A lot of people I’ve spoken with over the break agree 2011 was a tough year.  A year of relative slog and frustratingly slow progress. A year we optimists – just about all designers and entrepreneurs are optimists by definition (im a bit of both so god help me!) – would describe as all about ‘ground work’. A few steps forward and at least one (or even two!) back.  And like every good optimist the world over  i am already seeing the signs that 2012 is the year that we might just start breaking through on the many progressive issues we focus on and really consolidate on the hard work of the past few years.

And you know what, those two steps forward could become four, eight – or even a stampede if more people took up their seat at the optimists’ table – after all it’s the failure of imagination and our lack of belief in our ability to change that is the first, and i’d suggest most formidable, block that prevents us from changing everything. We could then get on to amping it up and seriously leveraging the ground work done to date. Making this the year we gain serious traction on our responses to the climate crisis and chronic (and the inextricably linked) social justice issues and finally begin to transform our personal, political and business systems for the greater good.

I always find i’m extra optimistic after taking stock of what our little company in Surry Hills was able to achieve in just one year. So in the interests of being able to boldly take my seat at the optimists’ table again this year  i’ll ask you to join me in taking a moment to look back on the great work Digital Eskimo, our clients and community of collaborators produced  in 2011.

If you’re a subscriber to our DE updates and invite emails you would have already seen our end of year email (there’s a few additions and link fixes though so might be worth a  second squiz!).  If not here it is and here’s to another year at the table!

View the ‘Annnd its a wrap!’ 2011 end of year email from Digital Eskimo.

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Dr. David Vincent, head of International Programs at Carbon Trust and an actual P.h.D. carrying scientist, is visiting Australia hot on the heels of self proclaimed Nobel laurette Lord Monckton. Last Thursday 11th February, we heard his thoughts about climate skepticism and how small businesses could position themselves for the imminent low carbon economy.

David is currently in Australia on a mission to inspire our small to medium business (SME) owners to start thinking about ways to prepare themselves for the move to a low carbon economy.

Carbon reduction will create significant business opportunities, and not just for the bigger players in the market. Because of their trademark flexibility, innovation and close ties with the community, SMEs are ideally positioned to leverage the low carbon economy for growth.

Carbon Trust has already done some great work with businesses in the UK, helping them identify effective and affordable ways to reduce their carbon footprints, develop low carbon technologies and, ultimately, lower costs.

This DE Talk was presented in collaboration with the British High Commission, and held at a new venue, Object Gallery, where we are currently exhibiting for the State.Respond exhibition.

To see photos from the event, please visit our Flickr page.

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For those of you who missed either of our “The Age of Stupid” screenings and still want to check it out (and we highly recommend that you do!!), The British Council will be showing the film in both Sydney and Melbourne with a limited number of free tickets available to the general public.

For those of you based in Sydney:

When:
Tuesday 10 November, 6pm arrival for 6.15pm screening. Followed by a reception in the AGNSW Restaurant

Where:
Domain Theatre, Art Gallery of New South Wales
Art Gallery Road
The Domain, Sydney

If you’re based in Melbourne:

When:
Tuesday 24 November at 6pm OR Thursday 26 November at 6pm

Where:
Studio One
Australian Centre for the Moving Image
Federation Square
Melbourne

An RSVP is essential as tickets are limited! Please contact the British Council on 02 9326 2022 or rsvp@britishcouncil.org.au by Thursday 5 November for the Sydney screening or Wednesday 18 November for the Melbourne screening.

Related posts:

1. The Age of Stupid Indie Screening Encore

A big thank you to all who attended either (or both!) of our “Age of Stupid” screenings. It was great to see so many people interested in the film and keen to take action to try and prevent the catastrophic climate crisis that we are facing.

We’ve compiled a list of useful online resources to help you get started.

WHAT TO DO?

• With Copenhagen on the horizon, it is imperative that we GET POLITICAL - now. This tool from ACF is the best we know of for explaining exactly how to find your local MP, how to book a meeting, what to prepare to say, how to get past nerves and what to do afterwards. If you do nothing else, please do this ASAP.
• If you have more time and inclination, sign up with Greenpeace to hear about protests and direct actions you can take part in to make your voice heard.
• Join the 350.org mailing list and attend their events: they hosted the recent first International Day of Climate Action last Saturday 24th Oct. It’s an umbrella organisation that mobilises environmental groups all over the world. 350 is the ’safe’ amount of parts per million of carbon in the atmosphere that will avoid catastrophic climate change. Check out their video of last Saturday’s events for some inspiration.
• To make personal changes, there are many guides, but one of the best is the 10:10 campaign which aims to reduce personal emissions by 10%, by the end of 2010: a very achievable target for everyone. There’s a ‘how-to chart’ you can print and put on the fridge to document your progress. It is UK-centric at the moment, but they are looking to launch globally. This campaign is an initiative of ‘Not Stupid’ – which is the campaign site for the film you saw. If you have more time, there’s a lot of good reading there too.
• Get in the loop! Understand what is going on at Copenhagen and track its progress; Independent news site New Matilda has started a great series ‘Copenhagen for Dummies’ – a series of 6, free online articles that will explain the nitty gritty.
• Spread the word! Host your own indie movie screening – it was REALLY easy and REALLY cheap. A ’screening’ can be as small as 3 people in your lounge-room.
• More (much more) about the film, if you’re interested, including the scientific facts behind the scenarios.
• Keep us in the loop! We at Digital Eskimo would love to attend your events, help you publicise them, etc. Check out our site to hear more about us, join our Facebook, Twitter and blogs to keep up with our crazy plans. And if you have things you’re trying out yourself, be sure to check out our new not-for-profit baby ’live local‘, which is all about strengthening communities to enable resilience to climate change and peak oil.

Related posts:

1. 350.org climate protests move the world