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(Photo Courtesy of Peter Cunningham)
Recent studies by neurologists and others suggest a serious disconnect between the broad scientific consensus around climate change and the public's perception of the problem. (See fellow ITP Grant Partner Nicole Heller's work.) The accumulating weight of the data seems to have little impact corollary with the public's acceptance of the findings.

What we have hoped to do with our ITP project is to find new methods for delivering the news.  We supplement traditional story-telling strategies with a new multi-layered language of visual imagery, associative lyrics and journalism.  We aim to lure the audience into an emotional response with free association and humor, then appeal to their sense of logic.
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As I was bundling up some of the season's highlights of our ITP collaboration yesterday, I came across a resonant article titled "Are You Humbitious Enough To Lead?"  Humbitious being defined as an approach to leadership with equal parts humility and ambition.  Sitting at 400 parts per million of carbon dioxide emissions in our air for the first time in human history, we need both great gads of ambition and a large dose of humility to address our climate crisis. 
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When Maggie Kaplan (the Founder and Executive Director of Invoking the Pause) and I discussed the possibility that I create an app about Climate Change for my ITP "Seeding Possibilities" second grant, I saw an opportunity for synergy -- synergy between the community I lived with during my Pause and the opportunity to express and explore the impact of Climate Change in a novel way using an iPhone or iPad as a platform.  We were thrilled to be given the opportunity to develop this project. 

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Maria Shriver's recent remarks at the USC Annenberg School Commencement ceremony gives the Class of 2013 reasons to appreciate the 'Power of the Pause'.  Read the entire speech here. 

The process of bringing The Organic Life to light has been long, arduous and sometimes monotonous, but in that sense, it’s not unlike the process of organic farming, which it seeks to reveal. Our farmers start out with a seed – or, in my case, a simple idea – which they plant and cultivate, caring for it with water, compost and sun. However, despite their best efforts to nurture this plant, its success is ultimately dependent on so many factors, natural elements, over which they have no control. » Read More

By Maggie Kaplan -

Conversing with a former 2009-2011 ITP Grant Partner (GP) recently, she told me how the Pause's power -- even more than a year "post pause" -- percolated through many aspects of her life.  It got me wondering how the "post pause" has impacted others…. 

So, we are initiating new, more personal blogposts from former GPs with reflections upon their lives and the Pause's impact.  They may take the form of a blog, photo essay, drawings, short film, or even an interview between GPs—audio, written or otherwise.  Given the creativity of our GPs, there are many possibilities! 

To read the inaugural post by Gabriela Denise Frank, one of the CityLab7, who received their initial ITP grant in 2009, and future Partners "Post Pause" submissions, please look for this 'pause heart' icon.

This is too much fun, I worried on the second night of  The Pause.

Intro from Hidden City Diaries - Essays from Life by Gabriela Denise Frank.  A few weeks ago, I spoke with Maggie Kaplan, founder of Invoking the Pause, the environmental small grants program that funded my CityLab7 partners and I in the ideation and development of our urban mushroom farm.

It's been a year since our installation closed, marking the end of a long-term project fed by buckets of sweat equity and three grants. » Read More

Invoking the Pause recently had the chance to talk with 2012 ITP Grant Partner and "Seeding Possibilities" grant recipient, Trathen Heckman.  Trathen is the founder and Executive Director of Daily Acts, the Board President of Transition U.S., and a backyard farmer. To register for Daily Acts 350 Home & Garden Challenge please click here.
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