order to get a geographic appreciation of Technology Partners, make sure to check out Ira Ehrenpreis’ Map Marker [www.sundancechannel.com] on Eco-mmunity Map.

Technology Partners Website [www.technologypartners.com]

Feel free to leave comments on this post and click the following link to find Technology Partners [www.technologypartners.com].

Discover More ECO HEROES using the links below:

Jonathan Demme [www.sundancechannel.com]

Ira Ehrenpreis @ Technology Partners [www.sundancechannel.com]

Jerry Fiddler @ Solazyme [www.sundancechannel.com]

Sarah Gitlin @ Dalton High School [www.sundancechannel.com]

Shai Agassi @ Project Better Place [www.sundancechannel.com]

Sherry Strong [www.sundancechannel.com]

Zem Joaquin [www.sundancechannel.com]

Adam Green [www.sundancechannel.com]

Robert Thurman [www.sundancechannel.com]

Joanna Opot @ Starting Bloc [www.sundancechannel.com]

James Wells @ Sustainable South Bronx [www.sundancechannel.com]

Jerry Fiddler, Chairman of Solazyme, is a huge advocate of algae. All the Popeye comparisons aside, algae really can make you strong, or more precisely, can make your diesel engine run like a workhorse. Mr. Fiddler’s company ferments algae in enormous tanks, thereby refining the vegetable into a biodiesel fuel that can fuel your car.

The process used to make the fuel is entirely organic as you can also create consumer grade edible vegetable oil. This is another commercial application of algae. These two applications of algae are just the tip of the iceberg in terms of what Solazyme is looking to do. They work with universities and many other companies that might be interested in a custom designed natural ingredient that could be used in the energy, chemical or medical industries.

Check out the ECO HEROES video with Jerry Fiddler.

In order to get a geographic appreciation of Solazyme, make sure to check out Jerry Fiddler’s Map Marker [www.sundancechannel.com] on Eco-mmunity Map.

Feel free to leave comments on this post and please find out more about Solazyme [www.solazyme.com].

Discover More ECO HEROES using the links below:

Jonathan Demme [www.sundancechannel.com]

Ira Ehrenpreis @ Technology Partners [www.sundancechannel.com]

Jerry Fiddler @ Solazyme [www.sundancechannel.com]

Sarah Gitlin @ Dalton High School [www.sundancechannel.com]

Shai Agassi @ Project Better Place [www.sundancechannel.com]

Sherry Strong [www.sundancechannel.com]

Zem Joaquin [www.sundancechannel.com]

Adam Green [www.sundancechannel.com]

Robert Thurman [www.sundancechannel.com]

Joanna Opot @ Starting Bloc [www.sundancechannel.com]

James Wells @ Sustainable South Bronx [www.sundancechannel.com]

Sarah Gitlin is a senior at Dalton High School in New York City. She strives to be a environmentalist throughout her life, and is getting her start by motivating her school to be more environmentally friendly. She led the way for a senior class gift consisting of solar panels for the roof of the school.

Check out the ECO HEROES video with Sarah Gitlan.

In order to get a geographic appreciation of Dalton High School, make sure to check out Sarah Gitlin’s Map Marker [www.sundancechannel.com] on Eco-mmunity Map.

Feel free to leave comments on this post and please find out more about Dalton High School [www.dalton.org].

Discover More ECO HEROES using the links below:

Jonathan Demme [www.sundancechannel.com]

Ira Ehrenpreis @ Technology Partners [www.sundancechannel.com]

Jerry Fiddler @ Solazyme [www.sundancechannel.com]

Sarah Gitlin @ Dalton High School [www.sundancechannel.com]

Shai Agassi @ Project Better Place [www.sundancechannel.com]

Sherry Strong [www.sundancechannel.com]

Zem Joaquin [www.sundancechannel.com]

Adam Green [www.sundancechannel.com]

Robert Thurman [www.sundancechannel.com]

Joanna Opot @ Starting Bloc [www.sundancechannel.com]

James Wells @ Sustainable South Bronx [www.sundancechannel.com]

You may have heard about Majora Carter, the host of THE GREEN, Executive Director of Sustainable South Bronx and upcoming host for a brand new series called ECO-HEROES.

Majora has been a major proponent of greening rooftops in the city. In fact, her own rooftop garden is featured in an episode of BIG IDEAS FOR A SMALL PLANET. Check out a clip from the episode below.

Majora’s organization, Sustainable South Bronx (SSB) has scored a huge victory in the New York State Legislature. With the help of of the organization S.W.I.M., assembly man Rubin Diaz, Jr., and many others, there is a new law that creates a tax rebate incentive for building green roofs on top of buildings. Building owners can look forward to exempting 25% of their rooftop garden construction costs against their annual property taxes. It looks like this time, law and order has been used to promote the greater good.

You can get more details on this development in the Sustainable South Bronx Website [www.ssbx.org].

Majora Carter and Simran Sethi care about the environment. They have many areas of knowledge on various environmental subjects. The two hosts made a few green editorial videos that played during the first screening of THE GREEN programming block. These videos deliver bite-sized bits of information that make it easier to present simplified versions of very confusing issues.

These green editorials also refer to some of the documentaries that play on Sundance Channel. Make sure to keep a note of the documentaries that interest you and tune-in to Sundance Channel the next time that documentary airs.

Green Editorial #1: Introducing the Hosts and Fuel Issues

This piece engages the fossil fuel industry and connects the dots between the oil well, your gas station and your tank of energy. This brings up the documentary CRUDE AWAKENING.

Green Editorial #2: Majora Carter and the Sustainable South Bronx project

This video with Majora Carter focuses on some important issues of pollution and poverty and how the two are often found in the same places.

Green Editorial #3: Simran Sethi and Vegetable Gardens

Simran Sethi shares her knowledge about the lawns in America and whether laboring that hard on grass is really worth it.

We trust you enjoyed these video pieces, and we’ll keep these coming in the near future.