Fuel. It's what drives us. Director and activist, Josh Tickell takes this overarching commodity and examines its place in our world in his documentary, FUEL. Right off the bat, let me say that you need to watch this. By intertwining pieces of his past into the thread of the film, Josh succeeds in creating a compelling story which underscores the fact that America is dependent on oil and that now is the time to make a change. How did America get here? How efficient is algae biodiesel? How are fuel and food connected? Watch the film!

I was able to chat with Josh and Rebecca Harrell, FUEL's Producer and Director of Marketing, after a screening last night. Although they've been traveling nonstop to promote their work in empowering, or "repowering," America to switch over from dirty fuels to alternative, sustainable biofuels, their energy and passion for spreading their message was contagious.

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Thanks for making the time to join our screening. You guys just got into NYC from LA?
JT: Yeah, we had the Go Green Expo screening last week with Peter Fonda and Mariel Hemmingway. It's so interesting feeling the different movement and energy here on the east coast, especially today after Obama's call to raise national fuel efficiency standards.

Tell me more about one of your new projects, the Big Green Energy Bus.
RH: It's aimed to educate students from grade school through high school. The learning stations include solar panels, a biodiesel generator, a greywater recycling system, an algae display, lots of information on energy efficiency. You can plug it in and even plug things into it!

Wow, what does that mean?
JT: Well, it runs on solar power and biodiesel. The idea is to take the bus around to public schools - grade schools, high schools - during the day and then have the bus at college events at night. The solar panels on the bus can generate the energy to power a sound stage for a concert. It's a grassroots action campaign to educate young people.

Do you drink biodiesel whenever you get the chance? You taste a lot of that stuff in the film.
JT: [laughing] No, I don't, but it says a lot if I'm able to do that. If I can taste the biodiesel, it shows that it's biologically compatible with the body, and in turn biologically compatible with the atmosphere.

The film has its UN screening in a couple of days. How is the preparation coming along?
JT: We've been preparing for that for two months now. It's part of our global program. The focus is for 2010 to be our global year where we'll have international screenings for ambassadors around the world. We're hoping to meet with those individuals who are interested in starting up green initiatives.

Through your film, simply stated, what are you working towards?
RH: Clean air, drinking water, free energy and free food for everyone on the planet.

How about three words that drive you.
RH: Sustainability, inspiration, peace. Josh and I just don't give up. That's the biggest failure of the environmental movement. People are hung up on this world of fear, but there's too much at stake.
JT: We want to stress giving people power in choices. We want them to make the commitment to themselves and the environment.

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The graphics are fresh, the music is upbeat (Rebecca even composes & sings one of her own!), and the film's guests include scientists, politicians, Woody Harrelson and Robert Kennedy, Jr. Even Sundance has given its seal of approval. Be sure to check in on the film's calendar for screenings across the country. Want to do something today? Check out the Top Ten Things You Can Do Now.

(Image: flickr / beccaharrell)