SRO News | Updates

Rocking the Planet Green Board

0 comments Published Sunday, March 09, 2008 by SROmgmt.

I got to rock out with the rest of the Board a few weeks ago at the Discovery Headquarters in Silver Springs. I'm not at liberty to discuss the going-ons, but it's all p-r-e-t-t-y exciting. I didn't realize I was the youngest on the board...until I got there... Believe me, I don't take that lightly, even though I feel like a 50-something year old trapped in a 20-something year old's body at times.

I hope that my role there can really bring a voice to the burgeoning youth and minority movement that I've been so blessed to be a part of. I even got Andre, my coolest ass Prius-loving cab driver feeling my energy before the meeting. I got him all fired up about Powershift, The Green Jobs initiative, Dream Reborn, and the social justice energy building under the skin of the environmental movement. "WE WILL NOT BE DIVIDED!" --- (and hey, he said he's already reaping the benefits of green jobs in America. The chicks dig his hybrid ride).

Anyway, you can tell I'm revved for The Dream Reborn Conference April 4-6 in Memphis. It really gives me great pleasure and pride to be working with the Energy Action team again and meeting the individuals of Green for All. I had the pleasure when I was still a teen to work side-by-side Dorothy Cotton, the Civil Rights activist who served as SCLC's education director for 12 years under the direct supervision of King and also served on King's executive staff. Now, I have an opportunity to work with a new generation of leaders that breathe a welcoming energy to some of our most pressing issues.

We're raising money on Facebook to send a low-income youth to The Dream Reborn Conference, so if you can't be there, maybe you can help someone else to go. Spread the love.

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Planet Green Announces World Class Board of Advisors

(CSRwire) SILVER SPRING, MD, February 26, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- Planet Green, Discovery Communications' global multiplatform environmental initiative, today announced its strategic Board of Advisors representing a broad spectrum of thought leaders in the fields of science, academia, technology, business, environmental advocacy, government and media. Planet Green President and General Manager Eileen O'Neill made the announcement.

"When it comes to our Board of Advisors, Planet Green is standing on the shoulders of giants," said O'Neill. "These individuals are pioneers and visionaries, dedicating their passion and leadership to create a future that balances the needs of humankind and the environment. We are honored to have their guidance and participation as we endeavor to engage and inspire our audiences through Planet Green."

The Board will provide expert counsel on emerging trends, issues, innovations and scientific findings, to help inform Planet Green's robust offering of programming, content, partnerships and public affairs activities across Discovery's media platforms. The Board will also provide recommendations on practical methods to introduce and involve Planet Green's audiences in making a positive difference for the planet. The Board convened in February for its inaugural meeting.

Planet Green Board of Advisors
Discovery Communications Mr. John Hendricks, Founder and Chairman, Discovery Communications
Mr. David Zaslav, President and Chief Executive Officer, Discovery Communications
Ms. Eileen O'Neill, President and General Manager, Planet Green
Mr. Graham Hill, Founder, TreeHugger.com and Vice President Interactive, Planet Green

Environmental Advocacy
Ms. Frances Beinecke, President, Natural Resources Defense Council
Mr. S. Richard Fedrizzi, President, Chief Executive Officer and Founding Chairman, U.S. Green Building Council
Mr. Robert Kennedy, Jr., Chairman, Waterkeeper Alliance
Dr. Wangari Muta Maathai, Nobel Laureate and Executive Director, Greenbelt Movement International
Ms. Stephanie Meeks, Acting President and Chief Executive Officer, The Nature Conservancy
Mr. Matt Petersen, President and Chief Executive Officer, Global Green USA
Mr. Jerome Ringo, President, The Apollo Alliance
Mr. Larry J. Schweiger, President and Chief Executive Officer, National Wildlife Federation

Scientific Dr. Kathryn Moran, Director, Marine Geomechanics Laboratory, University of Rhode Island
Dr. David Suzuki, Co-Founder, The David Suzuki Foundation

