Updated “Burning the Future” airing on PBS in April and May

AWARD-WINNING DOC BURNING THE FUTURE TO AIR ON PUBLIC TELEVISION AND FREE ONLINE DURING EARTH MONTH, APRIL 2012

To help raise greater awareness about the ongoing health and environmental impacts of coal, an updated version of the award-winning film Burning the Future: Coal in America will be broadcast on select PBS stations in April and May, and will be available to view free online for Earth Day weekend, April 21-22 for individuals who sign up at BurningtheFuture.com

America’s 416 remaining coal-fired power plants are a primary focus for Earth Day and Earth Month, as coal is one of the main contributors to climate change and to public health problems like asthma and mercury pollution.

Burning the Future dramatically documents the devastating ecological, social and health impact our addiction to coal has on West Virginia, where mountaintop removal mining has destroyed over 1.4 million acres of mountains and polluted the groundwater. The film profiles courageous local residents who organized to challenge the powerful coal industry and arouse the nation to coals devastating local and global costs.

Among those featured in the film is Maria Gunnoe, who won the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize for her organizing. The new, shorter 56 minute broadcast version of the film includes an updated ending highlighting some of the recent successes in the fight to move beyond coal.

Burning the Future won critical praise from the New York Times, Variety and New York Magazine, as well as over 15 awards including the prestigious Pare Lorentz Award from the International Documentary Association and the top honor from the Society of Environmental Journalists.

“We encourage people to watch the film, then go to BurningTheFuture.com to find out how to take action to stop coal plants and mountain-top removal, to connect with groups working to transition from coal to renewable energy, and to order a copy of the film to screen in your community to help mobilize greater opposition to coal,” said David Novack, the film’s producer.

For the public television schedule, to signup for free online Earth Day screenings, and for more information about the film, visit www.BurningTheFuture.com or call 1-800-475-2638.

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Trailers and clips available for promotional purposes. Please share and embed:

Film Trailer (:30)

Film Excerpt Featuring Goldman Prize Winner Maria Gunnoe (1:23)

Coal is a Public Health Issue – Short Film (6:43)

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For Press information – Steve Michelson
steve@specialtystudios.com

For Outreach/Engagement Information – Margaret Poindexter mpoindexter5300@gmail.com