A FREE SCREENING OF SAVING FOREST ECOSYSTEMS

There will be a free screening of SAVING FOREST ECOSYSTEMS, a film about the impacts of clear-cutting old-growth forests in North America, which after the logging machines depart, are either left as wastelands that erode away or transformed into sterile, monocultural tree plantations made devoid of understory by means of herbicides.  Not only are the globe's forests the lungs of the planet by providing the oxygen we breathe, but there is growing evidence that coastal forests in particular function as its heart as well by pumping moisture that brings rainfall to the interior of the continents.  The documentary points out that without our forests, Earth would be a rather barren world spinning in space.  They also provide many valuable ecological services without which we could not survive.  This includes vital watershed, wildlife habitat, genetic biodiversity and carbon storage as well as food, fodder, fuel, fiber and medicine for the Indigenous Peoples who depend upon them for their livelihoods.  Natural primary forests the world over are steadily being depleted and degraded by over-logging, burning and land clearing for monocrops, ranching, biofuel production to fill the gas tanks of advanced nations and real estate developments.  In addition, deforestation contributes to one-fifth of the atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations that cause global warming.  In this informative documentary, viewers will learn why the world's forests--both temperate and tropical--urgently require protection and restoration in order to stabilize Earth's climate and ensure a healthy biosphere.

The screening will be held on Monday, May 18th at 7:00 PM at Mayday Books, 301 Cedar Avenue South on the West Bank in Minneapolis.  The program is free and open to the public and is sponsored by the Climate Crisis Coalition of the Twin Cities (3CTC).  The Clean-Energy Vigil to Cool Down the Planet will take place on the plaza ouside the bookstore at 5:00 PM (Weather permitting), followed by the 3CTC Business Meeting at 6:00 PM.  All are welcome.  For more information, EMAIL:  christinefrank@visi.com or PHONE:  612-879-8937. 

SAVE MOTHER EARTH!  SEE YOU THERE!