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Video: Olivia Zaleski Covers the Clinton Global Initiative

Olivia interviews the CEO of Avon, Andrea Jung at the Clinton Global Inititiative

The Clinton Global Initiative was begun in 2005 by former President Bill Clinton in order to “…help turn good intentions into real actions and results.” Focusing on finding solutions to the world’s most pressing problems, the nonpartisan organization holds a yearly conference to discuss, highlight and take steps to solve the top issues of the day. Naturally, as the conference has grown, so have acknowledgement and inclusion of environmental issues.

Olivia speaks with Jeff Swartz, CEO of Timberland

Oliva says of the experience:

“Attending CGI is a great highlight in my career thus far. I feel incredibly inspired. Up next, attending not just as a member of the press, but as a commitment maker, contributing to an innovative solution to a great global need . . . someday!”

Former Eco Chick contributor and CNN/Fortune Green Business correspondent Olivia Zaleski was on hand to check out the CGI and fills us in on what went down.

Olivia Zaleski reports from inside the Clinton Global Initiative, where global leaders are gathered to create practical solutions to some of the world’s most pressing issues through the development of specific and measurable commitments to action.

In their second video report from the Clinton Global Initiative, correspondent Olivia Zaleski and filmmaker Gabriel London show us how public and private power is being applied, in the form of specific and measurable commitments, to help solve some of the world’s most pressing problems.
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Hot Latin Calendar Draws Attention to Climate Change, Extinction, Conservation

Puerto Rican Alessandra Rampolla embodies global warming as the January image for the Ecological Footprint calendar.

As reported by Treehugger, the Ecological Footprint calendar is a collaboration between the Azara Foundation and fashion photog Gaby Herbstein to raise awareness of global environmental issues. Super-creative and totally gorgeous shots, all! Very 2010.

See the other 10 images on the calendar on Treehugger.

Carla Peterson is a famous Argentinian actress and here stylishly (or garishly? Either way it’s a fun image) represents water pollution.

Copenhagen’s (COP15) Amazing Green Art

No successful movement works without important art. Where would the hippies have been without their unique (ehm, hallucinogenic) posters, 2nd wave feminism without all those novels and creative nonfiction writings, the Vietnam protests without the music, or Civil Rights without heart-wrenching photography? Not only did these pieces of art change opinions and inflame feelings at the time, all of these movements (and artistic statements) still resonate and influence today.

The plethora of art being displayed in and around the Copenhagen climate change negotiations is notable for both its volume and variety, and indicates that the movement to ensure a healthy future for the planet and it’s inhabitants is more than just a job for policymakers.

The Solar Peace Sculpture by Fred George

The people affected most by climate change are also the world’s poorest. For anyone who hopes for world peace, nothing could be more dividing (and enraging) than the world’s wealthiest continuing to pollute with greenhouse gases at the expense of those who already have so little.

Artist Fred George created this 9-foot sculpture for Copenhagen (it is a traveling model of the original 50-foot version) from used oil barrels and solar panels, which can feed into a city’s electrical grid in places where it is a permanent installation. “What a great opportunity to have a global conversation about preserving the environment and promoting alternative energy. We want people left with the vision of peace: peace with nature, peace within, peace worldwide,” says George.

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Humor in Global Warming? Yes.

From the August 24, 2009 issue of The New Yorker

Bill McKibben Talks Climate Change and 350.org with Colbert

I LOVE Colbert, and I am a long-time Bill McKibben fan; his new organization, 350.org is fighting climate change by encouraging initiatives that bring carbon down to 350ppm or lower (we are at 390 right now), which is the safe level for continued healthy and prosperous life on Earth.