The Story of Stuff on http://www.storyofstuff.com/, is a profound statement on the urgence of a more sustainable approach to consumption patterns. The makers themselves describe it as:
"A provocative tour of our consumer-driven culture - from resource extraction to iPod incineration - exposing the real costs of our use-it and lose-it approach to stuff. It exposes the connections between a huge number of environmental and social issues, and calls us together to create a more sustainable and just world. It'll teach you something, it'll make you laugh, and it just may change the way you look at all the stuff in your life forever."

Though the entire video is 20 minutes, I can guarantee you a number of thought-provoking statements will come up. You can also view selective parts of the movie; to me the 'Consumption' (and of course, the concluding 'Another Way') part was the most interesting one. I'd love to know your opinion on it, so if you find the time to take a look, please let me know! Embedded you'll find a short 'teaser' to 'The Story of Stuff':

The Elders can speak freely and boldly, working both publicly and behind the scenes on whatever actions need to be taken. Together we will work to support courage where there is fear, foster agreement where there is conflict, and inspire hope where there is despair.
Nelson Mandela

July of this year, a promising initiative was launched: the Global Elders (read more about it here). A group of world leaders, with (amongst others) Nelson Mandela, Jimmy Carter, Desmond Tutu, Kofi Annan, Muhammad Yunus, Mary Robinson and Aung San Suu Kyi. Do check out their recently launched website to read their inspiring quotes, biographies and to sign up for their newsletter!

To begin the 60th anniversary year of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), The Elders and partners today launched the Every Human has Rights campaign to empower global citizens to protect the first-ever comprehensive agreement on human rights among nations. Their request is the following:

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Welcome.
2008 is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 60th anniversary.

It‘s a time for a global conversation about human rights.
To consider the values that unite us as one human family, and one global village. But it can be more.

For the last 60 years it‘s been governments that have been asked to sign the Universal Declaration. We hope that 2008 can be the year that individuals, not just governments, sign the declaration.

We‘re hoping for one billion signatures from across the world.
We want yours to be one of them.

We urge you to embrace the values and goals of the declaration.
To protect the rights of your fellow global villagers. And encourage others to do the same in your communities, workplaces and schools.

Please sign the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Make your personal pledge to live your life by its principles. Every human has rights.

The Elders

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You can find the complete Universal Declaration of Human Rights here.