TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO - GREEN SCREEN

Last night was Sustain TT's third annual Environmental Film Series adequately titled "Green Screen". Hundreds of people showed up to Digicel's IMAX for the opening ceremony and networked over local wine and local cheese. After the initial festivities, we were funneled into the theatre, handed our 3-D glasses, and greeted by the German Embassy's Deputy Head of Mission, Mr. Ullrich Kinne. 

"I would like to congratulate [Sustain TT] on their choice of date. Because like Halloween, Climate Change is also very scary." Teased Mr. Kinne. He continued his praise and expressed the embassy's ongoing interest in sponsoring similar events related to climate change and other environmental initiatives.

The first film, "The Last Reef", was in complete 3D IMAX. Elaborately colored Sea-slugs, magnificent sea urchins, camouflaged scorpion fish, intricate coral networks and more were radiating from the screen. It was Planet Earth totally rejuvenated. The coral bombed around Bikini Island during nuclear testing days has revived itself over the last 50 years into something spectacular. Although this is a testament to coral reef system's rigidity, other anthropocentric issues such as coral bleaching from Ocean Acidification are seriously compromising our reefs.

The second film was just as visually stunning, "Chasing Ice". It followed the journey of James Balog, the founder and director of the Extreme Ice Survey "EIS" where dozens of cameras were set up next to massive glaciers around the world to capture the phenomenon of glacial melting. The images were alarming and arguably more effective than any scientific proof of global warming.

I left the show with a bittersweet taste in my mouth. The visuals were absolutely stunning, but the message was absolutely depressing. Our emissions have already lead to some very extreme changes that are likely irreversible. The good news is people are starting to care. The event's mantra this year was "Seeing is Believing." I saw some things I could not believe and couldn't be more proud of my profession.

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