Chasing coral turns 2!
Some people say nobody cares about second birthdays — but we beg to differ. Since commemorating our first year with this impact video, Chasing Coral’s movement to wake up the world has only grown bigger. In honor of our big day, we’re throwing a virtual birthday party with fun stories and good news from our second year in action.
Since our July 2017 release, we’ve seen community screenings organized across the globe — including recent locations like Tunisia, Dominica, Romania, Cyprus, and Kuwait! This year, our goal was to reach 2,000 screenings, and you made our birthday dreams come true! Let’s keep the momentum going to reach 3K in 2020! Sign up to host a free screening in honor of our second birthday and we’ll email you a little special something from Team Chasing Coral. Consider joining larger movements, like Climate Week in September, to make the impact of your event go even further.
CHECK OUT CHASING CORAL’S NEW TOOLKIT FULL OF SCREENING TOOLS TO HELP POWER YOUR EVENT:
- Unstoppable Schools Curriculum – project-based learning curriculum to inspire students to “chase” their own local environmental issues
- VR Assets – dive beneath the waves with Chasing Coral with the VR Experience film and The Ocean Agency’s Google Expeditions
- Microsoft’s “Skype in the Classroom” for educators – featuring a live, virtual lesson with Chasing Coral cast-member, Zack Rago
- Doc Academy’s teacher platform – includes short Chasing Coral video clips followed by lesson plans for students focussed on Earth Sciences and English Language Arts
- Promotional tools – poster templates, photo assets, and more to help you get the word out about your event
Areas of Impact:
IGNITING THE NEXT GENERATION. TO DATE, OVER A QUARTER OF SCREENINGS IN OUR GLOBAL PROGRAM HAVE TAKEN PLACE IN SCHOOLS — THAT’S MORE THAN 500 SCREENINGS! AS TEACHERS INTEGRATE CHASING CORAL INTO THEIR CLASSROOMS, YOUTH CONTINUE TO CALL ON ACTION FOR OUR REEFS:
- Students at Palm Beach Day Academy create coral project to fund student-run coral lab and new documentary
- Science teacher organizes “Ocean Night”, a community education and art event, after seeing Chasing Coral
- Gulliver Schools in Florida hosts Inaugural Miami Youth Climate Summit
“This film is what initiated our school to create the PBDA Coral Project. AMAZING how powerful a film can be! Thank you for inspiring the next generation!”
— Palm Beach Day Academy Educators
CONNECTING WITH DECISION MAKERS AND LOCAL LEADERS. USING CHASING CORAL TO ENGAGE KEY AUDIENCES, PASSIONATE ADVOCATES ARE BRINGING COMMUNITIES TOGETHER TO CREATE CHANGE — FROM ADVANCING POLICY TO UNLOCKING FUNDING AND MORE:
- Conservation Voters of South Carolina uses Chasing Coral to help raise awareness around clean energy in South Carolina, where the Energy Freedom Act was recently passed into law
- Dr. James Porter screens Chasing Coral ahead of “Biodiversity Loss Hearing” during Capitol Hill Ocean Week. Following the screening, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill to address ocean acidification
- $86 million is pledged for coral conservation action through Richard Vevers’ 50 Reefs initiative
- Citing Chasing Coral, media executive Pat Mitchell urges University of Miami graduates to raise awareness and create change for climate solutions
“In my lifetime, our planet has lost about half its coral reefs. We’ve got to take action to make sure we can protect the other half as best we can because we know that time is against us.”
— Representative Chris Lee, Hawaii State Legislature
INSPIRING CREATIVE SOLUTIONS. THE MOVEMENT TO HALT THE DESTRUCTION OF OUR PLANETS REEFS CONTINUES THROUGH SCIENTIFIC INNOVATION, TECH, ART, DESIGN, AND MORE. CHASING CORAL TO ENGAGE KEY AUDIENCES, PASSIONATE ADVOCATES ARE BRINGING COMMUNITIES TOGETHER TO CREATE CHANGE — FROM ADVANCING POLICY TO UNLOCKING FUNDING AND MORE:
- Oceans 360 founder brings marine life close to home through VR after watching Chasing Coral
- The Ocean Agency launches its “Glowing Glowing Gone” campaign using a collection of fluorescing-inspired colors captured in Chasing Coral to call for climate action
- Motivated after watching Chasing Coral, eco-art organization 1,000 Mermaids works to restore marine habitats through artificial reef installations
- Mangrove Junior Mas Band releases Chasing Coral “Fluorescing” costume call for submissions, ahead of Notting Hill Carnival in London
LOOKING AHEAD:
With continued momentum and more exciting initiatives ahead, we remain focused on making a big splash with the next generation. As a follow-up to our pilot program with the Charleston County School District, we’re excited to host an Unstoppable Curriculum workshop at the Progressive Educators Network Conference this October. We are currently seeking other national and local partnerships for the 2020 school year. If you would like to get in touch regarding other opportunities, please contact [email protected].