From Avatar to Amazon - Cameron's Crusade

[Tree of Souls]

A couple of interesting articles of James in the Amazon - great pics of him with the tribe - he has painted his face!

http://www.avatar-forums.com/images/extras/not-available.gif


“Avatar” — and its nearly $2.7 billion in global tickets sales — has changed all that, flooding Mr. Cameron with kudos for helping to “emotionalize” environmental issues and pleas to get more involved.

Now, Mr. Cameron said, he has been spurred to action, to speak out against the looming environmental destruction endangering indigenous groups around the world — a cause that is fueling his inner rage and inspiring his work on an “Avatar” sequel.

“Any direct experience that I have with indigenous peoples and their plights may feed into the nature of the story I choose to tell,” he said. “In fact, it almost certainly will.” Referring to his Amazon trip, he added, “It just makes me madder.”



From ‘Avatar’ to Amazon - James Cameron’s Crusade - NYTimes.com (http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/11/world/americas/11brazil.html?src=me)

James Cameron goes into bat for the Amazon - Story - World - 3 News (http://www.3news.co.nz/James-Cameron-goes-into-bat-for-the-Amazon/tabid/417/articleID/150655/Default.aspx)

[CyanRachel]

Way to go, JC! I think it's awesome, and I like that tribal face paint he's wearing too.

[madman]

awesome... he truly has inspired me through his work on Avatar. Can't wait to see what he does in Avatar 2

[Kaname]

This is awesome, I say keep it up!

[Jacob]

I think it's great if JC can use the fame he has (from Avatar and his other movies) to make a positive difference in the real world. I hope he will continue.

[Dreaming Of Pandora]

That's an awesome picture! Just shows JC's devotion in helping the environment.

[Hometree]

way to go JC!

[madman]

JC is an amazing person that's for sure. I don't hink I've ever respected someone in the public limelight so much. Actually I know I haven't. I know I can not ever have an impact like he has on teaching others the way, but I most certainly will give it my best effort. All because of his beloved 10+ year project, Avatar.

[Steve94]

Cameron, Weaver protest against Amazon dam (http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/environment/conservation/cameron-weaver-protest-against-amazon-dam-20100413-s6w9.html) April 13, 2010



Cameron and actress Sigourney Weaver are in Brazil to protest against a proposed dam in the Amazon that would be the world's third-largest hydroelectric project.
The Hollywood celebrities joined about 1000 demonstrators in Brasilia's streets on Monday as they urged the government to halt the planned Belo Monte project.

Well, we know she came to help support Cameron in his protest. :nsmile:

[Woodsprite]

This is... kind of stupid. What exactly is wrong with building a dam? Even some of the co-founders of Greenpeace abandoned the idea of the Amazon's "immenent destruction" long ago. It's just sad to see people still believe this kind of stuff, and going out of his way to paint his face as well? Geez... What a nut.

But Avatar still rocks. ;)

[brianct]

This is... kind of stupid. What exactly is wrong with building a dam? Even some of the co-founders of Greenpeace abandoned the idea of the Amazon's "immenent destruction" long ago. It's just sad to see people still believe this kind of stuff, and going out of his way to paint his face as well? Geez... What a nut.

But Avatar still rocks. ;)

How can AVATAR 'rock' when you didnt get the message?..Yes you are kind of stupid..but that may be natural. The people whose lives and livelihoods are threatened by that dam are in a better position to evaluate its threat than you are. They would say you are being stupid...and ignorant of the threat they face
What cofounders are you referrning to? care to name them?
I believe in the same sort of 'stuff'' Cameron believes in...but then i also got AVATARs message.

A wood sprite you are not...to label yourself as one is kind of stupid.

[black_mesa]

Here is nothing to believe in. Its not some Eywa or Gaya so it could be believed. Its human life, forest, eco system and whatelse. JC, in his letter, pointed that the dam is not only inneficent but not-going-to-work-for-people (Also, there has been suggestions made for alternative energy). Hoax, u may say. Well, so many things are done in shadow, that i'd rather believe in such hoax's.

Only and only you can applaud for JC for this initiative (oh hell, even if it was only for attention and egoistic desire to improve Avatar 2). He kinda has power in his hands now (lets assume that auction will take place [which it will] and then milions of Avatarians all over the world will join to stop it from being built :D). I hope so.

P.S. i rly wanna believe his intentions are honest and pure and not only Avatar thingie

[Kaname]

This is... kind of stupid. What exactly is wrong with building a dam? Even some of the co-founders of Greenpeace abandoned the idea of the Amazon's "immenent destruction" long ago. It's just sad to see people still believe this kind of stuff, and going out of his way to paint his face as well? Geez... What a nut.

But Avatar still rocks. ;)
Building a dam makes it very hard for fish to reproduce, since they are disturbed in their natural habitat. Fish is a very important food source, so maybe that would be a legitimate reason why not to?

[Woodsprite]

How can AVATAR 'rock' when you didnt get the message?..Yes you are kind of stupid..but that may be natural. The people whose lives and livelihoods are threatened by that dam are in a better position to evaluate its threat than you are. They would say you are being stupid...and ignorant of the threat they face
What cofounders are you referrning to? care to name them?
I believe in the same sort of 'stuff'' Cameron believes in...but then i also got AVATARs message.

