Program on Global Warming and Environmental Protection Peaks Concern

New York, March 21, 2012

On March 15, as part of the follow up to the I Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival (DREFF), which took place last September, Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD), in partnership with its sister institution in the Dominican Republic, Fundación Global Democracy and Desarrollo (FUNGLODE), presented a screening of the documentary film The Polar Explorer, followed by a discussion session with scientist and director Mark Terry at FUNGLODE Headquarters in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

The film was very well received by the audience, comprised of high school and college students, professors of environmental science, Ministry of Environment officials and representatives of environmentally-oriented civil society organizations. The discussion following the film focused on the challenges Mark Terry and his team had to confront to make the film; the ecological implications of the expansion of new species in the Artic; and what global warming will mean in terms of sea-level rise. Mr. Terry affirmed that current predictions identify the coasts of Florida and Louisiana as being dangerous zones as it relates to sea-level rise, and that the Dominican Republic has not yet been identified as an area of high-risk.

On the following day, GFDD and FUNGLODE partnered with Fundación Zurza to coordinate an educational program on global warming and environmental protection with Mark Terry at the Aida Cartagena Portalatin School. Mr. Terry spoke with students about his journey to the Artic and shared slides of his amazing encounters with Artic wildlife. Later on, Mr. Terry was given a guided tour of the school's recycling program in conjunction with Fundación Zurza. Fundación Zurza and the students of the Aida Cartagena Portalatin School have been a major force in the environmental clean-up movement, and together are largely responsible for the clean-up of the Isabela River. Fundación Zurza realized educational campaigns with local schools and is responsible for recycling tons of plastic and cardboard.

Synopsis:

The Polar Explorer, the most recent film by Mark Terry, takes us on a three week long scientific expedition to the Artic to study the effects of climate change. Until 2009, the Arctic pack ice prevented regular marine passage throughout most of the year, but climate change has reduced the pack ice, and this Arctic shrinkage has made the waterways more navigable. Mark Terry's latest polar adventure explores the Passage on a three-week scientific expedition taking place on the aptly named icebreaker, the Amundsen. Studying the effects of climate change in this Arctic region, in general, and discovering new life on the ocean seabed and other previously inaccessible areas of the Arctic seas, in particular, is the focus of this one-hour HD documentary.

This historic journey, featuring the work of many of the world's foremost polar scientists, is the highlight of a film that also compares and contrasts these findings with the latest studies being conducted at the other end of the earth - Antarctica. New scientific discoveries being made related to climate change this year in Antarctica are included to provide a unique comparison of current climate change research at both ends of the earth. In addition to showing how warmer temperatures are affecting the speed of melting glaciers, icebergs, pack ice and floes, an examination of the drastically changing eco-systems in both areas is presented.

A commitment to environmental preservation:

Through the organization of conferences, workshops and film screenings and the creation of online and print publications, GFDD works to promote environmental protection, conservation and sustainability. The Foundation's environmental initiatives heighten awareness of pressing issues and promote respect for biodiversity, natural resources and ecosystem services. These projects aspire to encourage citizens of the Dominican Republic and citizens of the world to adopt practices that will positively contribute to the sustainability and health of the natural environment.

The second edition of DREFF will be celebrated September 5-9, 2012!

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Related link:

www.fundsazurza.com