We had such an awe inspiring weekend here in Telluride, Colorado and I’m so excited to share it with you. Global warming & climate change were the focus of this years Telluride Mountainfilm festival. The theme, The New Normal brought everyone’s attention to the most critical issue of our time. It’s something I think about often, but the films and conversations this weekend have made me more educated, aware and wanting to take action.

This issue is REAL and cannot be left to myth or excuses. The science is out there. Investigations are proven by the harsh climate based catastrophes found all around the world. Who is to blame for this earth crisis? We are. All human kind. We are the largest contributors to global warming and the harsh consequences it’s having on the planet. The good news is: it’s up to us (you and me) to make the changes to slow down this awful damage. With enough action, we can even offset our carbon footprints. The steps we can take are small and not difficult at all. They just need to be done in a timely manner.

Think globally, act locally. This small message is resounding. All it takes is mindfulness, awareness, education and some courage. Trust me, the results will pay off in spades.

Science speaks truth. Only truth. Science follows methods of procedure that when disputed can be tested and retested. Science starts with a question and is followed by systematic observation, measurements, and experiments which yield answers to that hypothesis. Scientists can conclude with certainty from their research that global warming is real, getting worse and needs to be stopped in it’s tracks.

How does global warming affect us? How will it affect future generations? The landscape will change as we know it. Food sources will dwindle. Natural disasters will propagate: killer heat waves, violent storms, floods, uncontrolled wild fires and all sorts of epic proportioned weather patterns will make living as we know it unbearable.

A few small changes could be: Eating a more plant based diet. Composting. Turning off lights. Driving less. Using your dryer less. Talking about the effects climate change with others. Making a pact to reduce, reuse and recycle. Speaking with your local government officials about how you can make the town you live in more energy efficient. Those are just a few things, there are so many.

Mountain film asks this:

ARE YOU READY TO COMMIT TO TAKE THESE FIVE STEPS TO CREATE A BETTER WORLD? Learn more here.

My answer is Hell YES! Are you? Here’s a few things I’ll be doing….

I will be educating others by sharing these important New Normal messages on my blog MarlaMeridith.com, related social media channels and by word of mouth. I’m going to help spread the word in my hometown Telluride, Colorado and beyond. This will include investing in local and global renewable power initiatives. I will be closely observing and educating myself about my carbon footprint with the goal to limit and offset it. I will teach my children & their peers the same. I will lead by example. I am signing the solar power pledge. I will continue to watch films, and pay closer attention to the problem. I pledge to practice healthy initiatives and solutions. I will continue to be mindful and kind, the best way to help cause epic change.

Here are some of the environmental films I saw over the long weekend. I encourage you to watch them yourselves. The great news is most of them are & will be very accessible to you in the near future. Show them to your kids. Invite conversation. These will encourage you to have a voice.

• Albatross is one of the most beautiful (and disturbing) films I’ve ever seen. Watch how these innocent birds are affected by the plastics that have become a part of their diet.
• An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power You might have caught the first film released in 2006. Al Gore has transformed the dialog around climate change. He is very clear on his missions and has inspired so many around the world. This will be released to major theaters soon.
• Chasing Coral This film won the People’s Choice award at the festival. Brilliant in every way. The cinematography is brilliant and subject matter is a big eye opener. Coral bleaching is no joke and a firm warning of whats to come.
• Samuel in the Clouds We watch a man keep vigil on a ski hill that is no longer. Chacaltaya, outside La Paz, Bolivia, took pride in calling itself the highest ski area in the world. Sadly with global warming, the glacier has melted and there is no snow in sight.
• The End of Snow We fall in love with the Snow Guardian hermit who spends his life documenting snow pack and weather data. The data shows how our beautiful ski resorts are in great jeopardy.

Mountainfilm in Telluride started in 1979. It’s one of America’s longest running & most inspiring film festivals. The festival travels around the world and might just end up in a town near you. Take a look at the locations for upcoming tour shows.

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. Martin Luther King