Fuel / In a time when there are waiting lists for Priuses and birthday gifts in the form of carbon offsets, any discussion of fuel has dark–even ominous–overtones. So, when Fuel is the title of a documentary, one expects a bleak, disturbing (remember the frog in An Inconvenient Truth?) and guilt-tripping film about how we continue to mistreat our planet. Except Fuel doesn’t really do that; in fact, it doesn’t do that at all. Fuel is about solutions.

“An Inconvenient Truth shows the problems,” said director Josh Tickell, when asked how he would compare his own film with Al Gore’s now-legendary documentary. “Fuel shows the solutions.” And the film’s solutions seek to empower viewers, to give them ideas and a constructive, positive dose of reality. The film has been applauded in the media and among both environmental gurus and Hollywood celebrities for its uplifting message. It has won numerous awards, including the 2008 Sundance Audience Award. Fuel highlights the U.S. addiction to and dependency on oil and aims to inspire its viewers to look toward other, more sustainable energy sources. Tickell carefully sketches the solutions to changing our relationship with oil and demonstrates that innovation and resilience can be a part of our environmental future. Fuel avoids playing the blame game, and instead opts to concentrate its energy (no pun intended) on looking forward. “We need access to information, a shift in perspective,” Tickell said. “Fuel fills in the blanks.” And, with a mixture of reputedly impressive animation, a sizable lineup of familiar faces (Julia Roberts, Sheryl Crow, Neil Young and more) and the necessary cold, hard facts, Tickell’s documentary confidently addresses one of today’s most focal crises.

It’s a crisis that is somewhat magnified here in Hawaii, where we have felt increasingly guilty of our dependence on foreign fossil fuel. Considering the pride we take in what seems like an inherent environmentalism and a special relationship with the ‘aina, it feels paradoxical that we get a bigger proportion of our energy from fossil fuel than any other state in the country. Both grassroots notables and international powerhouses have taken the lead in alleviating Hawaii’s reliance on fuel, but many of us feel a little hopeless and can’t help but wondering, “How do we even begin to clean up this mess?”

“It’s very ironic,” noted Tickell. But he also stressed that when what he calls Hawaii’s “naturalistic sentiment” is fully exploited, it could put us at the head of the environmental game–especially when it comes to algae.

Tickell is a huge advocate of the microorganism, which stars in Fuel (and also happens to thrive in Hawaii).

“The potential for algae as a renewable resource in Hawaii is huge,” he said. Thankfully, algae biofuel research is in the works here in the state, and Tickell intends to work with algae scientists when he visits Hawaii for his film’s screening.

Green Earth Media hosts the Oahu premiere and, true to form, it will be making the entire event as sustainable as possible. That means carbon offsets, recycled paper for the program guide, sustainable vendors before the screening and, yes, promoting carpools and public transportation. Attendees are also encouraged to bring old telephone books and glossy magazines for recycling. There’ll even be a VIP after party at Chef Ed Kenney’s restaurant, Downtown. But more than anything, Tickell is excited for the Q&A session after the showing, which he likens to “a green town hall meeting.”

Considering Fuel’s emphasis on the “next steps” and its mission to encourage individuals to take the reins in moving toward complete self-sufficiency, a subsequent public exchange of ideas is perhaps imperative. “Come to the movie to talk with your community,” he urges. “It’s the community experience that’s important.”

Fuel interview

Environmental Reporter Pablo Pereira of KNBC TV Los Angeles talks to the director of “FUEL” Josh Tickell.

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