Using the intersection between research into behaviour change and conservation, this short film draws on what the scientific community, across disciplines, has learnt and tackles issues including ocean pollution, acidification, chemical runoff into the sea, the loss of biodiversity, and the role of personal responsibility and self-efficacy.
It is backed by science:
- Research shows us that people are emotional, not rational, so the story attempts to tap into emotions.
- Research reveals that people inland (and by the coast, too) do not understand the ways they impact the sea, but the story shows them some of the ways they impact the ocean, no matter where they are.
- Research shows the general public switches off when bombarded by numbers and big words, so the story is simple, highly visual and uses an original concept to pull people in.
- Research has also shown that people stop paying attention when they see terms like ‘climate crisis,’ so the story shows the beauty, acknowledges the losses, and leaves people with a positive message, a hopeful message, an empowering message.
- Research discovered that all people believe they have a deep spiritual connection to the sea, but many have lost touch with that part of themselves, so the story tries to tap into and reignite that connection.
- Research shows that behaviour change, in part, comes about when people are not only made aware of a problem, but are given things they can do to help, so the story spotlights areas where people could start to make a difference in their everyday lives.
- Research shows how interconnected the planet’s ecosystems are and how intertwined the ocean is with climate and the Earth’s health, so the video tells the story of that interconnection.
- Research also shows that people feel more joy when they tap into their interconnection with nature, so the video has an upbeat feel to it, the music chosen is uplifting.
This story uses the ocean literary concept of one ocean, shared by all of us and embodies this year’s MPA Day theme: ocean protection needs human connection. Watch “Where does the ocean begin?” here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bvSz63K8icj6DXCvdQp-zFPKplC4vFLI/view?usp=sharing
By Renee Bonorchis