BY MORRIS NAFU

The British High Commission has supported the screening of a new British film which depicts the dire state of our oceans.

British High Commissioner, HE Paul Turner, spoke at the screening of the film entitled ‘Oceans’; the film is narrated by the legendary British conservationist and broadcaster, Sir David Attenborough. 

The documentary film shows the perilous situation of our oceans and how saving the oceans is fundamental to saving our planet.

With UK support, the Native Lens Film Festival hosted the screening of ‘Oceans’ at the National Art Gallery in Honiara on Wednesday.

The Native Lens Film Festival (NLFF) is the Solomon Islands’ own film festival providing a platform for indigenous Pacific stories and raising Solomon Islands voices.

In his opening remarks, Turner highlighted some key findings from the British-made documentary. 

Oceans cover 70 percent of our planet, produces half the oxygen we breathe, and absorbs enormous amounts of carbon dioxide, which helps slow down climate change.

Without healthy oceans, life on Earth collapses.

The documentary takes the viewer on a breathtaking journey—from coral reefs to vast kelp forests and majestic whales.

“The film is beautiful, but it is also a warning. Beneath the surface, the ocean is in crisis,” he said.

The film shows that industrial-scale fishing is stripping life from the seas with more up to 75 percent of what is caught is subsequently thrown away.

The audience at the Native Lens Festival were youth groups and students from across Guadalcanal. 

Turner said the film ends on a hopeful note showing that the oceans can recover—if we act now. 

He said that the state of the oceans was for the young people of today to act. 

He urged the young people to speak up and demand action on conserving the oceans, praising global campaigns such as #ProtectOurOceans.

Turner finished by highlighting the impact that young people in the Pacific can have when they come together. 

He said the recent advisory judgement of the International Court on Justice (ICJ) was a great example of how young climate activists in the Pacific can force change by lobbying international organisations. 

The ICJ advisory judgement in July was ground-breaking as it stated for the first time that countries had a duty to prevent environmental harm and protect the climate system for future generations. 

The ICJ said that countries could face penalties if they failed to do this.

Photos: Supplied

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