Articles
General · 10th February 2010
Film "TAPPED" - Victoria Premiere
7pm Wednesday March 10th, 2010
Victoria Event Centre
1415 Broad St (elevator access)
$10 suggested donation
Doors open at 5.30pm
Please arrive early to avoid disappointment
OPEN CINEMA Turns the Screws on Bottled Water with Victoria Premiere of Acclaimed Documentary TAPPED.
On Wednesday March 10th, 2010 OPEN CINEMA hosts the Victoria premiere of Tapped, a clear-headed and inspiring portrait of the lives being affected by the unregulated multi-million dollar bottled water industry. Sponsored by the Greater Victoria Water Watch Coalition (GVWWC), post-screening discussion speakers include Janet Gray (GVWWC), Deborah Walker (CRD Water Conservation), Bill Weaver (Media Strategist & Filmmaker) and Susanne Porter-Bopp (Community Water Coordinator, POLIS Project).
Did you know that North Americans consume 80 million single-serving bottles of water each day? And that bottled water costs 1,900 times more than tap water, even though 40% of it is merely filtered tap water? Tapped takes an informative and entertaining look at the disturbing history of the bottled water industry and the sophisticated publicity campaigns engineered by Nestle, Coca-Cola, Pepsi and the oil industry to promote their products despite harmful human and environmental consequences.
US filmmaker Susan Soechtig was unaware of the issues until she decided to investigate the bottled water industry after learning about the existence of a ‘plastic stew’ known as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. An area twice the size of Texas, the floating dump contains 46 times more plastic than plankton with devastating effects on sea life. Local media man Bill Weaver will be in attendance to talk about Midway Journey, a new project that is addressing this environmental tragedy in creative and innovative ways.
March 11th marks Canada’s first Bottled Water Free Day and GVWWC is joining hundreds of Canadian campuses and non-profits in the awareness campaign. “The BC and Federal governments continue to waste millions of tax dollars on bottled water contracts,” says GVWWC member Freya Keddie. “Meanwhile, our public water and wastewater systems are chronically under-funded, and cash-strapped municipalities must consider privatization to access provincial or federal funds." The GVWWC will make its annual Toast to Tapwater at the March 10th screening.
WHAT: Tapped (USA, 2009) Victoria premiere followed by open forum discussion with Janet Gray (Greater Victoria Water Watch Coalition), Bill Weaver (Media Strategist), Deborah Walker (CRD Water Conservation) and moderator Susanne Porter-Bopp (Community Water Coordinator, POLIS Project).
WHEN: 7.00pm, March 10th 2010
(Doors open at 5.30pm)
WHERE: Victoria Event Centre, 1415 Broad St
www.1415broad.com (elevator access!)
COST: $10 suggested donation.
Cash bar, popcorn, pizza, door prizes, more!
INFO: www.opencinema.ca
BACKGROUNDER
Tapped (USA, 2009)
The Greater Victoria Water Watch Coalition
Bottled Water Free Day
Bill Weaver, filmmaker Midway Journey
Deborah Walker, CRD Water Conservation
Susanne Porter-Bopp, POLIS Project
Janet Gray
1. Tapped (USA, 2009)
Is access to clean drinking water a basic human right, or a commodity that should be bought and sold like any other article of commerce? Stephanie Soechtig's debut feature is an unflinching examination of the big business of bottled water. From the producers of Who Killed the Electric Car and I.O.U.S.A., this timely documentary is a behind-the-scenes look into the unregulated and unseen world of an industry that aims to privatize and sell back the one resource that ought never to become a commodity: our water.
From the plastic production to the ocean in which so many of these bottles end up, this inspiring documentary trails the path of the bottled water industry and the communities which were the unwitting chips on the table. A powerful portrait of the lives affected by the bottled water industry, this revelatory film features those caught at the intersection of big business and the public's right to water.
