blog.51give.com

51Give is honored the Beijing Energy Network selected our film for inclusion in the  “Beijing Energy Network Short Film Night.” This event was intended to develop a community that shares their experience, innovates together, and raises awareness of the events of COP15 and the importance of these negotiations. The BEN event featuring 51Give included 20 short films on energy and environment crisis, clean technologies and solutions, and calls for action.

The 51Give short film was directed by Gabriel London for his short-film series, “See You in Copenhagen.” Gabriel London’s films have been broadcast nationally on television networks ranging from MTV to SpikeTV, and internationally as part of film festivals including IDFA, Urbanworld Film Festival, and Live Earth. The “See You In Copenhagen” films, supported by the UN Foundation and the Global Campaign for Climate Action, were all directed by Gabriel London and produced by Colleen Hard, both of Found Object Films. They were designed to engage the public in the build up to COP15 and commenced a campaign that is continuing throughout the conference.The series reflects the lives, opinions, and stories of the individuals, the creators, entrepreneurs and politicians working toward climate change solutions. Gabriel London expresses this intention saying,

“[The films] bring home to viewers the opportunities and hopes wrapped up in Copenhagen by showing portraits of Copenhagen ’stakeholders’; from green industry leaders whose businesses will benefit from a fair and binding climate deal, to the very people who will lose their homes and livelihoods if a deal is not struck, and climate change persists unchecked.” (United Nations Foundation)

Through these personal accounts, the films demonstrate the need for environmental change. Reid Detchon, Vice President, Energy and Climate, United Nations Foundation recognized the power of these films saying,

“As these film so vividly demonstrate, the world and our future are gravely at risk from climate change…These films can help build the political will to make that happen.”

The 51Give short film in the series reflects the environmental context of China and hope for the future by focusing on a 51Give wind-turbine project in rural China. With Denmark being the largest source of wind power and 350 wind industry leaders are participating in COP15 51Give ’s wind-turbine project is particularly relevant to the COP15 negotiations.

The film has been visible and influential throughout the COP15 events and the events leading up to the conference. The film aired in the Climate Week Opening Ceremony in New York City for an audience including, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Danish Minister of Climate and Energy Connie Hedegaard, actor Hugh Jackman, and others; has been viewed throughout the conference in Copenhagen for leaders from more than 190 countries; and was recognized by The Huffington Post as an encouraging and powerful force that demonstrates what is at stake in the COP15 negotiations.

51Give is passionate about the event and firmly supports BEN’s effort to promote collaboration of like-minded individuals form government, finance, media, advocacy, think tanks, and academia in Beijing as we pursue environmental solutions. We recognize it was a great opportunity to work with BEN and to bring COP15 to Beijing. The 51Give team had a wonderful time and hope everyone else did as well.

See the 51Give film here: http://vimeo.com/6655314

51Give sponsored the Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability (LOHAS) International Forum this past weekend. We are firmly committed to the values of LOHAS: personal health, environmental respect, social justice, personal development, and sustainable living and embrace the opportunity to support them. LOHAS works in several sectors, personal health, natural lifestyles, green building, alternative transport, eco-tourism, and alternative energy. They are leaders in developing green lifestyles, reaching 1 in 4 Americans with their products and their attitude. Five years ago they expanded into China and LOHAS affiliated communities, towns, supermarkets, companies,websites, clubs, magazines, TV programs, pop songs and a mobile newspaper feature have appeared in China. Their perspective and influence is inspiring and 51Give recognizes the partnership as a wonderful opportunity to reach a greater audience and collaborate with like-minded individuals.

The forum was an opportunity for groups and individuals with shared values to come together, discuss, innovate, learn, and work toward a sustainable future.The event hosted speeches on the development of eco-villages and eco-friendly communities, a low carbon future, and the role of youth in this movement. 51Give was able to connect with people and organizations from all over the world, working toward the same goals as us. 51Give is looking to help LOHAS and the entire community reach its goals by offering “green” loans in rural areas, thereby promoting renewable energy entrepreneurs, while alleviate poverty and changing the standard of living.

51Give was able to engage with representatives from many similarly motivated organizations, including, The Prince’s Foundation for the Built Environment, an educational charity which teaches ecological ways of planning a building. Their work with eco-designs and developing green infrastructure where there is none provides them with similar experiences as 51Give, allowing us to learn from one another. We also Listened to the director of the Department of Pilot Programs for Small Cities and Towns, National Development and Reform Commission, who is focused on developing rural areas in sustainable “green” ways, just like 51Give. 51Give was able to become part of a greater community at LOHAS dedicated to international environmental lifestyle changes.

The conference successfully brought together organizations and individuals determined to face environmental challenges. It was a high-end professional forum where individuals connected, communicated, and collaborated. 51Give is grateful we had the opportunity to share with and learn from others passionate about fostering a “green” way of living.

SIDE EVENT
“Innovations from China: I Want Sustainable Innovation Movement”
Hiu Ng and Daniel Foa – Co-founders of 51Sim & 51Give – Beijing, China
Friday, December11th from 17:00-19:00
Bella Center Hall, Delegation Hall 7, Bellona Room

Hiu Ng and Daniel Foa Co - founders and directors of 51Sim (Sustainable Innovation Movement) and 51Give will discuss environmental solutions. From empowering the youth of China to actively engage in reducing carbon, to making micro-loans to farmers, installing methane digesters and solar panels, 51Sim is dedicated to inspiring and empowering adults and youth alike in order to develop innovative solutions. 51Sim’s projects embrace the imagination and voices of the youth, unite them as citizens of the world, and foster creative solutions to reduce carbon emissions and global warming. 51Sim’s ambition is to connect and empower the global community, by developing green bridges and supporting the pursuit of sustainable solutions to social and ecological challenges.

