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Implementing environmental education into schools curriculum's worldwide as a permanent solution to our ecological crisis.

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What is our purpose as a species on this planet? “Mercy for Earth”, a feature length documentary film that explores why we are in our current ecological state, provides an attainable and permanent solution which may just answer the question, why are we here? With the participation of Academy Award winners, leading scientists, politicians, educators and students, we will tell our compelling story in a visually innovative way that will explore our current crisis, the falling number of animal species, and the sacrifices made by environmentalists. Culminating with a call of support for our proposal, this story of our past, hidden tragedies, and optimistic future lend themselves perfectly to the medium of film, where every emotion can be engaged.

Copyright © Mercy for Earth LLC

Photos by Melissa Cabral Barsottelli, Ignacio Barsottelli, William Cano, Ozzie Forbes, Ernesto Ortiz

Edited by: Lewis Wooler, Melissa Cabral Barsottelli

Layout & Designed - Melissa Cabral Barsottelli

IMAGINE... If we study environmental education worldwide as one of the main subjects in school curriculum's; our future will radically change. Our future engineers and architects, will think differently. They will then make projects based on coexisting in a logical and efficient way with our environment without making much impact. Our future generation will think of how we can reverse the damage that there are in our home "Planet Earth".

“It is our job to improve life for all living kinds.

This transformation is only possible with EDUCATION”

Ignacio Barsottelli Founder & Director

MISSION

Mercy for the Earth seeks to create awareness, educate and mobilize the need to induce a change in human behavior, which is necessary to preserve the environment and evolve focused on a precious common good: the survival of the human race.

VISION

To promote existing Global Environmental Educational Programs and resources, and make them available to the entire world society.

To help governments, private and public institutions around the world to establish ESD.

To impact with campaigns, events and innovative programs designed specifically for each level of education and sectors of society in order to achieve our Mission.

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ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND

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Mercy for Earth is an non profit organization founded and directed by Ignacio

Barsottelli, a veteran of the environmental conservation movement. While his

projects always have the unwavering support of leading scientific and educational

experts, Ignacio is also an expert in his own right. Over the past 25 years, Ignacio

and his foundations have successfully engaged the general public and mobilized

communities around environmental issues. In 2002, the U.S. Environmental

Protection Agency (EPA) awarded Ignacio the prestigious Environmental Quality

Award in recognition of his service as a tireless advocate for environmental

conservation and motivator of change.

In 1996, Ignacio founded the non-profit organization “Yo Limpio America” (I

Clean America). The organization also partnered with the Puerto Rican department

of education to institute environmental education in schools and establish addi-

tional programs to educate the community about various conservation methods –

initiatives that continue to influence the community today.

Ignacio has also headed several international environmental conservation

conferences in Latin America, and others in India and Europe. Through these

experiences, Ignacio has established relationships with leading minds in

environmental science, technology, and education, many of whom have formally

endorsed our proposal and continue to actively advise Mercy for Earth as we

continue our work.

Drawing on his accumulated knowledge and experience and in agreement with

respected scientists and educators, Ignacio sees that environmental education is the

best solution to the current crisis.

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Why support this Film?

Film is a powerful medium to initiate change, and we have chosen to create a documentary that provides hope, not create fear. We want to highlight humanities potential, not dwell on our shortcomings, and we are not demanding sacrifice, but rather we are asking for effort.

Documentaries are enjoying greater box office success than ever before, with 10 of the top 25 grossing films being centered on the environment or education. We believe that by producing a documentary, we have chosen the best means with which to make the biggest impact.

If you support this film, it will provide an opportunity for to promote the efforts already made and the to provide practical guidance to the people who can initiate change when it goes to the United Nations in 2015. The support provided for this endeavor, which unlike traditional films, will continue long after the release of the film. Your consideration and time has been greatly appreciated, and we would welcome any feedback and discussion regarding your involvement in this project.

Dr. Rajendra K. Pachauri - Chief of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Nobel Peace Prize 2007 , Irina Bokova (Director - General of UNESCO), Hakubun Shimomura - Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Japan, Dr. Qian Tang (Deputy Assistant Director-General for Education - UNESCO), Ingrid Newkirk - President & Founder of PETA , Msgr. Francesco Follo - Permanent Observer of the Holy See to UNESCO, Suzy Amis - Cameron an environmental advocate; the founder of MUSE School CA , Angie Motshekga Minister – Basic Education South Africa, Prof. Juan Díaz de la Torre - Secretary-General and President of SNTE- Mexican National Educational Workers Union, Daniel Blumstein - UCLA Professor & Chairman Department Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Jacque Fresco - Founder of The Venus Project, Mateo A. Castillo Ceja, Member of the Board, Earth Charter International, Robert W. Gillespie, President of Population Communication, Prof. Jacob Thuranira Kaimenyi BDS. , MDS., Ph.D. - Ministry of Education, Science &Technology - Kenya, Mr. Kishore SINGH - United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Education

Participating Organizations:

Participating Leaders:

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W h y a r e w e h e r e ?

What is our role this planet full of species whose roles are more clearly defined?

Highlighting our current ecological state, wild life conservation efforts, utilizing expert interviews, visual footage and animation, will address how we consume, and pose the question, why is this so? Why did some cultures learn to inherently live with nature when others didn’t?

For decades, individuals have been forced to mobilize ecological efforts and provide education of their own accord. And thanks to these efforts, today thousands of organizations worldwide are working hard so that the next generations can live in a healthy and balanced world. Keeping the environment in good condition should not be a utopia, but a challenge to all of humanity.

Presenting the solution of environmental education, and the forms with which it can be implemented. A series of scientific, environmental, and educational experts will present the case for this proposal. This will be a call to arms where we will break down how this can be accomplished, and what it will take from the audience.