For further information about the film: www.tappedthemovie.com
2. The Greater Victoria Water Watch Coalition
Since 2005, the GVWWC has promoted the benefits of public water and wastewater services and has championed the public good versus private interests. GVWWC welcomes membership from organizations and individuals who see water as a fundamental issue in this region. We are an “equal opportunity” Coalition, not weighted in favour of any member organization or individual.
CURRENT GVWWC MEMBERS include: Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace, Council of Canadians - Victoria Chapter, CUPE Locals 1978/374, Greater Victoria Seniors (BCOAPO), Island Water Watch, KAIROS - Victoria Group, Social Responsibility Council First Victoria Unitarian Church, South Island Health Coalition, Victoria Labour Council and many concerned individuals.
3. Bottled Water Free Day
Join the Canadian Federation of Students, the Sierra Youth Coalition, and the Polaris Institute in the countdown to Canada’s first Bottled Water Free Day! Organisations across the country are actively working and supporting Bottled Water Free Day by planning actions in their communities and adopting resolutions in support of the Bottled Water Free Day Pledge.
For more information visit: Bottled Water Free Day
4. Bill Weaver
Bill Weaver is a media strategist, journalist, and filmmaker. He is also the founder of Media that Matters, a multidisciplinary conference for traditional and leading edge media, held each May at Hollyhock. As a result of an initiative from last year's conference, Bill recently travelled to Midway atoll with renowned photographer Chris Jordan and three other media artists. There, they witnessed a dramatic environmental tragedy: forty percent of albatross chicks die every year by ingesting pieces of plastic fed to them by their parents. A large percentage of that deathly diet is composed of bottle caps. As a result of this journey, a book and new media projects are in the works. For more information visit:
www.MidwayJourney.com
5. Deborah Walker, CRD Water Conservation
Deborah Walker is the Demand Management Coordinator for the Capital Regional District (CRD) Environmental Partnerships (since 2000), and she is responsible to promote the wise and efficient use of water. Her responsibilities include the design, development and delivery of water conservation programs to 340,000 persons in the Capital Region. Evaluating the effectiveness is an important aspect of these responsibilities.
Previously Deborah was the Manager for the Water Efficiency Section for the Regional Municipality of Waterloo in Ontario for 6 years and she owned and operated an Energy Efficiency consulting firm that delivered the R-2000 housing program in Nova Scotia on behalf of the Federal Government. She holds a degree in Consumer Studies from University of Mount Saint Vincent and has presented academic papers and provided consultation services for countries such as Chile, Brazil and the United States.
CRD Environmental Sustainability encourages the wise and efficient use of water through education financial incentives, policy measures and research for both residents and businesses.
6. Susanne Porter-Bopp, POLIS Project
Susanne Porter-Bopp is the Community Water Coordinator at the POLIS Project on Ecological Governance at the University of Victoria. Her work with the Water Sustainability Project at POLIS focuses on enhancing water conservation capacity in various communities across Canada through several water soft path planning pilot projects and the development of a number of practical tools for local governments, including Get Water Smart: A Seven Step “How To” Guidebook to Water Conservation Planning for Canadian Communities. She is also leading “Action H20”, a multiple-year national project that seeks to develop leadership for water conservation in grassroots communities and local governments across Canada, with Sierra Club of Canada.
Since joining POLIS in 2006, Susanne has coordinated several community food security and youth engagement projects and is actively involved in community radio and other local media. As a current associate with Waterlution: A Water Learning Experience, Susanne also coordinates and facilitates workshops on local water issues for youth and young professionals across British Columbia.
Susanne holds a Bachelor of Arts (Political Science) from the University of Toronto and a Master in Environmental Studies from York University, where her research focused on national parks policy.
7. Janet Gray
Janet Gray has been active in community all her adult life, as a nurse, mother, homeschooling educator, and organic gardener. She believes in the strength of grass roots community in making the changes we need to create a healthy future for all. Active in Kairos and Social Justice organizations within the United Church of Canada she has been working on water issues for almost five years with the GVWWC. Janet is passionate about water.
