The film Racing Extinction is about species extinction and the current mass extinction event we are experiencing now because of human related causes such as ocean acidification or overfishing. I learned about the importance of plankton in freshwater systems from having taken a class called aquatic invertebrates. So, I could relate to the documentary when they had mentioned the effect that acidification has on plankton, an aquatic species easily forgotten because of its microscopic size. But, we depend on plankton for the oxygen we breathe and they play an integral part of the Earth’s food web, without plankton we too would not exist.
Comparable to a film we watched during our first week at Iceland, this documentary promoted awareness by using art and emotion to address extinction around the world. I felt that the way the photographers took pictures of the animals is an effective way for people to become emotionally attached and want to do something to help. However, if nothing is done to prevent animals from nearing extinction then the practice is rather pointless. Still what the film crew did was impressive and provides me with hope. Two scenes stood out to me. The first scene that caught my attention was when the crew was doing undercover work to try to expose the illegal shark hunting. The people involved put in a ton of effort to save sharks and the environment. Not many people go that far to accomplish environmental justice. The second scene was when the crew remained calm while seeing a manta ray brutally killed for its gills. To remain calm during a stressful situation like that is extremely difficult. Personally, I believe it is important to have the mental strength to control your emotions. Not being able to control your emotions can be a detriment to fighting environmental and humanitarian justice.
Connor Nowicki