On Tuesday, Feb. 22, a free screening of the documentary film, “A Sea Change,” will touch on issues regarding ocean acidification and human impacts on our waterways. This is the last in the four-film series sponsored by SUNY Fredonia’s Academic Community Engagement (FACE) Center and the Fredonia Sustainability Committee.
The film will be shown at 7 p.m. at the SUNY Fredonia Technology Incubator in downtown Dunkirk. Biology Professor Michelle Kuns will then lead a discussion about the film and also discuss local environmental issues and encourage people to get involved in sustainability initiatives within the community. The event is open to the public.
“A Sea Change” follows the journey of retired history teacher Sven Huseby on his quest to discover what’s happening to the world’s oceans in the wake of their rising acidity. His quest takes him to Alaska, California, Washington, and Norway, as he uncovers a worldwide crisis that most people are unaware of.
During his journey, Huseby speaks with oceanographers, marine biologists, climatologists, artists and policy experts to discover that global warming is only half the story of the environmental catastrophe that awaits us. Excess carbon dioxide is causing detrimental effects to the oceans’ chemistry and sea life that could eventually affect the fish that one billion people depend upon for their source of protein.
Along with the film’s educational objectives, it also displays a touching portrait of Huseby’s relationship with his grandchild, Elias. As he keeps a correspondence with the little boy, he mulls over the world that he is leaving for future generations.
This is the first documentary to tackle the issue of ocean acidification and has been highly praised by scientists and film critics alike for its beautiful cinematography and accessible presentation of complex scientific idea. The film was also recognized by the Sonoma Film Festival which named it the Best World Documentary.
To learn more about SUNY Fredonia’s sustainability initiatives, visit www.fredonia.edu/earthweek/.
The Technology Incubator is located at 214 Central Avenue in Dunkirk. Contact Professor Christina Jarvis at 716-673-3430 or jarvisc@fredonia.edu with questions.
