If the ocean could talk, would you hear its call? On World Oceans Day 2017, Sophie joined world leaders and representatives from business, academia, and NGOs at the UN for the Ocean Conference—the first truly global gathering dedicated to reversing deterioration of the ocean. This video was produced by James Cameron and the Avatar Alliance Foundation to be screened at the conference following remarks from the UN Secretary-General and the President of the General Assembly.
Distributed online by National Geographic, the short film is narrated by Avatar and Guardians of the Galaxy actress Zoe Saldana and features stunning ocean imagery generously donated by some of the world’s preeminent marine documentarians. The short film outlines the significant challenges the world’s oceans face: global warming, plastic pollution, overfishing, ocean acidification and more. But it also introduces a new generation of ocean activists — researchers, conservationists, teachers, filmmakers — working on the front lines to protect and preserve the planet’s critical resource.
Sophie is the activist at 2:04!
Following the film’s debut at the UN, a second segment aired that featured eight young leaders focused on ocean science, education and conservation and associated with National Geographic, The Explorers Club, OpenROV.
Consistent with the themes of the UN Ocean Conference, which was aimed at achieving Sustainable Goal 14, the “Ocean Goal,” this next generation of ocean champions underscored the need to take action on oceans through a collective statement: “If not me, then who? If not now, then when? It starts here. It starts now.”
I am absolutely humbled to have had my work showcased and feel a renewed vigor to continue to fight for the worlds oceans. I would like to extend immense gratitude to the following for making it all possible:
The film is executive produced by James Cameron and Maria Wilhelm and was made possible by collaboration from contributors: Oceans, a Jacques Perrin and Galatée Films production; Planet Ocean, a Yann Arthus-Bertrand and Michael Pitiot film; March of the Penguins by Bonne Pioche Productions and Luc Jacquet; MacGillivray Freeman Films; Alucia Productions; National Geographic; Howard Hall Productions; Dave Hannan; the Plastic Oceans Foundation; Years of Living Dangerously; TBA21-Academy. And last but not least Jayne Jenkins for filming!