The Electronic Age - Video clips for presentations

By Mardi Neumann

Generation Z or the Digital Natives are the latest generation.  They are the link to the internet generation. As a Gen X person myself, I realise that knowledge is a good thing, yet I am increasingly suspicious that a little bit of knowledge can be a dangerous thing.

So when faced with new-age internet buzzwords like Twitter, My Space, Facebook, Google, Linkedin, YouTube and things going viral, I could shudder at the prospect of yet another learning curve.  But, as I have found, that would be to miss out on understanding how these services and internet stuff in general can make my business better.

Using social networking sites can really help with staying in touch with both personal and business contacts.  Recently, TNS New Zealand set up a group on the professional networking site Linked In for its advisors, trainee advisors and those interested in accreditation.  So far, we have 32 members in the TNS NZ group, all of whom are actively sharing experiences, resources and knowledge.  It’s a great place to ask questions and keep up with what’s happening.  It’s also a great reflection of the growing interest in TNS NZ.

I’m not a huge fan of reinventing the wheel so when I wanted to find some short punchy videos to include in my own presentations, I posted a video I liked on the Linked In group and asked if anyone knew of any other great examples to add to my collection.  The response was amazing, as you’ll see below.  And, now that YouTube and other videos on the internet can be downloaded onto your computer, it’s easy to have an array of videos to show at presentations even without an internet connection. It’s free, legal and safe – just search the internet for DownloadHelper, You Tube Downloader or similar free software services, and you’ll be well on your way.

Here’s a quick look at some of the videos that I have collected that you’ll find on YouTube:

• The Natural Step Framework explained in 2 minutes (2 mins 1 sec)   - a wonderful two minute overview of the Natural Step framework developed by Real Eyes in Ireland in partnership with TNS international
• The Great Squeeze (2mins 57) – the perfect complement to the Natural Step’s funnel model, this video provides a graphic impression of the pressures mounting from our global unsustainability
• The Wombat – All is One (1 min 3 sec) – a good fun animated video that really makes the point that everything is connected – even Tacos!
• TNS for four year olds (3 mins 12 sec) – not necessarily for 4 year olds – but a very easy overview of the science underpinning the Natural Step framework and the system conditions for a sustainable future
• Greenhouse effect, easy to understand (1 min 25 sec) – a quick and easy way to understand how the greenhouse effect works
• Canada’s – Take the Natural Step (1 min 43 sec) – a short introduction to what TNS Canada is up to
• Teach kids sustainability: What does it mean to be green? (1 min 48 sec) – a simple guide to what kids can do to be more sustainable
• Lost Generation (1 min 44 sec) – a very clever clip that says one thing forwards, and a totally different one when played backwards.  Watch it and see for yourself!

 And for some slightly longer ones:

• The Most Terrifying Video You’ll Ever See – (9 mins 33 sec) – a very clever clip about why doing nothing about climate change is not an option.  This a great one for climate change deniers.
• Population Explosion (6 mins 31 sec) – (The next most terrifying video you'll ever see) a vivid demonstration of the exponential population growth that has changed the face of the Earth.  A real eye-opener!
• Canada’s – Take the Natural Step – longer version (7 min 33 sec) – an in depth look at all the great stuff that TNS Canada is up to
• World Population (7 min 32 sec) – another video demonstrating the speed of population growth and the inevitable challenge for humankind
• Cheat Neutral (12 mins 43 sec) – watch and laugh.  These English guys make carbon offsetting sexy, and pose the question whether offsetting makes any real difference.

The Natural Step has its own You Tube channel, which is packed full of TNS related videos. There’s also a range of great videos on the Towards2060 website developed by Manukau City Council (see related article in this newsletter).

There are heaps of really useful videos out there - you just need to know where to look.  So if you are all a flummoxed, do a Google search on any given topic and you can be assured to have so many choices it will become confusing, so there is nothing else to do but grab a cuppa and watch them to see if they are what you are looking for.