Image courtesy of Jamie Haigh

Powerful film highlighting the impact of plastic pollution in the Arctic showcased

A powerful film made by campaigners showing the impact of plastic pollution in the Arctic Ocean will be shown in Cornwall.

A Message from the Arctic, created by filmmaker and Exeter student, Thomas Auld, follows the Sail Against Plastic team’s recent 12-day expedition to the icy waters surrounding Svalbard in the Arctic Circle to determine the levels of plastic pollution making its way there on ocean currents.

The pioneering team, many of whom are students and staff from the University of Exeter, is made up of scientists, filmmakers, photographers and artists. The film will be shown at the University’s Penryn Campus as part of a sustainability week on Tuesday 30 October.

The screening will take place at 5pm-7.45pm at the Environment and Sustainability Institute (ESI) building. The Sail Against Plastic team will give a presentation and take part in a Q&A session. Guests will have the chance to meet the team and ask questions, and there will be free sustainable refreshments.

Moira Connor, Expedition Founder and Conservation Biology and Ecology student at the University of Exeter, said: “This was an unmissable opportunity to not only share the eye-opening experience of sailing on Blue Clipper, a 33m tall-ship powered solely by wind, but to gather a diverse team who were willing to put our determination to the test and take action on an issue that was close to our hearts.

“Our aim was to bring artists and scientists together to engage as many different people as possible. We hope there’s something at this event for everyone.”

Dan Osmond, scientific officer and Zoology MSci student at the University of Exeter, said: “I wanted to join the expedition because I saw it as an opportunity to use what I’ve learnt and do something about an environment we know is at risk. We have to bring to attention our shared responsibility for our struggling world and not wait until it's too late.

“Attendees of this event will be able to share the vision of the scientists, sailors, artists and filmmakers who embarked on the voyage.”

The film screening is part of a wider exhibition of works from the expedition that will be displayed as part of the ESI’s Creative Exchange Programme. A second film created by Mari Huws will be shown, alongside photography from Ben Porter, Jamie Haigh and Simon Pierce. Rob Arnold, Jess Grimsdale, Flavia Pinto and Georgina Maxwell will also be exhibiting artwork.

Please note there are limited places for this event. To register, visit Eventbrite and click the 'register' link at the top of the page.

You can find out more about the film on the Sail Against Plastic website

Date: 26 October 2018