NewsWest: Wallace J. Nichols Joins Esteemed Environmental Thought Leaders in Documentary Film 'The 11th Hour'

Ocean Conservancy Scientist Wallace J. Nichols Joins Esteemed Environmental Thought Leaders in Documentary Film 'The 11th Hour'

WASHINGTON, Aug. 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Ocean Conservancy's Senior Research Scientist, Wallace J. Nichols, appears in Leonardo DiCaprio'senvironmental documentary film, "The 11th Hour," to inform the film's contenton the issues of climate change and the ocean. "The 11th Hour" premiers today in Los Angeles.

 

Mr. Nichols joins an esteemed group of thought leaders, including reformer Mikhail Gorbachev, physicist Stephen Hawking, and Nobel Prize winner Wangari Maathai in the film. "The 11th Hour" documents the graveproblems facing the planet's life systems. Global warming, deforestation, mass species extinction, and depletion of ocean habitats are all addressed.

"It was an honor to be asked to work with Leo and the producers on 'The11th Hour' because it offers an intensely honest and thorough look at ourplanet's most urgent environmental problems and also the real solutions thatexist," said Dr. Nichols. "Climate change is the most pressing issue we facebecause it affects most aspects of our environment, including the ocean andits wildlife."

The ocean's temperature and currents dictate global climate, and climatechange, in turn, affects the ocean by altering the chemical composition andtemperature of the water. Ocean habitats and wildlife are directly impacted bythe absorption of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, for instance, which ismaking ocean water more acidic, turning the water corrosive and resulting inoxygen loss. The ocean is also warming, and ocean life has responded by movingpoleward. This change in behavior results in negative economic impacts forcommunities that lose sources of fishing and other ocean-related income. Warmer water is also exacerbating coral reef bleaching in places whereproductive ecosystems once thrived around living reefs.

"We must not forget that, even at this time of great challenge, there aresolutions that we can apply to solve crises in the ocean. The film presentssome important solutions that are beneficial for everyone to learn about,"added Dr. Nichols. "The message of the film is made very clear: the hope isus, and the moment for change is now."

Dr. Nichols' daughter Grayce also appears in "The 11th Hour" and he notesthat "Grayce will grow up on a planet that is healthier and safer, thanks tothe solutions inspired by my colleagues in this film."

"We are pleased that Dr. Nichols had the opportunity to lend his expertisein the development of this history-making documentary that addresses direenvironmental concerns," said Vikki Spruill, president and CEO of OceanConservancy. "Climate change is an ocean problem. The ocean is where climatechange impacts are first being felt with higher water temperatures,acidification, rising sea levels and shrinking icecaps. The ocean, in fact, isour first line of defense against climate change because it absorbs enormousamounts of carbon dioxide that would otherwise add to the problem. But sadly,climate change is damaging the ocean environment and its wildlife."

"The 11th Hour" is opening on August 17th in New York and Los Angeles. OnAugust 24th, and in following weeks, it opens in more cities across thecountry. For more information on the movie and when it will come to a theaternear you, visit http://www.oceanconservancy.org/11thhour orhttp://www.11thhouraction.com.

Ocean Conservancy is the world's foremost advocate for the ocean. Through science-based advocacy, research, and public education, we inform, inspire and empower people to speak and act for the oceans. Ocean Conservancy is headquartered in Washington, DC, and has offices in New England, Florida, theCaribbean, the Gulf of Mexico, and California with support from more than halfa million members and volunteers.