M'Lynn Hartwell
|
As many of you know, most of what I do is media production, design, and event planning. So far this year has been filled with fantastic and satisfying projects.
My fundamental values involve "giving back" and "paying it forward." What we “give” of ourselves is the investment we pay for all that we enjoy and benefit from in this world. What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others and the world remains and is immortal. Our efforts do make a difference, even when they are minuscule in comparison to the magnitude of the problem.
2010 was an interesting year. I was able to contribute quite a lot on behalf of the environment, and social justice. However I have never been more frustrated by politics, wars, greed, and the economic train-wreck that has been foisted upon the world, bringing us collectively to our knees.
With your support and good wishes, I am continuing to advocate on behalf of the environment, and human rights, here, and throughout the world, taking on the root sources of global climate change, and working to develop and encourage common sense solutions.
Invitations to speak before policy makers, and nongovernmental agencies have been a component of my life so far in 2011; it has been a tremendous honor, and it is a deeply appreciated affirmation of the advocacy work I have been engaged in for most of my adult life.
Recent ventures that I am especially excited about include:
-
FLOWforWater.org - Recently we produced a weekend conference entitled "Saving the Great Lakes Forever" featuring distinguished International water experts such as Maude Barlow, the national chairperson of The Council of Canadians, the co-founder of the Blue Planet Project, and advisor to the United Nations, along with Winona Hauter of Food and Water Watch. Video of the two day conference may be found at our web site.
- JobsAndEnergy.com - Your source of ideas toward achieving real, good paying jobs, while becoming energy independent from foreign oil. Drilling for more oil in the U.S. is a bunch of hype that will yield very little in practical relief when it comes to fuel for your vehicle, and burning it continues to exacerbate global warming. It's time for us to move beyond coal and oil, if we hope to have a planet that is habitable for human life.
-
CleanEnergyNowMI.org - Common sense energy solutions that will save you money and improve the environment for you and your family. Congratulations are in order, as the governor of Michigan has recalled coal power plant construction permits to be reevaluated incorporating an emissions and cost analysis. Green energy will now be given preference in Michigan.
-
In NW Michigan we are well into the Grand Vision master community planning process that covers a six county area. This was a collaborative vision while sitting on the NMEAC Board. You may have an interest in checking it out at: TheGrandVision.org It really is a model that any region anywhere on the earth would find of great valuable in planning regional land and resource use.
-
In Traverse City, my guide to living sustainability is located at WeAreTraverseCity.org
For those of you who have been generous in supporting my work, thank you. If you have not yet contributed, would you please consider doing so now? Advocacy work is expensive. One of the best ways you can express your appreciation for the work I have done on your behalf for the past thirty-eight years (and counting) is to contribute a few dollars ... not so much that you have to think twice about it, but enough to feel satisfied that you are helping somebody who is working hard every day to make this planet a better and safer place to live for you and your family. If money is tight, no worry ... just send a friendly hello. We all are in this together—so let's be convivial and kind.
Thank you in advance for stopping by. And thank you every day for your kindness and consideration—something we all appreciate in these challenging times.
All the best,
M'Lynn Hartwell, director of possibilties
Utopian Empire Creativeworks