Nobelity

Is everything going to be OK?

'Nobelity' for Earth Day 2006

In an effort to answer his growing children's questions about the future of the earth, Texas filmmaker Turk Pipkin set out on a unique journey to find out how to save the world.

Over the course of 18 months Pipkin traveled around the globe visiting nine Nobel laureates to get their views on the world's problems, the situation of children who are most affected by them, and what in their view, we must do to leave the world a better place. Pipkin's film, "Nobelity," is being released for the 36th annual Earth Day on April 22.

Using a framework structured by themes of "Decisions," "Challenges," "Change," "Persistence," "Peace," "Reason," "Love," "Disparities" and "Knowledge," Nobel laureates in physics, chemistry, physiology, peace and economics offer insights that create a road map for development and peace.

Wangari Maathai of Kenya, for example, speaks of persistence. She founded the grass roots Green Belt Movement in 1986 and is the first environmentalist to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. Through her work Maathai has helped women plant more than 30 million trees at schools, on church grounds, and farms. All wars, she says, are a result of conflict over resources.

Other laureates include Archbishop Desmond Tutu who provides spiritual insight, Jody Williams of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, and Rick Smalley, Nanotechnology Pioneer.

Gentle but incisive, "Nobelity" invites viewers to contemplate the wisdom of the laureates, to engage in dialogue, and take action in the sphere of their daily lives. Because "Nobelity" reinforces the principles of Catholic Social Teaching, teachers and religious educators will find this documentary an inspiring and invaluable resource.

"Nobelity" is a well-paced documentary that is in no hurry to discover the answers to the earth's survival, responses that require the will to change business as usual. It is a sight and sound environmental experience in itself. "Nobelity" is being released through churches, environmental centers, private theater screenings, and libraries during April and May. For information about screenings in the Los Angeles area visit www.nobelitythefilm.com.

---Sr. Rose Pacatte, FSP