WHAT IS THE VALUE OF NATURE?

We have just one earth but many environmental challenges. How are we going to solve all these problems? Because everything ecological is symbiotically related, the task seems overwhelming.

"The Power of Activism" demonstrates that we should not let this deter us. Because if everything is connected, it doesn't matter where, you just have to start.

Michelle, there are so many people engaged in activism. Why did you decide to showcase Madison, Jordyn, and Alice's projects?

We wanted to show in our film that all environmental issues are interconnected. Our activists have been working on projects that address a diversity of issues that cause climate change. That was a major consideration for us. They are exceptional people, true leaders in their respective fields, and they harmonized well as a group. There are so many great people out there putting fantastic things together, but you need that certain something. Madison, Jordyn, and Alice have just that.

How did your film project come about?

I have had the desire to DO something for over ten years. I've always been engaged and thinking about what I can do to help protect the environment. Steve, the director of "The Power of Activism" came on board in 2018. We asked ourselves the question, how can we motivate people to act instead of leaving them overwhelmed after watching the film? And I think that only works if you convey to them that it's not about them personally but about the big picture and acting collectively by being socially engaged.

How did you come up with the approach of looking at activism through an economic lens?

When you talk about money, suddenly everyone is interested. We wanted the film to reach those who weren't yet listening. That's why we brought in Kirsten, the actuary, to calculate the monetary value of the various projects.

How did you find Kirsten, the actuary?

None of us knew Kirsten personally beforehand. She was recommended to us by other economists that Steve had worked with on another film project. She was really great. She was part of an advisory team forecasting how the COVID pandemic might evolve across Australia and how that would affect health systems and the broader workforce. So, she's in high demand, and we were able to get her on our film right after her work forecasting the pandemic.

How did you choose the data and statistics?

It was imperative that the data selected came from reputable sources. My interest and passion for knowledge and facts gave me a good understanding of where to find the latest and best studies. Additionally, the activists also knew of various studies and relevant data. The studies used were from leading international scientific organizations—WHO, UNESCO, WWF, to name a few—as well as from various governmental departments and industries. The calculations we present are in many ways just the tip of the iceberg, but they are significant and make it clear that action really does make sense from an economic perspective.

MICHELLE DADO-MILLYNN

is the creator/producer of "The Power of Activism" and has worked for more than 30 years as a set and costume designer for film, TV, and theater. With this project, she was finally able to combine her passion for nature, the environment, and animals (she's even a trained animal nurse) with her passion for film and storytelling.

Environmental protection and sustainability are complex issues, but there are many approaches to bringing about transformation. Environmental advocacy can create a chain reaction of positive impacts that go far beyond the goal and cannot be measured in financial terms alone. The most important thing is to initiate the process—just start. Three examples illustrate this concept in the film "The Power of Activism."

Madison Stewart Project Hiu

Tourism instead of shark fishing. Madison Stewart aims to inspire Indonesian shark fishermen to pursue alternative sources of income in sustainable tourism. She believes that they will stop only when it is proven to be financially advantageous.

Jordyn De Boer Boomerang Bags

Since 2013, Jordyn de Boer has been striving to curb the proliferation of single-use plastic bags by replacing them with self-sewn fabric bags, which are now in over 1,100 participating communities worldwide.

ALICE FORREST ECO-TOURISM

Biologist Alice Forrest is focusing on sustainable tourism in the Antarctic and Arctic to raise awareness, particularly among wealthy people, that these habitats are worth protecting.

An Indonesian fisherman catches

475 SHARKS / YEAR

1.5+ TIMES MORE Indonesia earns from tourism than from the shark fin and shark meat industry, so a live shark is more valuable than a dead shark.

A study in the Australian town of Dungog showed:

1,000 BOOMERANG BAGS replaced 91, 000 SINGLE-USE PLASTIC BAGS

According to an estimate by Oxfam, a development aid organization, 10% OF THE RICHEST PEOPLE are responsible for 49% OF THE WORLD'S ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE

5 BOATS Madison has been able to convince not to shark fish.

2 , 375 SHARKS SAVED

Extrapolated to all 1,100 Boomerang Bags communities, this means:

522 ,000 BOOMERANG BAGS replaced

47.5 MILLION SINGLE-USE PLASTIC BAGS

Alice Forrest is convinced that an extravagant vacation can have far-reaching consequences.

350 TOURS / SEASON

X

20 GUESTS / BOAT

= 7,000 GUESTS potentially reflecting on their lifestyle.

„

WE ALL KNOW INHERENTLY THAT THE ENVIRONMENT MATTERS—THAT ANIMALS MATTER, BIODIVERSITY MATTERS, CLIMATE MATTERS. BUT RIGHT NOW, NO ONE'S REALLY WILLING TO SAY, "HERE'S THE PRICE I'M WILLING TO PAY FOR THAT BEAUTIFUL BENEFIT."

THIS MAKES IT MORE DIFFICULT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES TO COMPETE WITH OTHER AREAS LIKE HEALTHCARE, FOR EXAMPLE, WHERE THERE'S A PRICE THAT WE ALREADY KNOW WE'RE WILLING TO PAY FOR A HEALTH OUTCOME.

KIRSTEN ARMSTRONG, ACUTARY

For links to KEY studies Kirsten Armstrong used for analysis, see the film’s website: www.thepowerofactivism.com

"THE OCEAN IS THE PLACE WHERE I BELONG. IT’S WHERE I FEEL FREE. WITHOUT THAT CONNECTION, I DON’T FEEL I’M THE PERSON I’M SUPPOSED TO BE."