Francesca and I are back from the Mountainfilm Festival in Telluride, Colorado. Each year, this festival focuses on themes that inspire people through the power of film, art and ideas to take action to create a better world, so we attend whenever we can. This year was extra special, complete with one of those proud moments that parents treasure. During the festival, our daughter Koral and her band mates performed at O’Bannon’s, a local Irish pub. We had a wonderful time as the band’s Reggae-inspired music filled the air with an uplifting message of living sustainably. Of all our kids, Koral is the most like my father with her out-of-the box thinking, endless creativity and respect for the planet.

A cause close to my heart

Climate change was this year’s festival theme. As many of you know, especially if you have been following my blog, this important issue is top-of-mind for me. So when I have an opportunity to join the conversation and share ideas, I’m all in. At the festival, I was in good company among so many people, groups, agencies and organizations that not only share this sentiment, but are actively working on solutions.

So much inspiration, so little time

There was much to see and do at this year’s festival. Over 100 films from 2-minute short films to feature-length films were available for screening. For me, one movie really stood out, and I encourage you to watch it (it will be out on Netflix later this year). It not only received the 2017 Audience Choice Award, but also the 2017 Student Award, signaling it as the best one to inspire the next generation.

The film is Chasing Coral directed by Jeff Orlowski. It is a sequel to Chasing Ice, his 2012 Emmy Award-winning film focusing on the planet’s melting ice caps. Watching Chasing Coral really struck a cord with me as it touches on exactly what I experienced when I compared the coral reefs of today to those of four decades ago in my blog post Coral Reefs: Then & Now.

To get a flavor of festival, you can check out some of the promotional videos from previous years on their website. Some are inspirational, others are funny, yet others are moving. All the videos truly highlight the wonderful human spirit that is behind the ability to solve any problem of the human race.

How to help out

If you are interested in making changes to your lifestyle that will help benefit the planet, Mountainfilm has created five key initiatives and encourages people to join the millions of others who are working on this cause. For details, check out: What Do You Want the New Normal to Be?

Share a little Niceness

Koral and her band mates have recently released their first album called Sunshine. (Yes, another proud parent moment.) But, what really has me smiling is the message. The lyrics, many of which she wrote, speak of the importance of sustainability. As Koral explains, “Sunshine is a call to awakening, intended to inspire mindfulness and the importance of respect, sustainability and living in harmony with ourselves, each other and our Mother Earth.”

You can check out the band and its mission below. Prepare to smile. If my father were alive, he would be grinning ear-to-ear!

Here’s to a little Niceness today!