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Inspiring documentary ‘Sea, Land & City’ uses the Solent Seascape Project to show how a flourishing natural environment boosts mental and financial wellbeing
A new film shines a light on the Solent Seascape Project, and the positive impact it can have on both the financial and mental health of those on the south coast who live near it. The pioneering restoration initiative – steered by Blue Marine – has a starring role in the documentary ‘Sea, Land & City’, which launched last week.
The film’s staring point is data which suggest that the UK is ‘one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world’, and it goes on to examine the positive impact that a flourishing natural environment might have on the country’s economy, its climate, and the wellbeing of its citizens.
‘Sea, Land and City’ follows filmmaker Mairead Cahill on an inspiring journey across those three environments. It aims to raise awareness and encourage commercial investment in nature, and was funded in part with support from Blue Marine. Cahill visits ventures that offer nature-based solutions to the UK’s poor situation, and talks to the people involved.
As well as the Solent Seascape, other projects include the restoration of forests, the reintroduction of beaver to tackle flooding, eco-moorings that are kind to the seabed, and ‘living pontoons’ to restore urban waterways.
The work of Blue Marine and its partners across the Solent sea-scape aims to restore four key habitat types: oyster reefs, seagrass meadows, salt marshes and sea-bird nesting sites. Cahill’s focus in the film is on the economic benefits of the restored marshes, and the oyster beds they support.
She estimates that these can provide up to £2 billion of value a year across the region, through carbon, nitrate and phosphate removal. She also points out the potential to scale across the UK, as well as improve biodiversity and abundance of species.
An interview finds Jo Preston from the Institute of Marine Sciences singing the praises of ‘the humble oyster’, which ‘provides so much functionality – cleaning our waters, supporting fish stocks and providing carbon storage.’
‘Many people do not realise the range of wildlife they have on their doorstep,’ adds marine biologist Theo Vickers. ‘It’s about saying, well – look what we’ve got! Get out there and explore it. Take pride in it!’
‘Sea, Land and City’ premiered at Blue Earth Summit in London on 16th October and is now free to stream on WaterBear. The film was produced by Wonderoom, with co-production partner Rubber Republic, media and distribution partner WaterBear and sponsorship support from partners The Crown Estate, Blue Marine Foundation and West of England Combined Authority.
You can watch the film here.
About Wonderoom
Wonderoom is a nature focused impact and multimedia company that connects people and business to a nature positive future. We bring value in two ways – we lead multimedia projects with real world impact that spark fresh perspective and collective action by individuals and businesses; and we work with leading brands to create and communicate their nature strategy and engage their communities. We launched ‘Sea, Land & City’ as a collaborative multimedia and impact project to inspire public and business engagement on nature positive solutions and stories. To learn more visit www.wonderoom.co
About Rubber Republic
Rubber Republic are an impact-driven communications studio exciting audiences about a smarter future. We operate at the intersection of creativity, social science, viral theory and playfulness to create narratives and content that shifts mindsets. Having worked with everyone from Disney to Extinction Rebellion, we’re currently exploring stories that provide tangible, practical visions of a more positive world. www.rubberrepublic.com
About WaterBear
WaterBear is a B Corp Certified storytelling platform giving people the tools to do some good. It’s the go-to place for unapologetically imperfect activists to feel a bit better about the world, and connect with a global community turning doomerism into do-more-ism. Combining a diverse array of award-winning content with collective actions made possible through hundreds of non-profit partners, storytellers and purpose-driven brands, WaterBear is where entertainment meets impact. And the best part? These stories and actions are available at any time, on any device, for free, because we believe that playing your part should never be behind a paywall. Join our community who, like you, want to do some good today. www.waterbear.com
About The Crown Estate
The Crown Estate is a significant national landowner with a diverse £16bn portfolio that includes urban centres and development opportunities; one of the largest rural holdings in the country; Regent Street and St James’s in London’s West End; and Windsor Great Park. We also manage the seabed and much of the coastline around England, Wales and Northern Ireland, playing a major role in the UK’s world leading offshore wind sector. Through our activities and investments, we create national environmental, social and financial value both for now and into the long term. www.thecrownestate.co.uk
About Triodos Bank UK
Triodos Bank is a leading expert in sustainable banking. Our mission is to make money work for positive change. We are more than a bank. We are a community. Get to know us and join the movement for change. We finance companies, institutions and projects that add cultural value and benefit people and the environment, with the support of depositors and investors who want to encourage corporate social responsibility and a sustainable society. www.triodos.co.uk
About Blue Marine Foundation
Blue Marine is a UK ocean conservation charity set up in 2010 by some of the team behind the award-winning documentary film ‘The End of the Line’. Blue Marine aims to restore the ocean to health by addressing overfishing, one of the world’s biggest environmental problems. The charity is dedicated to creating marine reserves, restoring vital habitats and establishing models of sustainable fishing. Its mission is to see 30 per cent of the world’s ocean under effective protection by 2030 and the other 70 per cent responsibly managed. www.bluemarinefoundation.com
About West of England Combined Authority
The Combined Authority was set up in 2017 to make decisions and investments that benefit people living and working in Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol and South Gloucestershire. Together, our aim is to deliver economic growth for the region and address some of our challenges, such as productivity and skills, housing and transport. www.westofengland-ca.gov.uk
