Evidence of Hope is an inclusive global movement that uses positive storytelling to inspire behavior change in the world of sustainability. Jacques-Yves Cousteau said “People protect what they love, they love what they understand and they understand what they are taught.”
Right now, as you read this post, approximately one million plastic bottles are being used and entering a waste stream. This waste often ends in the ocean, breaking down into tiny microplastics consumed by sea life and entering a food chain consumed by many humans. Microplastics cause death and illness, and choke the ability of the ocean to add oxygen to the atmosphere, the essential ingredient to all life. How does knowing this make you feel? Scared? Numb? Overwhelmed? Frustrated?
During this same period of time, thousands of people around the world were collecting plastic bottles and using them as a source for solutions. In a soon to be released short film in the Evidence of Hope series, we meet a small group of people on Lamu island, off the coast of Kenya, who are collecting tons of plastic off their shores to melt into planks and use them to build a traditional dhow, or boat. The FlipFlopi has made its maiden voyage along the east African coast, and builds community awareness about plastic pollution. Their story is just one of many that builds a bank of evidence that it is possible to address global challenges, successfully. This story, along with others, demonstrates how tradition and creativity, along with necessity, are incubators of innovation. Now ask yourself, how do you feel? Engaged? Excited? Happy? Inspired
Evidence of Hope shares the progress that is happening right now, and demonstrates why we should have hope for a sustainable future. The first short film released in the series, Evidence of Hope: Yaeda Valley, shares the beautiful story of the Hadzabe people of northern Tanzania, one of the winners of the 2019 United Nations Equator Prize. The Hadzabe hold up a clear vision of the power of linking traditional indigenous knowledge with technology. They are one of the world’s oldest living indigenous communities, yet also leaders in innovative climate technology. Together with Carbon Tanzania, as community owners of their land, they have found a way to live their traditional lifestyle, protect their forests, and provide benefits to every person in the world! This is evidence of hope!
