ABOUT THE ISSUE
Climate change is the “defining issue of our era,” according U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki Moon. But the question of how to slow global warming has stymied the international community and no consensus has emerged.
The Kyoto Protocol, which was adopted in 1997, set targets for the reduction of greenhouse gases that cause global warming. To date, 182 countries have agreed to the terms — the U.S. is not one of them.
One of the primary mechanisms for reducing carbon pollution is a system of emissions trading. Countries that have signed the treaty are entitled to an assigned amount of emissions, and if they manage to use less, they can sell the excess to countries that have surpassed their limit on the new carbon market.
ABOUT THE FILM
Every hour in Indonesian rainforests, an area the size of 300 soccer fields is mowed down and burned. Often this clearing is done to make way for oil palm plantations. The resulting palm oil is used for cooking, cleaning and even as a biofuel. But the fires farmers set to clear their land have helped to make Indonesia the world’s third-largest emitter of carbon dioxide — exceeded only by the U.S. and China.
A 29-year-old Australian “green” entrepreneur named Dorjee Sun believes he has a solution to reduce those harmful greenhouse gas emissions. He has canvassed the world pitching the sale of Indonesia’s carbon credits to polluters in the West.
His business model would maintain the standing swaths of Indonesia’s rainforests by selling their carbon credits. Burning Season follows Dorjee Sun on a whirlwind trip into boardrooms around the world – from Starbucks to eBay to Merrill Lynch – as he tries to convince skeptical financiers that his proposal is viable.
To carry out his plan, local political leaders in Indonesia must also agree that their forests are worth more alive than dead. Small farmers like Achmadi, who makes a living by cutting down trees to plant oil palms, fear the layers of government officials will be the only profiteers from the carbon credit sale.
Burning Season kindles both sides of the climate divide and explores whether capitalism can step in where altruism has so far failed to succeed.
It will be a hard thing to do to save the forest and jungles in Indonesia. More than 50 percent of the population are farmers. Even 4 year degree college graduates some end up to be a taxi driver in Indonesia. Things so sad. Indonesia is the biggest Muslim country in the world. it have different types of Muslim, often they fight with each other. The government are corrupt that is one of the reason why the nation is poor. The farmers will do anything to get money to live their life. Thanks for trying to save the forest.
This was so inspiring and sad and i hope this is the first step towards a greener way to economic sustainability for countries all around the world
Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! The show inspires us to continue to work against all the odds as wisdom, justice and compassion may indeed show through for the earth and all it’s inhabitants.
What a brilliant and fresh new take on conservation. The program was definitely inspiring and has obviously moved people around the world. It was heartbreaking to watch Dorjee pitch the plan over and over with no takers. Dorjee is definitely on the right path to enlightenment. Such a fresh and innovative plan to finally make a difference in an area that has been lacking concern. The new face, capitalist with an environmental twist/motive. Wow, I can not wait to see the environmental fever catch. A million Thank You’s to you, Dorjee and those that have supported you. You definitely have lots of love in El Paso, Texas, I cant wait to help somehow! Also, Thank you to PBS for the motivating programming.
Thank you Dorjee for your incredible work.
Great job! Dorjee Sun and thanks for PBS for broadcasting this documentary.
I have 3 FULL pages of notes (legal pad!) I copiously took the entire time I was watching “The Burning Season”. I finally said to myself (after my hand started cramping.. “they’ll run it again” or “I can order a DVD of the program from PBS” and now I’m online deperatly searching for the video and AHHHHHH it’s nowhere to be found! I think there’s an AUDIO on Dorjee’s website…is that correct? I want present this to as many people as I can get to sit in front of a television, dvd player or their computer screen. I can’t think of anyone I know that wouldn’t want to SEE this information AS IT WAS PRESENTED on PBS (BLESS YOU GUYS!!!) and who wouldn’t want to be involved in SOME way. THIS is how a movement of monumental proportions gets started. Not by the government…by the PEOPLE!! It’s only after all of us have PROVEN that it’s not only the right thing…but it can be financially successful..THEN the others will want to jump on board (for whatever reason..philanthropy…guilt or financial gains…doesn’t matter..the END RESULT is what matters. GLOBAL change. this is not a dress rehearsal folks. We can’t muck this planet up..then watch a rerun on TV..see what we did wrong and start all over again. Sometimes you just don’t get a “do over” ya know?!! Dorjee..I’m 48..started my own business almost 10 years ago and I swear to you…until I saw YOUR determination to make something you believed in work..I thought I was the bomb LOL! You are a blessing to this planet. You have found your mission for mankind. Even though you made more money than you will probably ever need in your previous business…instead of sitting on your laurels and sucking down cocktails with cute little umbrella’s on the white sands of Australia for the rest of your life…you found another passion..and this one could make a “WORLD” of difference. PLEASE…contact me at mybacksplash.com and let me know how I can help. I’m traveling ALL over the United States right now doing MY business..but if I can do something to help with yours…let me at it! (I can type like a house of fire!) Everything that everyone has had to say on here about you and your work… I back 1000%. Don’t give up..you have a PURPOSE and the hearts and minds of the people are behind you!
p.s. If there is ANY way I can get a dvd or video (something VISUAL) of this presentation…PLEASE…email me! Thanks again!
