Summary

2:11 ""Zeke's Heap"" by Jay April. Segment about a communal compost heap run by Tim Dundon, aka ""Zeke the Sheik."" The county health department is trying to force the removal of the giant compost pile, claiming it is a public nuisance. The people in the town organize a protest to save the heap. 7:02 Bill Kurtis commentary. Kurtis, a Chicago anchorman, warns of environmental catastrophe. 14:14 Public Service Announcement by Paul Tassie. A PSA featuring a dog that urges us to control automobile emissions. 15:16 Dr. Noel Brown commentary by Wendy Appel & Alan Barker. Brown, Director of the U.N. Environmental Program, claims that environmental destruction is vastly outpacing our ability to correct it and is one of the most critical problems in the world. ""The first problem is atmospheric and climate change, then there's the problem of disappearing species, and then the problem of a freshwater resources, we're polluting water at a much faster rate than we're conserving it. This is a very urgent matter, people must get involved, we've got to cut back CO2 emissions by 60%. The consequences are unpredictable...nature may not be able to keep pace. We're looking at the implications to see what the government should do."" 30:17 More from Dr. Noel Brown. ""The industrial center of gravity is shifting from Europe and the West to Asia and the Pacific. What will happen when 3 billion people begin to make claims on resources at the level that the West has? What will happen when people in China begin to drive cars at the same rate as those in the West? What will happen when Eastern Europe develops market-driven economies? These are new questions, what are the environmental implications?"" 31:51 ""Earth Day: Berkeley, California."" By Karen Einstein & Peter Wolf. We learn that Pacific Gas and Electric has set up a booth at the Berkeley Earth Day festival, having paid $5,000 to gain this more environmentally friendly image. 32:51 More from ""Zeke's Heap."" We go on a tour of Zeke's lush garden and learn what elements come together to produce such superior soil. 36:38 Murray Bookchin commentary by Luana Plunkett. Writer/activist Bookchin addresses environmental issues from a sociological perspective. ""I tried to show the idea of dominating nature stems from the idea of dominating people. My radical background in social theory leads me to believe that our ecological problems stem from social problems."" 41:48 Public Service Announcement by Paul Tassie. A PSA warns that garbage never disappears and urges recycling. 42:49 ""Postcard From the U.S. Environmental Film Festival"" by Bill Stamets & Mark Waters. Denver Post film critic Howie Movshovitz criticizes the intentions of Hollywood filmmakers and actors gathered in Colorado Springs, Colorado to discuss their commitment to save the environment. Ed Begley, Jr. is one of the guests. 47:29 ""Earth Day: Washington, DC"" by Eddie Becker. Popeye joins the ecology movement. ""I'm Popeye the sailor man, I recycle my spinach can...Anyone who pollutes the air, earth, or ocean is nothing more than a criminal!"" 49:03 ""Steve Brill, Wildman"" by Esti Marpet. In Central Park, New York City, the ""wild man"" conducts tours pointing out edible plants and teaching about conservation. In 1981, when he was leading tours in New York's parks, he was arrested and charged with criminal mischief for picking plants. After that, he made a deal with the city and now he's an official Park Department employee. His advice: ""Enjoy this planet, it's yours to partake of, it's yours to protect."" 56:30 More from ""Zeke's Heap."" The order to remove Zeke's heap has been rescinded because of public support. People celebrate under credits.