A wood sprite you are not...to label yourself as one is kind of stupid.
I'd appreciate it if you didn't use such words as "stupid"; it just shows your lack for anything better to say.

How exactly does this dam affect the "livelihoods" of the natives living there? It's a hydraulic project on the Amazon River. Cameron's just going out and playing indian to project his point about "environmental destruction"; the dam isn't doing anything to hinder the natives' way of life.

The co-founder in particular I refer to is Patrick Moore. Of the many, many times he's discredited his own theory, "All these save-the-forests arguments are based on bad science," in an interview from a documentary, Clear-Cutting the Myths. Here we've got one of the founders of Greenpeace, who co-invented the Amazon crisis idea back in the 80s. There are many other scientists who've discredited this Amazon thing countless times with smoking gun evidence. Robin Chazdon is one Science Mag. contributer: "You can find species that will show increased growth and increased population as a result of logging." Examples abound from this statement, like in Western Brazil, 1982, when miners cleared a massive land tract area. They finished their work and hired scientists to reforest. Studies as of today show the area to be "virtually indistinguishable from its original form," and "Ninety-five percent of the original animal species have returned..."

The Amazon has had only 17% deforested as of 2009, according to the study by Brazil's INPE. I mean, they can see everything. You've got one of their researchers Claudio Almeida looking at satelite images and 20% of the deforested areas were "overgrown with vegetation" over the course of a few years. These are satelite images from last year. I've done the research on this. Don't test me.

As for Avatar's primary message, I got it, understood it... and promptly ignored it. The reason I like Avatar is for its wonderful love story, the action, the plot, the visuals, and the drama. That's what changed my outlook. As far as the environmental message, I could care less. It's hogwash as far as I'm concerned. I call myself "Woodsprite" because it's a catchy, fine handle to name myself. Plus, I enjoyed the stoical nature of its discernment. Whether you like it or not is your problem, not mine.

As for Cameron himself, yes, I do believe he's doing what he's doing because he believes in it.... which is why I think he's a nut. He's already admitted to supporting eco-terrorism, and he's quoted as saying he wish he could come out "at high noon" and "shoot" all who don't agree with the environmentalists: what a peaceful, wonderful man. Right...

As far as his storytelling ability goes, I love him. As far as his views go, I think he's crazy. That's all.


Building a dam makes it very hard for fish to reproduce, since they are disturbed in their natural habitat. Fish is a very important food source, so maybe that would be a legitimate reason why not to?
I think you're thinking of the salmon's natural journey it takes up the river, but salmon aren't too common in South America.

[Kaname]

I think you're thinking of the salmon's natural journey it takes up the river, but salmon aren't too common in South America.
Well, actually yes, that was the first thing to come to mind. However, don't you think that it still will disrupt the fishes natural habitat?

[Woodsprite]

Well, actually yes, that was the first thing to come to mind. However, don't you think that it still will disrupt the fishes natural habitat?
Maybe, maybe not. I wouldn't know. But we're talking about the living conditions of the natives and their way of life. Maybe the fish in that area would have a harder time getting along, but if this whole protest is about fish's rights, then it isn't much of an argument to give, considering the majority of Americans approve the Hoover Dam, which probably posed the same problem for some fishes there. However, they adapted, and I'm positive the fish in the area where the dam will be built will also adapt.

If we're talking about fishes, yes, I agree there'd be a problem. But if we're talking about natives living in the area, I don't agree. They live off more than just fish, and we don't really know the conditions surrounding the fish anyway. The dam exists in one area; their kind will survive. Plus, it's a project that would benefit millions of Brazilian citizens with the power it'll provide. What's even greater is the fact that it's totally hydraulic, and does hardly anything to affect the environment. No pollution.

So my question to Mr. Cameron is: what's the point? If it isn't affecting the environment or the natives (primarily), why are you protesting? He's putting money into a cause that isn't really much of a cause. Nothing's being done to harm the environment with this project, he's just making publicity by going out into the wild, painting himself, and doing war dances with natives just to show that he cares, not because it's actually beneficial to anyone's gain. That's what I'm against. If he was protesting something like the destruction of a tribe to built a corporate complex in the area, I'd agree: good job Mr. Cameron! But that isn't what he's doing. No one's being threatened by this dam.

[GERTY]

I want Werner Herzog to do a documentary on Cameron and his adventures in the Amazon.

[Steve94]

This is... kind of stupid. What exactly is wrong with building a dam? Even some of the co-founders of Greenpeace abandoned the idea of the Amazon's "immenent destruction" long ago. It's just sad to see people still believe this kind of stuff, and going out of his way to paint his face as well? Geez... What a nut. But Avatar still rocks. ;)
Directly quoted from the first article audio clip (http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/04/11/world/americas/20100411-brazil-cameron-amazon/index.html?ref=americas#): (From -2:05)

The dam would flood an area twice the size the city of Boston and dry out another 100km stretch of the river, devastating indegenous communities.
Along with the fish, parts of the river would dry out, forcing many tribes to move to somewhere else near the river, while flooding many other tribes out of their homes. The equivalent would be living in a drought with the closest river 50+ miles away or being flooded out of your house.

(Why is your name Woodsprite if you do not see?)