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Saving Walden’s World – A Film about Local Resilience by Belfast resident Jim Merkel

Discover the compelling story of how individuals and communities can make a profound impact on the planet. In *Saving Walden’s World*, acclaimed filmmaker Jim Merkel explores the urgent need for ecological balance through inspiring stories of resilience, sustainability, and hope in Slovenia, Cuba, and Kerala, India. This thought-provoking film challenges us to rethink our relationship with nature and empowers us to take meaningful action for a healthier, more harmonious world.

Join us on this journey to save not just his son Walden’s World, but our shared future.

In an increasingly polarized world, this film specifically sought out low-income societies that were prioritizing happiness and well-being over material accumulation. The screening will be hosted by CamdenCAN and the Camden Public Library on Thursday, February 20 at 6:30 pm (Doors open at 6:15). The address is 55 Main Street, Camden, ME 04843 and find us in the Picker Room.

Local Camden-based permaculture educator Joline Blais will join the film's director Jim Merkel for a Q&A following the screening. This evening is being presented by CamdenCAN (ClimateActionNow) a citizen-led organization committed to reducing Camden’s contribution to climate change through local action, education, advocacy, and resources.

Seeking Ways to Avoid a Sixth Mass Extinction -- Locally and Globally

Can we save ourselves from ourselves? What are we leaving for the next generation? These are the questions at the heart of Saving Walden’s World. The film follows Jim Merkel, a one-time military engineer turned author and sustainability champion, as he raises his son Walden in an off-the-grid homestead. Recognizing the peril on the planet, Jim seeks answers in societies meeting or exceeding the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set for 2030. The film takes us to Cuba, the state of Kerala in India, and Slovenia where decades of programs have ensured universal access to healthcare and higher education. The film asks, “Are there dividends to society from ensuring all have a decent life.”

Women’s Empowerment is a Common Thread in Building Resiliency

The film began as a study, seeking solutions, asking questions, and developing a pattern of research and exploration. During the filmmaking process, a uniting characteristic became apparent — societies prioritizing women’s status attained a high level of human development. Gender equality accelerated poverty reduction and led to higher rates of women finishing college. From Kerala's cooperative farms to Slovenia's gender-inclusive education system, Saving Walden’s World reveals that women's empowerment is key to building resilient societies. This single cultural orientation significantly contributes to well-being, by ensuring that a 16-year-old girl can realize her dreams of becoming a doctor, engineer, teacher, or businesswoman. Discover the process that enabled these changes while journeying to rarely-visited destinations on the screen in this beautifully produced film. As our institutions that have attempted to balance historic wealth, gender and racial inequality all come into the crosshairs, let's discuss ways to resist and support each other and the planet.

What Leaders Are Saying:

"Jim Merkel offers a special mix of practicality and idealism: a workable mix." — Bill McKibben

"As a former engineer working on weapons, his words have a special power." — Howard Zinn

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