OAKLAND, CA. APRIL22th, 2014 – A Native American tradition says when you take something from the Earth, you must offer something in return.
The One Billion Trees/Seeds campaign is a global “give back” to the Earth, as an offering for all the planet gives humanity. With over 500 organizations and businesses spearheading this historic effort, acclaimed artists and youth have come together to produce several viral videos for kids of all ages. The aim is to plant one billion trees and catalyze a cultural movement that addresses climate change through everyday actions for youth and families. As of April 14th, 2015, over 175,000 people have joined the Facebook event page in support of the campaign.
A recent report from UNICEF says young people around the world understand that their generation will have to suffer, pay for, and attempt to rectify the damage that is being done to the Earth by “man-fuelled” climate change. Children from around the world are powerfully expressing their fears for the future and the actions they need us all to take now.
BALANCE and the Earth Guardians global youth network are partnering with the The Master Shift, Earth Day Network and Forest Nation to deepen and extend the impact of the Earth Day launch event. BALANCE is offering their award-winning albums, educational books, and performances to families that participate in tree plantings and Earth Day activities. BALANCE has also produced two lead videos for the campaign.
The World's Wildest Evolution of Dance is a scene from the animated book, Pacha’s Pajamas: A Story Written Nature, in which nine-year old protagonist Pacha performs a tribute to the Youtube smash hit, Evolution of Dance, at the largest nature festival ever... and NO humans are invited! After doing the moonwalk, she unmasks herself in the middle of the dance and shares an inspiring message for global reforestation! Pacha is voiced by 13 year old United Nations youth ambassador, musician, and environmental activist Ta’Kaiya Blaney. Ta’Kaiya is also featured in HBO’s family film “Saving Our Tomorrow,” which will be released Earth Day 2015. Famed artist, Yasiin Bey (aka Mos Def), narrates the video and is joined by Martin Luther King Jr. impersonator, Gerald Rivers. The video is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBDHZJxFaxk.
Speak For The Trees is a live action music video starring the indigenous youth group Earth Guardians and the author of Pacha’s Pajamas, Aaron Ableman (aka A-Natural). The song’s main message is conveyed by twelve year old rapper, Itzcuauhtl, “I’m not the Lorax, but I still speak for the trees!” The video is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvo0ndNvplI.
With the growing climate crisis, children and families are facing a world of increasing uncertainty:
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88% of the existing global burden of disease due to climate change occurs in children under the age of five
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More than 600 million children live in the 10 countries most vulnerable to climate change
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Children everywhere are experiencing the growing impact of our changing climate – from droughts in the United States to changing rainy seasons in sub-Saharan Africa and an increasing number of cyclones in South East Asia
“Our Future is at stake because of our environmental and climate crises. By coming together and reforesting the Earth, we will insure a healthy planet for future generations,” says Xiuhtezcatl Martinez, 14 year old Youth Director of Earth Guardians.
Envisioned by The Master Shift executive director, Christine Segal, the One Billion Trees campaign builds upon the organization’s work producing global events that address common themes facing humanity. This year’s focus on planting gardens and trees as a climate solution is a timely message to world leaders as the UN prepares to meet in Paris this December for the 21st Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP21) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
“One Billion Trees inspires the global community to create the change we want to see in our communities. If humanity wants to have a future, we must come together, and develop creative and comprehensive solutions to climate change,” adds Aaron Ableman.
About BALANCE Edutainment
Created by seasoned entertainment/education genius Aaron Ableman and Stanford University Engineer Dave Room, BALANCE Edutainment is dedicated to bringing healthy, uplifting entertainment and technology to children across the globe. For more information, visit http://balanceedutainment.com/ and http://pachaspajamas.com
About Earth Guardians
Earth Guardians is a diverse movement of young leaders, activists, artists and musicians from across the globe stepping up as leaders and collaborating to protect the Earth.
About The Master Shift
The Master Shift organizes global synchronized meditations to uplift humanity and bring about a positive shift toward a better tomorrow. With over 1 million followers on Social Media, this organization provides a powerful influence on society.