The 11th Hour Film

Press Release: Ocean Conservancy Scientist Wallace "J." Nichols Appears In The 11th Hour

Leonardo DiCaprio's “The 11th Hour” is a feature length documentary concerning the environmental crises caused by human actions and their impact on the planet. The 11th Hour documents the cumulative impact of these actions upon the planet's life systems and calls for restorative action through a reshaping of human activity.

Ocean Conservancy’s Senior Research Scientist, Wallace J. Nichols, appears in the documentary film to inform the film’s content on the issues of climate change and the ocean.

“It was an honor to be asked to work with Leo and the producers on ‘The 11th Hour’ because it offers an intensely honest and thorough look at our planet’s most urgent environmental problems and also the real solutions that exist,” said Dr. Nichols. “Climate change is the most pressing issue we face because it affects most aspects of our environment, including the ocean and its wildlife.”

The ocean’s temperature and currents dictate global climate, and climate change, in turn, affects the ocean by altering the chemical composition and temperature of the water. Ocean habitats and wildlife are directly impacted by the absorption of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, for instance, which is making ocean water more acidic, turning the water corrosive and resulting in oxygen loss. The ocean is also warming, and ocean life has responded by moving poleward. This change in behavior results in negative economic impacts for communities that lose sources of fishing and other ocean-related income. Warmer water is also exacerbating coral reef bleaching in places where productive ecosystems once thrived around living reefs.

“We must not forget that, even at this time of great challenge, there are solutions that we can apply to solve crises in the ocean. The film presents some important solutions that are beneficial for everyone to learn about,” added Dr. Nichols. “The message of the film is made very clear: the hope is us, and the moment for change is now.”

The film was directed by sisters Leila Conners Petersen and Nadia Conners. They state, “We made this film as call to action, especially to young people. They are the ones who have the power to reshape the future. We must begin now.” They have established, http://www.11thhouraction.com/, as a place for people to gather and effect change.

Buy "The 11th Hour" today at places like Amazon.com or Walmart or add it to your online queue at Netflix.