Bothered by My Green Conscience Book Launch Events in TO
What’s bothering your green conscience?
Toronto ON., July 7, 2009 – On July 18th, ROOTS Canada invites the public to hear artist Franke James discuss her new illustrated book, Bothered by My Green Conscience, and get inspired to ‘do the hardest thing first’ for the planet.
“Most people don’t think of themselves as ‘environmentalists’ and yet almost everyone has a green conscience that bothers them on a daily basis,” James says. “That little voice saying, ‘Oh, I shouldn’t throw that in the trash, it goes in recycling…’ Realistically, some of us will throw it in the trash anyway, but the conflict rages in our head. We know that climate change is a big problem, but we feel powerless.” James says it’s time to raise the bar — to do more than just change a light bulb. “Listen to your green conscience, then choose to do something ambitious that will have a real impact in your life. I call it ‘doing the hardest thing first.’ Because it’s far more satisfying (and fun) to do something that is making a difference.”
Bothered by My Green Conscience: How an SUV-driving, imported-strawberry-eating urban dweller can go green
Book Event & Exhibit:
Franke James will read a visual essay from her book, and talk about our “green conscience.” Illustrations from her book will be on display.
INVITATIONS:
July 14th Book Launch Party:
Invitation: https://www.frankejames.com/debate/?page_id=931
Date: Tuesday July 14th from 6-8pm
Location:ROOTS 100 Bloor Street West, Toronto, Ontario.
RSVP: Please RSVP for the July 14th event. Kelly Drennan at 416-458-1491 or kelly@thirdeyemedia.ca or Franke James at 416.256.9166 or franke@frankejames.com
July 18th Public Event:
Invitation: https://www.frankejames.com/debate/?p=930
Date: 3pm Saturday, July 18th
Location:ROOTS 100 Bloor Street West, Toronto, Ontario.
Bothered by My Green Conscience is the story of Franke James true-life adventures in going green. It includes the story of her selling the family’s only car (an SUV) and the reactions of her family (her brother-in-law called her a ‘tree-hugging whack job!’); winning approval from Toronto City Hall for the right to build a green driveway (and actually building it as a long weekend DIY project); rediscovering eccentric glamour in her own closet; understanding the real poop on social change; and also writing a visual letter to her future Grandkids in 2020 as she wonders how they will judge us.
“What I like most about Franke’s approach is that she’s not really that radical, and isn’t preachy about the changes she’s making in her life. She readily acknowledges she’s not perfect, she’s just someone who started to listen to their “green conscience” and acted accordingly. I take to heart her advice for anyone who wants to make a change in their lives but feels overwhelmed by where to start: ‘Do the hardest thing first’.” Anil Kanji, Greenpeace Canada
“Franke James totally gets it! GREEN and GROOVY are not mutually exclusive. Glamorous eccentrics care about the planet…” Simon Doonan, author of Eccentric Glamour
Franke James is an artist and writer focused on the environment. James’ visual essays have been featured in major Canadian newspapers, and online sites such as Treehugger. James has an MFA from University of Victoria and a BFA from Mount Allison. She lives in Toronto. See book reviews.
ROOTS is Canada’s leading lifestyle brand known around the world for its quality leather goods, apparel, accessories and home furnishings. Green is more than just the official colour of Roots. It also reflects the company’s longtime environmental commitment, which includes making sustainable products; using recycled, reclaimed and non-toxic materials in the building of stores; supporting various environmental organizations and related projects.
Bothered By My Green Conscience by Franke James;
Released 04.09 – $16.95, New Society Publishers
To book an interview with Franke James contact Kelly Drennan at 416-458-1491 or kelly@thirdeyemedia.ca