Victoria Event Centre
1415 Broad St (elevator access)
$10 suggested donation
Doors open at 5.30pm
Please arrive early to avoid disappointment
OPEN CINEMA Turns the Screws on Bottled Water with Victoria Premiere of Acclaimed Documentary TAPPED.
On Wednesday March 10th, 2010 OPEN CINEMA hosts the Victoria premiere of Tapped, a clear-headed and inspiring portrait of the lives being affected by the unregulated multi-million dollar bottled water industry. Sponsored by the Greater Victoria Water Watch Coalition (GVWWC), post-screening discussion speakers include Janet Gray (GVWWC), Deborah Walker (CRD Water Conservation), Bill Weaver (Media Strategist & Filmmaker) and Susanne Porter-Bopp (Community Water Coordinator, POLIS Project).
Did you know that North Americans consume 80 million single-serving bottles of water each day? And that bottled water costs 1,900 times more than tap water, even though 40% of it is merely filtered tap water? Tapped takes an informative and entertaining look at the disturbing history of the bottled water industry and the sophisticated publicity campaigns engineered by Nestle, Coca-Cola, Pepsi and the oil industry to promote their products despite harmful human and environmental consequences.
US filmmaker Susan Soechtig was unaware of the issues until she decided to investigate the bottled water industry after learning about the existence of a ‘plastic stew’ known as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. An area twice the size of Texas, the floating dump contains 46 times more plastic than plankton with devastating effects on sea life. Local media man Bill Weaver will be in attendance to talk about Midway Journey, a new project that is addressing this environmental tragedy in creative and innovative ways.
March 11th marks Canada’s first Bottled Water Free Day and GVWWC is joining hundreds of Canadian campuses and non-profits in the awareness campaign. “The BC and Federal governments continue to waste millions of tax dollars on bottled water contracts,” says GVWWC member Freya Keddie. “Meanwhile, our public water and wastewater systems are chronically under-funded, and cash-strapped municipalities must consider privatization to access provincial or federal funds." The GVWWC will make its annual Toast to Tapwater at the March 10th screening.
WHAT: Tapped (USA, 2009) Victoria premiere followed by open forum discussion with Janet Gray (Greater Victoria Water Watch Coalition), Bill Weaver (Media Strategist), Deborah Walker (CRD Water Conservation) and moderator Susanne Porter-Bopp (Community Water Coordinator, POLIS Project).
WHEN: 7.00pm, March 10th 2010
(Doors open at 5.30pm)
WHERE: Victoria Event Centre, 1415 Broad St
www.1415broad.com (elevator access!)
COST: $10 suggested donation.
Cash bar, popcorn, pizza, door prizes, more!
INFO: www.opencinema.ca
BACKGROUNDER
Tapped (USA, 2009)
The Greater Victoria Water Watch Coalition
Bottled Water Free Day
Bill Weaver, filmmaker Midway Journey
Deborah Walker, CRD Water Conservation
Susanne Porter-Bopp, POLIS Project
Janet Gray
1. Tapped (USA, 2009)
Is access to clean drinking water a basic human right, or a commodity that should be bought and sold like any other article of commerce? Stephanie Soechtig's debut feature is an unflinching examination of the big business of bottled water. From the producers of Who Killed the Electric Car and I.O.U.S.A., this timely documentary is a behind-the-scenes look into the unregulated and unseen world of an industry that aims to privatize and sell back the one resource that ought never to become a commodity: our water.
From the plastic production to the ocean in which so many of these bottles end up, this inspiring documentary trails the path of the bottled water industry and the communities which were the unwitting chips on the table. A powerful portrait of the lives affected by the bottled water industry, this revelatory film features those caught at the intersection of big business and the public's right to water.
