Mission Blue is an amazing documentary about Slyvia Earle, who is known for her extensive research in marine biology and her position at National Geographic. Along with Dr. Earle's life story and work in her field, this documentary tracks the progress of her new campaign for promoting and protecting marine areas. She refers to these zones as "hope spots" because she hopes to see these areas grow back to their former glory and beauty. Her campaign, Mission Blue, is aiming to "protect the ocean the same way we protect the land."
Throughout the documentary, she shows many reasons behind the need for her project and helps the audience understand the importance of her work. She goes on to explain many topics such as dead zones killing marine ecosystems, the process of shark finning, the extreme reduction of marine species from 1950-2014, and the importance of different marine organisms to the ecosystem. Dr. Earle points out that most of our problems with the marine ecosystem have been caused by human impact. Since 1950, around 50% of the coral reef remains due to human impact on our ecosystem and the extensive exposure we put other organisms through. An intense rise in temperature from climate change has caused most of the coral reefs to bleach, which results in them dying off.
In addition to climate change, the human population has grown immensely and has led to overconsumption of marine organisms. Since 1950, only 5% of the Pacific Bluefin fish remains, 10% of sharks remain, and 5% of the North Atlantic Cod remains. The intense consumption of fish is leading to the extinction/endangerment of these species. In many cases, the fish/marine organisms that humans eat are the most important to the ecosystem. The Menhaden fish species was shown to be a major factor in keeping the ocean clean since they are known as the "kidneys" of the ocean. This species will clean the excess phytoplankton and detritus that covers the sea and are fish at the base of the marine food chain.
Overall, this documentary captures the most amazing parts of the sea and the importance of protecting it from further harm. Dr. Earle's work has left an empowering impression on how I look at the Earth and the environmental impact I have on the ecosystem. I hope everyone will watch this movie because it leaves a meaningful impact on the audience and helps drive the need for change.
Throughout the documentary, she shows many reasons behind the need for her project and helps the audience understand the importance of her work. She goes on to explain many topics such as dead zones killing marine ecosystems, the process of shark finning, the extreme reduction of marine species from 1950-2014, and the importance of different marine organisms to the ecosystem. Dr. Earle points out that most of our problems with the marine ecosystem have been caused by human impact. Since 1950, around 50% of the coral reef remains due to human impact on our ecosystem and the extensive exposure we put other organisms through. An intense rise in temperature from climate change has caused most of the coral reefs to bleach, which results in them dying off.
In addition to climate change, the human population has grown immensely and has led to overconsumption of marine organisms. Since 1950, only 5% of the Pacific Bluefin fish remains, 10% of sharks remain, and 5% of the North Atlantic Cod remains. The intense consumption of fish is leading to the extinction/endangerment of these species. In many cases, the fish/marine organisms that humans eat are the most important to the ecosystem. The Menhaden fish species was shown to be a major factor in keeping the ocean clean since they are known as the "kidneys" of the ocean. This species will clean the excess phytoplankton and detritus that covers the sea and are fish at the base of the marine food chain.
Overall, this documentary captures the most amazing parts of the sea and the importance of protecting it from further harm. Dr. Earle's work has left an empowering impression on how I look at the Earth and the environmental impact I have on the ecosystem. I hope everyone will watch this movie because it leaves a meaningful impact on the audience and helps drive the need for change.