Growthbusters Documentary Showing on Thursday at Library

(Art Myatt, Transition Ferndale Press Release, 11/16/2011)

On Thursday, November 17, 2011 at 7:00 pm the Transition Ferndale Third Thursday Video at The Ferndale Public Library (222 E. 9 Mile) will be Growthbusters, a documentary about Dave Gardner’s campaign for city council as a candidate opposed to furthering growth.

He ran this campaign in Colorado Springs, Colorado and, while he did not win a seat on city council, he did get over 40% of the votes cast. This is not bad for an underfinanced effort against one of the dominant principles of American politics at all levels; specifically, that economic and population growth is the only possible future and one that should be facilitated by all levels of government.

Dave pokes some fun at the idea, sometimes appearing in a “Ghostbusters” sort of outfit relabeled as “Growthbusters,” distributing “Endangered Species Condoms” and trying to place a phone call to the Pope, along with other bits of foolishness.

He also pokes a good deal of seriousness at the issue, including interviews with people who understand that economic growth has been harmful in terms of climate change, pollution, overpopulation and resource depletion. Several of these people introduce the idea of creating a transition to a less energy-dependent, more sustainable society – which is, of course, why Transition Ferndale is showing this film.

Growthbusters will be shown this month instead of the originally scheduled film, “Coal Country.” Please send a note to transitiontowns.oakland@gmail.com to let us know whether you would prefer “Coal Country” or “The Power of Community” for the December 15 Third Thursday video.

For more info on Transition Ferndale, go to http://transitionferndale.wordpress.com.  For other educational and social opportunities at the Ferndale Library go to http://www.ferndale.lib.mi.us. You might also be interested in our Green News or Library News pages.