A Sea Change

A Sea Change

Barbara Ettinger
USA, 2009, 88min
Sprache
English OV
Filmgespräch mit
Filmemacherin Barbara Ettinger und Protagonist Sven Huseby *live via Videostream*
Tuesday May 22nd - 18:30

Imagine a world without fish. It’s a frightening premise, and it’s happening right now. The Award winning documentary A Sea Change follows the journey of retired history teacher Sven Huseby on his quest to discover what is happening to the world’s oceans. After reading Elizabeth Kolbert’s “The Darkening Sea” Sven becomes obsessed with the rising acidity of the oceans and what this “sea change” bodes for mankind. His quest takes him to Alaska, California, Washington, and Norway as he uncovers a worldwide crisis that most people are unaware of. Speaking with oceanographers, marine biologists, climatologists, and artists, Sven discovers that global warming is only half the story of the environmental catastrophe that awaits us.

Excess carbon dioxide is dissolving in our oceans, changing sea water chemistry. The more acidic water makes it difficult for tiny creatures at the bottom of the food web to form their shells. The effects could work their way up to the fish 1 billion people depend upon for their source of protein.

A Sea Change is also a touching portrait of Sven’s relationship with his grandchild Elias. As Sven keeps a correspondence with the little boy, he mulls over the world that he is leaving for future generations. A disturbing and essential companion piece to An Inconvenient Truth, A Sea Change brings home the indisputable fact that our lifestyle is changing the earth, despite our rhetoric or wishful thinking.

“Ocean acidification is the flip side of global warming and if you have children, grandchildren or any investment in life as we know it continuing on this planet, this is a must-see film.” - Marin Maven

“Like “An Inconvenient Truth,” this film is both a love letter to the planet and an urgent plea to its citizens.” - Justin Berton, San Francisco Chronicle