Media, Policy and Entertainment
Ms. Carol Browner, Principal, The Albright Group LLC
Mr. Leonardo DiCaprio, Actor and Environmentalist
Mr. Daniel C. Esty, Hillhouse Professor of Environmental Law & Policy at Yale University; Director, Center for Business and the Environment at Yale
Mr. Andrew Lack, Chairman of the Board, Sony BMG Music Entertainment
Mr. Kenneth Lerer, Chairman, The Huffington Post
Mr. Achim Steiner, Executive Director, United Nations Environment Programme

Honorary Board Members
Governmental
The Honorable Christopher Shays, Connecticut
The Honorable Mark Udall, Colorado Governor Martin O'Malley,
Maryland Governor Tim Pawlenty, Minnesota

Discovery Communications Experts
Mr. Josh Bernstein, President and Chief Executive Officer, Boulder Outdoor Survival School
Mr. Jeff Corwin, Wildlife Biologist and Emmy Award-Winning Host
Mr. Philippe Cousteau, Co-Founder and President, EarthEcho International
Ms. Terri Irwin, Founder, Wildlife Warriors and Director, Australia Zoo
Mr. John Picard, Sustainability Expert
Ms. Summer Rayne Oakes, Model and Activist
Ms. Sara Snow, Green Living Expert and host of Get Fresh with Sara Snow

About Planet Green Discovery Communications is a passionate advocate of preserving our earth and a leader in developing television programs that educate citizens about the best qualities of this place we call home. Discovery's commitment to these issues reached new heights when it created Planet Green, a global,cross-company initiative dedicated to documenting, preserving and celebrating the planet.

In June 2008, Discovery Home channel becomes Planet Green -- the first 24-hour eco-lifestyle channel dedicated to making a difference by providing tools, information and content that will enlighten, empower and most importantly, entertain. The channel will launch to more than 50 million homes. Planet Green speaks to people who want to understand green living and to those who truly want to make a difference by providing resources to meet the critical challenge of protecting our environment. Planet Green's platforms include leading eco-lifestyle website TreeHugger.com (http://www.treehugger.com) and the recently launched solutions-oriented PlanetGreen.com (http://planetgreen.discovery.com). Discovery will also launch Discovery Education Green, a K-12 service that hosts dynamic media content correlated to state standards. Discovery Education Green will help teachers integrate Green lessons into their curriculum and empowers students to make more environmentally conscious decisions.

Labels: Discovery, Discovery News, Planet Green, Planet Green board of advisors

MTV & Discovery Give Props to the Rabble-Rousers on Capitol Hill: "These Young People Have Balls When it Comes to Climate Change"

0 comments Published Monday, December 10, 2007 by SROmgmt.

To view the MTV clip, click here.

To view the Discovery News clip, click here.

We have to give ourselves a pat on the back. Six thousand of us from all 50 states showed up, 300 Congressional Districts. We even had a strong international contingent, but it's not over. The Energy Bill has passed the House, which includes higher fuel efficiency standards and greater investments in renewable energy. We applaud the effort, but WE WANT MORE. Yes, we are threatening you

Read part of our press release below:

"The Energy Bill is a terrific victory and is exactly where we needed
to be....ten years ago.  Our government must act quickly with the
resolve of a nation truly committed to lead by example.  We must
propel ourselves down a path of reducing our Green House Gas Emissions
at least 80% by the year 2050, and we should match the EU's challenge
to us of cutting our emissions 30% by 2020.  Necessity dictates
action, and there has never been anything more necessary for the very
survival and prosperity of our civilization than taking immediate and
bold action worthy of our nation's status as a global leader.  The
Youth of America speak with one voice on this issue, and that voice is
screaming in unison: "We want more, and we will make sure we get it."

"Moving forward,  young people are demanding even bolder political
leadership from their elected officials. If threats of a Senate
filibuster and a Presidential veto are true, politicians that engage
in such activities designed to destroy our right to a clean energy
future will face fierce campaigns and job losses in 2008. What
happened in Australia will happen here. As young people we will likely
represent a quarter of the electorate in this next election and our
numbers are only growing. We're in this for the long haul and we will
build a better, cleaner, more just, and sustainable future. This
energy bill represents the beginning of the end for elected officials
and corporate interests that stand in our way."