Today I had the honor of presenting our film, Ocean's Breath, at a virtual event hosted by the Italian Embassy in Washington DC. The event spotlighted collaborations between Italian and American scientists working to protect and respect our seas. Ambassador Varricchio opened by stressing Italy's commitment to an ambitious climate agenda, including in its role as President of the G20, the international forum that brings together the world's major economies, and co-host with the UK of the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, also known as COP26. Nicole LeBoeuf, Acting Assistant Administrator for NOAA's National Ocean Service, emphasized the US' renewed commitment to the Paris Agreement and eager participation in COP26. I was smiling ear-to-ear hearing about the specific actions and agenda items from both countries as we work together protect and respect the water cycle and emerge from COVID as more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient community of nations.
| "As chair of the G20 and co-partner of COP26, Italy is ready to work with the United States and the world to promote an ambitious international agenda on climate change and environmental protection." -- Press release about the event on Italian American Entrepreneurship |
A moment that stood our for me is when the protagonist of the film Sea of Shadows, Andrea Crosta, said that the biggest exploiters of the ocean are "not at sea; they are on land, in big cities."
Crosta and his team at Earth League International (ELI) are former intelligence professionals protecting Nature by investigating and exposing wildlife criminals and traffickers worldwide. Their film, Sea of Shadows (produced by Leonardo DiCaprio!), exposes how how illegal fishing has brought the population of the vaquita down to just 10 individuals. The film is available on Amazon Prime, Hulu, and other major distributors.
Our film, Ocean's Breath, is available on Disney+ in Italy (coming soon elsewhere!) and on Sky TV; it's also marketed under the title Il Segreto Degli Oceani. Snippets below!
Crosta and his team at Earth League International (ELI) are former intelligence professionals protecting Nature by investigating and exposing wildlife criminals and traffickers worldwide. Their film, Sea of Shadows (produced by Leonardo DiCaprio!), exposes how how illegal fishing has brought the population of the vaquita down to just 10 individuals. The film is available on Amazon Prime, Hulu, and other major distributors.
Our film, Ocean's Breath, is available on Disney+ in Italy (coming soon elsewhere!) and on Sky TV; it's also marketed under the title Il Segreto Degli Oceani. Snippets below!
Still from our National Geographic film, Ocean's Breath. Federico and I are diving on a coral reef smothered by the flow from an active volcano on the Caribbean island of Montserrat. We compare this reef to millions of year old fossilized reefs in what's now the Dolomites mountain range in Italy. To learn more about the work of partners based in Montserrat, see Veta Wade's organization Fish n' Fins.
 Me examining a baby coral growing on top of the volcanic material on Montserrat. In the Dolomites fossil record from millions of years ago, we see the same thing: coral reefs covered by volcanic material and then growing again. |  Federico and I assessing coral reefs off Tanzania that are living in conditions similar to what the Dolomites faced hundreds of millions of years ago. To learn more about the work of partners based in Tanzania, see Ngoteya Wild. |
On March 23rd, join us for a special conversation highlighting the collaboration and cooperation between Italy and the United States in their commitment to protect oceans, marine life and habitats.
Inspired by two recent National Geographic documentary productions, "Ocean's Breath" by Michele Melani and "Sea of Shadows" by Richard Ladkani, the panel will feature the very protagonists of these films: geologist Federico Fanti and robotic engineer Grace Young; Earth League International Executive Director, Andrea Crosta, and National Marine Mammal Foundation Executive Director, Cynthia Smith. Moderated by Valerie Craig, Interim Chief of the Science and Innovation Office at National Geographic, the discussion will include selected clips from each film.
The event will be opened by Armando Varricchio, Ambassador of Italy to the United States, and Nicole LeBoeuf, Acting Assistant Administrator for NOAA's National Ocean Service.
WHEN: March 23, 2021 at 11:30 AM ET
WHERE: Zoom Webinar
LANGUAGE: English
REGISTRATION: This Link
Inspired by two recent National Geographic documentary productions, "Ocean's Breath" by Michele Melani and "Sea of Shadows" by Richard Ladkani, the panel will feature the very protagonists of these films: geologist Federico Fanti and robotic engineer Grace Young; Earth League International Executive Director, Andrea Crosta, and National Marine Mammal Foundation Executive Director, Cynthia Smith. Moderated by Valerie Craig, Interim Chief of the Science and Innovation Office at National Geographic, the discussion will include selected clips from each film.
The event will be opened by Armando Varricchio, Ambassador of Italy to the United States, and Nicole LeBoeuf, Acting Assistant Administrator for NOAA's National Ocean Service.
WHEN: March 23, 2021 at 11:30 AM ET
WHERE: Zoom Webinar
LANGUAGE: English
REGISTRATION: This Link
I can't speak highly enough of Veta's organization, "Fisn N' Fins". Veta was born and raised in Montserrat, and right now she is helping kids on the island learn to swim and become ocean leaders. Click here to learn more about helping Veta's organization, including donations, sponsorship, and volunteer opportunities.
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