The ocean is rising.  Eleven island nations and twelve Alaska villages will be under water in a few short years. In Tuvalu, a Pacific Island nation, water is already under homes. A warming planet is taking away thousands of homes, schools, shops – everything people in these communities know and love. Unless something is done, this will not stop – and hundreds of millions of people will be in danger. 

OceanBeat, an international nonprofit, is making a video for the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference in November – featuring children speaking and singing about their disappearing lands – hoping to appeal to the hearts of these decision makers. OceanBeat uses children’s voices to inspire change, and raises awareness about what is happening to the ocean – how its health affects all people – wherever they live – and how everyone, everywhere, contributes to its health or demise.

OceanBeat has recently visited schools in South Pacific countries and established a pen pal program between these and U.S schools - evolving into an internet program in which children plan joint environmental projects, learn each other’s music and sing together via the internet. Last year’s video is included here.

This new video will enable us to include children in Micronesia, Alaska and Hawaiian coastal communities and eventually Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Thailand and beyond).

Two filmmakers – John Devaraj, well known videographer from Bangalore, India and Bear Champlain, a young California videographer - passionate about oceans, together with Dixie Belcher, Alaska musician and international activist, are donating time and expertise to this effort.