Former astronaut to share his views from the earth

When it comes to Earth Day speakers, John Young offers a different perspective on the planet than most. He has seen it from the moon.

Presenting “Preservation and Survival: Space Exploration and Earth’s Future” Saturday at the Radisson Newport Beach Hotel, Young brings 42 years of experience as a NASA astronaut to the table, having journeyed into space six times on four classes of spacecraft.

Coming to the area for tonight’s Newport Beach Film Festival world premiere of “The Wonder of It All” — a documentary offering the personal stories of seven moonwalkers, including Young — the retired astronaut will discuss the development of new technologies that would potentially save the world’s population in the case of a catastrophic event, such as the eruption of a super-volcano.

These technologies include the use of solar arrays, terraforming — the hypothetical process of altering the atmosphere of other planets and moons to make them livable — and self-contained habitats.

“John says that developing these technologies will be the key to solving many issues concerning the preservation of the Earth’s resources,” said Jeffrey Roth, who directed and produced the film.

He added that technological development is becoming an important motivation for space travel.

“Back in the ‘60s and ‘70s, going to the moon was about bringing back samples and just checking things out,” he said.

“Now it’s about staying longer and figuring out a plan to keep things going for mankind,” he added.

“The Wonder of It All” will screen at 6:30 p.m. today at Edwards Island Cinemas, 999 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach.

Young will present “Preservation and Survival” at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Radisson Newport Beach Hotel, 4545 MacArthur Blvd., Newport Beach.

Tickets are $10 for tonight’s film, $30 for Saturday’s presentation, and are available at www.newportbeachfilmfest.com or by calling (866) 623-3849.

LOCAL EARTH DAY EVENTS

SATURDAY AND SUNDAYBATTERY ROUNDUP

Celebrate Earth Day by donating your used vehicle batteries for the Automobile Club of Southern California’s annual drive from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at A&B; Towing, 2956 Randolph Ave., Unit B, Costa Mesa. For more information, call (714) 540-0204.

SATURDAYMUSIC FESTIVAL

HelpBlueWater.com — a nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness of declining natural resources through education and the arts — hosts the event, with local bands, environmental films and the presentation of the first Southern California and O.C. environmental awards.

Free admission is available to those who “demonstrate their love for the planet” through action. General admission tickets are $50, and VIP tickets are $100. For more information, go to www.helpbluewater.com.

The event is from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort, 1131 Back Bay Drive, Newport Beach.

SUNDAYGET YOUR GREEN ON

Lululemon Athletica will offer a selection of organic snacks, wines and beverages to accompany a screening of Al Gore’s “An Inconvenient Truth” to commemorate the holiday. The event — from 6:30 p.m. at Lululemon Athletica, 563 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach — is free. For more information, call (949) 644-9642.

AT THE BACK BAY

Several local organizations will offer tips and demonstrations on sustainable living practices, and attendees will have the opportunity to meet a family of bobcats that has recently taken up residence in the Upper Newport Bay. Other activities will include scavenger hunts and craft booths. The Newport Beach Film Festival will also screen its Earth Day program at the center throughout the day.

The free event at the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center, 2301 University Drive, Newport Beach, is from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, go to www.newportbay.org or call (949) 923-2296.