Documentary Screening: Saving Walden's World

Join and our Climate Justice team and Activist San Diego for a special documentary screening of Saving Walden’s World, followed by a community gathering exploring sustainability, global equity, and social change.

Event Details

• Date: Friday, October 2
• Time: 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
• Location: Bard Hall at First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego  (4190 Front St 92103)
• Co-Presenters: Activist San Diego & the Climate Justice Team of First UU Church
• Registration: Free and open to the public. Please reserve your spot.

About the Film
When a young arms dealer realizes the devastating impact of his work on vulnerable communities, an ethical crisis sparks a lifelong quest for redemption. Saving Walden’s World traces director Jim Merkel’s journey as he raises his son, Walden, on an off-grid homestead and sets out to answer a vital question: Could the very societies targeted by his former industry hold the key to a sustainable planet?

The film travels to societies in Kerala (India), Cuba, and Slovenia, where powerful women are reshaping society to prioritize human well-being. Far from wealthy utopias, these regions offer access to free college education, universal healthcare, dental care, maternity leave, and childcare—essential services that remain out of reach for many in blue-collar America. In a world facing soaring global temperatures, Saving Walden's World offers an inspiring, practical vision for living sustainably on a finite planet.

About the Director
Jim Merkel is an engineer, filmmaker, and environmental activist. His work on this documentary stems from his foundational book, Radical Simplicity: Small Footprints on a Finite Earth, and his previous film collaboration, Radically Simple.

Venue & Accessibility
The screening will be hosted in Bard Hall at the First Unitarian Universalist Church in Hillcrest.

• Accessibility: Bard Hall is fully wheelchair accessible.
• Transit & Parking: Parking is available on-site, and the #3 bus line stops right at the end of the parking lot.
• Sustainability: A filtered water fountain is located in the hallway—please bring a reusable water bottle!

How to Attend
Space is limited. Please register in advance to reserve your seat and receive event updates.

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