The film opens with an abstract shadow moving across the surface of an ocean. We quickly realize that it belongs to a cargo plane soaring like a steel raptor towards the country of Tanzania, its empty belly to soon be filled by it’s bounty

The narrative begins with focus on a giant fish, the Nile Perch that has taken over the central African great lakes, a result of a single deposit made by a lone individual some 25 years earlier. This phenomenon has created an international fishing industry, while also decimating the native fish population. One is initially led to believe that the Darwinian nightmare the filmmaker Hubert Sauper is alluding to, is regarding evolutionary biology. The genesis of this incident is never fully explained. Instead we are taken deeply into the social Darwinism embodied by the relationship between a struggling 3rd world African economy beholden to the world bank and the IMF.

Here we have a film that is part poetic essay, part cinema verite documentary on the brutal inequities of modern capitalism. The intimacy with which Saupert presents us his human subjects is the key to the film’s success in delivering this message. In fact Saupert is rarely heard from at all, there are no 3rd person voiceovers calling us to action amidst the sensational imagery of war and famine. But there are numerous heartrending portrayals of individuals, both European and African, caught in its web. The luminous, and at times, terrifiying eyes of Raphael, the night watchmen/fisherman/guide, the abandoned children of the Mwanza streets, the dreams of a prostitute who we later learn was killed by one of her pilot johns. We experience up close the humanity of a people, which begs us to question why members of our own species are condemned to live under conditions we would find intolerable through the economic systems we support.

The DVD edition features an in-depth interview with the director, and Sauper speaks eloquently about his view on the social Darwinism portrayed in his film. Darwin was absolutely correct in his observation of natural systems of selection. i.e. the survival of the fittest, but when this observation becomes a paradigm wielded by humans toward humans, the result is fascism.

If you want to be challenged, emotionally affected, educated on a personal level about the ongoing tragedy(ies) in Africa, or are a fan of the films of Chris Marker or the Maysles Brothers, then you must see Darwin’s Nightmare.

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As we become more aware of the opportunities to make greener choices, it is important to remember that the first step towards sustainability is not just consuming green products, but reducing our consumption altogether.

The 3 Rs - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle - only go so far in creating sustainable thinking. Anticipating what this catch phrase actually means is a preliminary step in working daily towards sustainability. What we might consider is thinking about our usage in general, while creating strategies to accomplish the 3 Rs. Waste management experts refer to this as Re-Think.

An article at Inhabitat called our attention to the Dutch studio Volksware Meterware Shop that breathes new life into rejected goods, emphasizing the degree to which consumption of brands and products by consumers creates opportunities to recreate. Two of their many projects illustrate the point in a fascinating way.

Discarded tables are assembled to form a seemingly infinitely long table. When a customer requests a “new” table, a piece is cut to individual specs, and each section takes on a new image as an original table.

In another example of Volksware’s re-thinking, the effects of the oversupply and mass production of fashion and clothing products is brought into question, at the same time offering a new use for existing goods in a by-the-meter carpet (see image above).

Artists working with this thinking, show us that creating something new does not always mean creating a bigger footprint. By reusing source material, they actually reduce the need for new production, and recycle ideas to create new materials and products.

In essence, re-thinking green.

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As consumers looking for green solutions, we expect the products we purchase to represent the intention of the business.

Toxic Waste Hazardously Sour Candy isn’t organic, fair traded, or gmo free, however this company targets the mainstream, tween population to raise awareness, and educates children to act responsibly towards the environment.

Found inside a barrel of toxic waste, the message will reach a broad audience because it’s candy. So as they go on tour with a tween, all-girl band to summer camps educating 8-12 year old kids about their environmental impact they will also contribute to their tooth decay, insulin levels and ingestion of bt pesticides through gmo corn syrup. So here at ROOT we will inaugurate our greenwash category with this product. What will be next? Apocalypse Gum, you can’t blow up the world but you can blow up the world in you?

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Summer time inspires road trips. Whether you are inspired to visit national parks, friends and family, music festivals, or swimming holes, the interstates are crowded with campers and cars cruising down the highway.

In the spirit, Lucky Brand Jeans is cruising the States, from California to New York and back. The goal is to market their products at specific consumer targeted sites, events, and festivals. Lucky Brand Jeans has created a Denim Highway Bus, psychedelic tour, with the goal to see the country, visit the Boston Harbor 4th of July Festival and its own major stores. A website, soundtrack, and blog follow the tour.

This marketing strategy is interesting, and Root looks at a company that takes it further.

Guayaki Yerba Mate, a sustainable global brand, is heading to music festivals, bike races looking for like-minded businesses and consumers, and they are driving a bio-diesel bus. Educating through action, Guayaki’s desire is to represent conscious, sustainable business practices, and show how to do it. Their products are shade-grown, fair-traded and organic.

Responsible businesses inspire consumers to be aware of where a product comes and how it gets to them. Which road we decide to follow as consumers is important for the future of sustainable business practices around the world. And Guayaki is paving the road.

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