Thank you PBS, Dorjee Sun, and Merryll Lynch, from the bottom of my heart. You are such good people. I get it now.
dear dorjee u rock! U and the devotees rock as i addressed the techno-preneurship and innovation graduates tonight in your presence in singapore.
Dorjee and PBS,
Excellent documentary especially moving was the part where the local farmer was rationalizing his need for money to put his daughter to school and later crying about his way of life. Dorjee know that change happens for a reason. You are inspired and passionate but listen to your mother and get more rest so you do not burnout ;-) The US will change and the global economy needs a wake up call. Keep going forward your journey is just beginning!
It was a truly inspiring and informative film. Wish I had more info about the organization/business that Dorjee Sun has launched, as I would like to see if there is something that I can do to help/participate
Burning Season was absolutely fabulous. Gives me hope we can come together and do something about global warming. Much praise for the efforts of Dorjee Sum, what a wonderful, dedicated young man. Also great to see Aaron Brown back on the air, have missed him
I too have been pitching this concept to investors for the past year and it is not easy as organizations invest in what they know, not what they don’t understand-no matter how good the financials look. However, due to efforts like Dorjee putting himself out there to the international community, it is cracking a door open that was once closed. Once the Merrill deal transpired during Bali, the concept of making the protection of standing forests financially viable while providing a valuable service to society was all over the media. This in turn educates and makes people aware of the problem and a possible solution. Kudos to Merrill for sticking their neck out and taking a leadership position in this market. However, as a project developer in this niche, I know Merrill stands to make millions so it is a win-win for them, the Indonesian people and society as a whole. Keep on going Dorjee! I applaud your efforts. We can bring economy and ecology together to solve social problems-pretty new territory indeed! Thanks for cracking open that door-lets get it wide open.
This was an incredibly eye-opening documentary and very well done. Thank you to the filmmaker Cathy Henkel for being so inspired to follow Dorjee on his remarkable journey to effect change with innovation, and to showcase the plight of the Indonesian farmers so beautifully. Thank you, as always, to PBS for airing it. I hope the reforestation managers of the world are considering the incredible NEEM tree in their efforts to provide not only a viable source of income for the farmers and their countries from the many beneficial products this tree yields, but also an easily cultivated option for helping to counteract the mounting effects of carbon emissions. This book is excellent if anyone wants to learn more: Neem: A Tree for Solving Global Problems, ISBN 0-309-04686-6. I would like to say I have nothing to gain by sharing this information other than to inspire others to look into this remarkable tree. Perhaps Don Seehusen at Global-Reforestation Initiative and others already know about it. I hope so!
A most inspiring film. If you wish to learn more about Lone Droscher Nielsen and her efforts to save the orangutans of Borneo, visit the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation at http://www.savetheorangutan.co.uk.
Dear Mr Dorjee, ypou have done a great job in Indonesia but as you know the Indonesians are very bad in treating their forests. In PNG we have the 3rd largest forests and as PNG is a Westminister system country, PNG will be more willing to adopt stringent rules on CDM etc than Indonesia. I’m still waiting to hear from you as I sent you an email today. I’m inviting you to PNG to do a presentation.
Ted
from PNG
i’m so curious with the woodcutter lifes now….
thank alot of dorgee
Isaac yes change is scary. But look at this as positive the high tax in carbon will generate new idea and new startups with low emission. And your kids and your self will breathe easy and healthy. Get control you fear and fear only fear it; learn to live in peace and harmony with your neighbor in the global villages. If you don’t do that you are the only person you will safer.
Great documentary on how money gets made out of thin air. The corrupt officials get rich, a banker buys himself another G4 jet, US government collects more taxes and Indonesian farmers keep on burning the forest because the farmer needs to feed his kids.
Way to go!!!! Such an inspiration! We need to do something.
Pretty resourceful way of extorting money out of U.S. firms. It’s sort of like selling a bottle of smoke,..or a bottle of “no smoke”.
This could very well be my own fault, but after watching this I still didn’t quite understand what exactly Sun was “selling,” how the investors would profit from it or, most importantly, how much the Indonesian people would benefit from it?