Josh Tickell
New American ‘climate hero’ Josh Tickell comes to Amsterdam
AMSTERDAM – Al Gore is yesterday’s news. America’s new ‘climate hero’ has arrived: Josh Tickell! Josh Tickell’s new film “Fuel” is about America’s dependence on oil and finding sustainable fuel alternatives.
The film has already won the prestigious Sundance Film Festival 2008 - Best Documentary Audience Award. It has stirred a lot of debate in America and is tipped to be the next big film about the environment.
Josh Tickell will be in Amsterdam to promote the Fuel film at the International Documentary Festival (IDFA) between 20 – 30 November. We’re in touch with Josh and his team so watch this space for updates nearer the time.
In the Fuel film, Josh Tickell looks for alternative fuels and criticises the ‘American hunger for oil’. It all started in 1997 when Tickell travelled through North America with his ‘veggie van’, a colourful bus that runs on kitchen fat (mainly supplied from fast food restaurants along his route). Far from being just a gimmick, Tickell’s ‘veggie van’ was a serious protest against the polluting oil industry.
Josh Tickell grew up in Australia were he enjoyed the space and nature. But, soon after his family relocated to Louisiana in America, his Mother began to suffer from the poor air quality there. Tickell tells us that the biggest oil companies are based in Louisiana and the state is nicknamed ‘cancer valley.’
Frustrated about the polluting oil industry, Tickell started to learn about alternative fuels. He became a true expert in sustainable fuels, biodiesel in particular.
In his Fuel film Tickell shows how you can make biodiesel out of corn, soy, certain types of grass and even algae. He also claims that Mr. Diesel (the inventor of the diesel motor) invented biodiesel a long time ago. But, according to Tickell, Mr Diesel’s plans were sabotaged by the then influential people in the oil-industry.
There’s no shortage of controversial issues raised in the Fuel film. Our recommendation is to check it out.
