December 03, 2007

For Immediate Release

Contact: Roy Speckhardt (202) 238-9088, or (703) 314-7008
rspeckhardt@americanhumanist.org - www.americanhumanist.org

(Washington, D.C.) Biodiesel--no war required.

That's the message that Josh Tickell wants you to hear through his new documentary film "Fields of Fuel." You may not recognize Tickell's name, but you'd recognize his "Veggie Van." Tickell is "that guy," the guy who drove across America in a Winnebago fueled solely through used cooking oil from fast food restaurants. And Tickell wants you to know that you could soon do the same.

"'Fields of Fuel' is an immensely important film," said Roy Speckhardt, executive director of the American Humanist Association. "Our nation is saddled with dependence on oil, soaring gas prices, and a looming environmental crisis. And equally if not more devastating, our dependence on oil has spurred violence and war across the world. Yet we've been without a frank national debate about alternative fuel resources in this country. But this film fills that void."

The American Humanist Association today announced its role as a partner and fiscal sponsor of "Fields of Fuel," which will premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, this January. "Fields of Fuel" chronicles one man's search for an alternative to America's dependence on foreign oil--how we got into this mess but also how we might get out.

"'Fields of Fuel' is important in its focus on biodiesel as the primary alternative to oil," said Speckhardt. "Discussions about alternative fuel resources generally focus around ethanol, which is made from corn. But ethanol isn't efficient in that it uses up valuable farmland that we need for food. But discarded cooking oil from McDonalds? Other discarded oils? Oil for farms of algae? Tickell shows that this is not only possible but makes good sense."

"Fields of Fuel" is a 90 minute documentary that was filmed over the past 12 years in 5 countries by a team of scientists and filmmakers lead by Tickell, who is an alternative energy activist and humanist. The film explores fossil fuel production and its impacts and provides innovative, ethical and practical solutions. Most importantly, it empowers individuals to change their own energy use as well as the energy use of their communities.

The film will be seen in theaters across the nation. A seven-month-long 50-city Community Action Campaign will bring the film to theaters, town halls, events and schools across the country, accompanied by a professional staff of scientists and educators. "Fields of Fuel" is one of only 15 documentary films that were accepted for the 2008 Sundance Film Festival. 3,000 films were submitted to the Festival this year.

To learn more about the project, watch the trailer, visit its website at www.fieldsoffuel.com, or to donate, please use the button below.

The American Humanist Association (www.americanhumanist.org) advocates for the rights and viewpoints of humanists. Founded in 1941 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., its work is extended through more than 100 local chapters and affiliates across America.

Humanism is a progressive philosophy of life that, without theism, affirms our responsibility to lead ethical lives of value to self and humanity.