Aquidneck Island Planning Commission Hosts Free Screening of Award-Winning Environmental Documentary

The Aquidneck Island Planning Commission (AIPC), in celebration of Earth Day, will host the Rhode Island premiere of Switch, an award-winning documentary on the world’s energy future at the Jane Pickens Theater on Monday, April 23 at 6 p.m.

The event is free, but registration is recommended through http://aipc.eventbrite.com.

Switch is co-produced and co-written by Dr. Scott Tinker, Director of the Bureau of Economic Geology, Director of the Advanced Energy Consortium and the State Geologist of Texas. Join Dr. Tinker as he visits the world’s leading energy sites, discovers the realities of energy today, investigates the challenge of transitioning to alternatives, and gets straight answers from international energy leaders. In the end, he lays out a path to our energy future that is both surprising and remarkably pragmatic. Switch was filmed in 11 countries on 26 energy sites and includes over 50 interviews from energy experts in renewables, fossil fuels, government, international companies and others.

Dr. Tinker states that “energy is in a crucial transition period. We’re beginning a shift not only to renewables, but to unconventional oil and gas from shales and sands that require hydraulic fracturing, a politically controversial issue. After Fukushima some countries are reevaluating nuclear. At the same time, global population is growing and modernizing, meaning ever-growing demand. How will we meet that and with what energy types? These are all issues we explore in Switch.” 

AIPC works to raise awareness of energy issues through the Aquidneck Island Energy Alliance, a group of public officials, non-profit leaders, energy experts, and citizens who are working together to raise awareness of energy conservation and efficiency on the island. The group works in support current energy initiatives on the island and sets new strategic directions for energy projects and policy. 

Rhode Island Wind Power and rTerra are co-sponsoring the event.