S y n o p s i s

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WHY A RE WE HE RE?

"Education is the most powerful weapon which you

can use to change the world."

Nelson Mandela

Cleaning beach activities and protecting coral reefs. More than 1,000 environmental education students workshops in Latin America.

Covering International events such as UNESCO World Conference on Education for Sustainable Development - Japan

Irina Bokove Director-General of UNESCO at the UNESCO World Conference on ESD - Japan

21st annual Kids Ocean Day Adopt-A-Beach Clean-Up organized by the Malibu Foundation, City of Los Angeles.

Nearly 4,000 Los Angeles kids, teachers and volunteers send a giant text message from the ocean to “CLEAN ME UP”.

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RAISING AWARENESS: A MESSAGE OF HOPE

Departing from the current narrative of fear surrounding the environmental crisis, we are

creating a documentary film that presents the facts and promoting a solution in a way that,

while acknowledging the severity of the problem, will ultimately quell fear, instill new

hope, and mobilize the public. Environmental education is a practical – not radical –

solution to the environmental crisis, and the film, which will be released all over the world

and in multiple languages, will spread that message in an easy didactic way to implement

and a call to action.

EDUCATING: A REAL SOLUTION

In conjunction with the film and by applying our strategic action, together with the support

of UNESCO we will promote ESD, so that domestic and international organizations,

governments, associations, communities, educators, the private sector and citizens –

contribute together, and become aware of its importance and put ESD as a priority in their

agenda for it to be established.

MOBILIZING: AN INTERNATIONAL MOVEMENT

The international attention garnered by our commitment and participation, along with the

publicity surrounding the theatrical release of MFE documentary and the public services

announcements campaign with celebrities around the world spreading Earth charter message

will spark interest in and support MFE call to action. Therefore, mobilizing efforts to

implement ESD in countries across the globe, enabling MFE to reach out to countries all

over the world and aid them as they implement ESD in their educational systems.

STRATEGIC ACTION: AWARENESS, EDUCATION, MOBILIZATION

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What about the numerous environmental efforts being made on a daily basis? This film does not intend to judge what has preceded it, as there are many international programs that have made important strides. However, a majority has failed and there is an immediate need to evolve strategies, and eliminate the bureaucracy that hinders the development of such programs. The various government efforts adopted so far have not lived up to current human demands. Addressing the need for environmental education, and backed by uncompromising government commitment, we can bring to life the guiding principles we aim to achieve. We plan to illustrate how our proposal of environmental education can provide a lasting foundation that will work in conjunction with existing efforts and empower smaller nations to self govern the issues they face. Each environmental crisis a government faces is as varied as the planet itself. However these imaginary boarders we have created no longer contain the damage being wrought, as our daily impact exists now on a global level. As the name suggests, our plan for generational environmental education isn’t a short-term answer or a Band-Aid for the issues; even those bringing it into effect won’t witness the full benefit of this plan. However, the framework already exists, and similar commitments have been made with such mandates as the Kyoto Protocol. The difference is instead of forcing immediate change on an existing system, we can influence the next generation of politicians, entrepreneurs, consumers, so that the change is inherent. “Mercy for Earth” and its group of experts are responsible for outlining the movement, programs and educational resources based on awareness, education and the mobilization of society. The topics addressed in the film are at times tragic, hopeful, sad, and reinvigorat-ing. Utilizing real life footage, animation, and the dramatization of intriguing characters, “Mercy for Earth” has an innovative visual approach. This film will take the audience on a journey of emotions, from the admiration of nature, to the sadness of destruction, and the hope of a lasting solution. Our aim is to quell fear and provide hope, and demonstrate that the end is not around the corner. Life on this this planet will continue in the form of our choosing, and it is our responsibility to ensure earth remains the paradise we inherited. Whether we like it or not, we cannot avoid this fact, and it will be a long road, with no quick fixes. When one stops to consider what we’ve been given in return, our payment for this job, the gifts of comprehension, emotion, thought and expression, we should relish the opportunity to possess such an attainable and fulfilling purpose, and it starts by asking for, and bestowing mercy.

Our objective is the inclusion of environmental education in public and private schools as a foundation of national curriculums around the world, to be studied throughout a pupil's school career.

…MAKES EDUCATION RELEVANT

Education for Sustainable Development equips learners with the knowledge, skills

and values to address social, environmental and economic challenges of the 21st

century.

…TRANSFORMS EDUCATION

Education for Sustainable Development uses innovative learner-centered teaching

and learning styles. It empowers student and makes them agents in the educational

process, from early childhood to old age. It promotes learning beyond the

boundaries of educational institutions.

WHY WE ARE SUPPORTING AND PROMOTING ESD:

…PROMOTES EQUITY AND RESPECT

Education for Sustainable Development helps learners understand the situation,

the outlook and the need of people who live in other parts of the world or belong

to another generation.

…HELPS ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE

175 million children are likely to be affected by disasters related to climate change

within the next decade. Education for sustainable development prepares learners to

adapt to the impact of climate change and empowers them to address its causes.

…BUILD GREEN SOCIETIES

Education for Sustainable Development equips students with skills for green jobs

that help preserve or restore the quality of the environment, and improve human

well-being and social equity. It motivates learners to choose sustainable lifestyles.

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20508 Ventura Blvd, Suite 405, Woodland Hills, CA 91364

(213) 245-5021 . Info@mercyforearth.org

We Invite You:

To have "MERCY FOR EARTH". To bet on a major life style. For us to be visionaries and help us spread the word, to scream out loud for help, for the right of our children, our wildlife, our paradise...

W H Y A R E W E H E R E ?