Co-founder Hiu Ng will be talking live from Beijing via live video feed. Former Under-Secretary General of the United Nations, Maurice Strong will be delivering a recorded address to the audience.

More information about 51Sim and 51Give at www.51sim.org and www.51give.com

Follow 51Sim at COP15 at http://cop15.51sim.org

December 7, 2009. The “Give Me Green Confidence—Take Action to Support the Copenhagen Conference and Rescue Our Earth” press conference was held at the News Building in Beijing. The event was attended by Chinese youth leaders and students from various universities around China, they initiated a dialogue on climate change issues and experts answered Chinese youth questions regarding the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference. 51Sim’s co-founders, Hiu Ng & Daniel Foa; the former United Nations Under-Secretary-General, Mr. Maurice Strong; Mr Yuan Jinhong Deputy Director of the Climate Change Office at China’s State Forestry Administration; Representatives of the Global Youth Summit on Climate Change and of China Youth Climate Action Network (CYCAN); the Deputy Editor of China Securities Daily, Mr. Dong Shaopeng; Ms. Cathy Sheng Climate Change Programme Manager at the Cultural and Education Section of the British Embassy gave speeches.

51Sim’s team of international project managers for the United States; the European Union; Latin America; Africa and finally Asia-Pacific – came on stage and introduced to the audience of 51Sim’s specific programs taking action in the area of environmental protection. They shared with China’s youth their experiences in leading low-carbon lifestyles, their passion for work, as well as their excitement at engaging with them to solve climate change problems.

The world’s attention is now focused on, “United Nations Climate Change Conference,” the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP15) in Copenhagen, Denmark. The Copenhagen Climate Conference is called by some “humanity’s last chance to save the planet.” In Copenhagen 51sim co-founder Daniel Foa will screen the video of Chinese students showing their commitment to rescue the environment. This film will be broadcasted in cinemas, conference halls, concert stadiums and will give the world a taste Chinese youth’s involvement in reverting climate crisis and 51Sim’s determination to maintain our planet’s harmony. Daniel Foa will not only represent 51Sim at the conference but will also represent the organisation in a number of activities. Daniel, 3 SISC winning students, British Counsel representatives and media will go on a boat tour with award-winning Chinese actress Li Bingbing to visit Danish Wind Turbines. Daniel will discuss climate change solutions such as energy-saving materials and emission reduction programs from China and he is speaking in different events to talk about state of commitment to environmental restoration in China. Hiu Ng is managing the COP15 programs from China and will deliver to Chinese media a dialogue about the themes of the Copenhagen Climate Conference gathered by Daniel. Meanwhile, 51Sim’s information on its participation at COP15 will be available on Sohu, Ifeng.com, Securities Daily, BTV and other media. 51sim’s blog (cop15.51give.org) will be regularly updated.

51Sim is a non-profit organization ( “51″ = “I want”; “Sim” = “Sustainable Innovation Movement”). It uses innovation with Chinese characteristics, interactive media and collaboration with a number of not-for-profit organizations, harmonious grass-roots organisations, businesses, and governmental bodies to promote the importance of environmental restoration. To date, 51Sim’s initiatives and programs have been heralded as responsible, high-impact, and harmonious by communities and governments in China and around the world. During 2008, 51Sim’s “Sustainable Innovation Student Competition” was recognized as a Key Commitment to Action by former US President Bill Clinton at the Clinton Global Initiative Asia. With Copenhagen Climate Change Conference 51Sim also co-hosted together with the Ministry of Culture the closing ceremony of the China International Youth Arts Week, a major Olympic activiity. Together with Camco and Clearworld – two leading businesses based in London and Beijing dealing with carbon trading –  51Sim offsetted to Uganda 1280 tons of carbon produced by air travel during 12 days of the Youth Arts week. This was China’s first certified carbon-offset government co-organised event to support Green Olympics. 51SIM also financed Youth leaders from Peking University to visit disaster hit villages in Szechuan to volunteer. Their time was divided between teaching in make shift summer schools, playing team building games with children, delivering supplies that were needed and helping with village rebuilding. In 2009 51sim co-organised with the British Council, China’s first Sustainable Innovation Student Competition. The 120 winning students took part at the British Council Young Ambassador Climate Camp, 36 students presented their projects at SISC award ceremony and 12 of them were sent to attend COP15 as well as receiving 100, 000 RMB seed financing to start their sustainable start ups.

During the “Give me green confidence” press conference, former United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Maurice Strong at the press event said: I take China’s environmental future to heart and I encourage Chinese youth to take part in the country’s environmental protection efforts. Through cooperating with 51SIM, I have understood that Chinese youth have an enormous potential. They are tomorrow’s leaders, and the future of China is in good hands.” Referring to this event, 51Sim co-founder Ms Hiu Ng said: “COP15 will be a window through which China can show the world how it contributes to reducing the impact of climate change on the environment. I hope that not only Chinese media, but also foreign media will show interest in reporting China’s youth efforts to prevent climate change. I encourage our media friends to do what they can to support the restoration of the earth by making these voices heard. They are little voices but we are great in number. We at 51Sim put all our efforts towards providing young people a sustainable innovation platform to help them fight climate change with practical solutions. The road to a greener future is bumpy, but if we act together and cooperate with our international friends we can be successful! Go Chinese youth!”