For further information about the film: www.tappedthemovie.com
2. The Greater Victoria Water Watch Coalition
Since 2005, the GVWWC has promoted the benefits of public water and wastewater services and has championed the public good versus private interests. GVWWC welcomes membership from organizations and individuals who see water as a fundamental issue in this region. We are an “equal opportunity” Coalition, not weighted in favour of any member organization or individual.
CURRENT GVWWC MEMBERS include: Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace, Council of Canadians - Victoria Chapter, CUPE Locals 1978/374, Greater Victoria Seniors (BCOAPO), Island Water Watch, KAIROS - Victoria Group, Social Responsibility Council First Victoria Unitarian Church, South Island Health Coalition, Victoria Labour Council and many concerned individuals.
3. Bottled Water Free Day
Join the Canadian Federation of Students, the Sierra Youth Coalition, and the Polaris Institute in the countdown to Canada’s first Bottled Water Free Day! Organisations across the country are actively working and supporting Bottled Water Free Day by planning actions in their communities and adopting resolutions in support of the Bottled Water Free Day Pledge.
For more information visit: Bottled Water Free Day
4. Bill Weaver
Bill Weaver is a media strategist, journalist, and filmmaker. He is also the founder of Media that Matters, a multidisciplinary conference for traditional and leading edge media, held each May at Hollyhock. As a result of an initiative from last year's conference, Bill recently travelled to Midway atoll with renowned photographer Chris Jordan and three other media artists. There, they witnessed a dramatic environmental tragedy: forty percent of albatross chicks die every year by ingesting pieces of plastic fed to them by their parents. A large percentage of that deathly diet is composed of bottle caps. As a result of this journey, a book and new media projects are in the works. For more information visit:
www.MidwayJourney.com
5. Deborah Walker, CRD Water Conservation
Deborah Walker is the Demand Management Coordinator for the Capital Regional District (CRD) Environmental Partnerships (since 2000), and she is responsible to promote the wise and efficient use of water. Her responsibilities include the design, development and delivery of water conservation programs to 340,000 persons in the Capital Region. Evaluating the effectiveness is an important aspect of these responsibilities.
Previously Deborah was the Manager for the Water Efficiency Section for the Regional Municipality of Waterloo in Ontario for 6 years and she owned and operated an Energy Efficiency consulting firm that delivered the R-2000 housing program in Nova Scotia on behalf of the Federal Government. She holds a degree in Consumer Studies from University of Mount Saint Vincent and has presented academic papers and provided consultation services for countries such as Chile, Brazil and the United States.
CRD Environmental Sustainability encourages the wise and efficient use of water through education financial incentives, policy measures and research for both residents and businesses.
6. Susanne Porter-Bopp, POLIS Project
Susanne Porter-Bopp is the Community Water Coordinator at the POLIS Project on Ecological Governance at the University of Victoria. Her work with the Water Sustainability Project at POLIS focuses on enhancing water conservation capacity in various communities across Canada through several water soft path planning pilot projects and the development of a number of practical tools for local governments, including Get Water Smart: A Seven Step “How To” Guidebook to Water Conservation Planning for Canadian Communities. She is also leading “Action H20”, a multiple-year national project that seeks to develop leadership for water conservation in grassroots communities and local governments across Canada, with Sierra Club of Canada.
Since joining POLIS in 2006, Susanne has coordinated several community food security and youth engagement projects and is actively involved in community radio and other local media. As a current associate with Waterlution: A Water Learning Experience, Susanne also coordinates and facilitates workshops on local water issues for youth and young professionals across British Columbia.
Susanne holds a Bachelor of Arts (Political Science) from the University of Toronto and a Master in Environmental Studies from York University, where her research focused on national parks policy.
7. Janet Gray
Janet Gray has been active in community all her adult life, as a nurse, mother, homeschooling educator, and organic gardener. She believes in the strength of grass roots community in making the changes we need to create a healthy future for all. Active in Kairos and Social Justice organizations within the United Church of Canada she has been working on water issues for almost five years with the GVWWC. Janet is passionate about water.