November 27, 2024 Goa, India — At the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI),Planet Ocean has captivated audiences with its immersive exhibit, highlighting the urgent need for ocean conservation and climate literacy. Through innovative storytelling and stateof-the-art technology, Planet Ocean, a pioneering initiative under Ma Oceans, is spearheading the movement to save our oceans and educate future generations about the planet’s most critical ecosystems.

Ma Oceans, founded in 2019, was created to address the greatest challenge of our time: the ocean crisis. As ocean ecosystems collapse, the survival of life on Earth hangs in the balance. Recognizing this, Planet Ocean has emerged as a transformative platform for global conservation eSorts. With a mission to educate millions of children and young adults, Planet Ocean aims to establish Embassies for the Ocean across India. These embassies will serve as hubs for ocean education, hosting interactive digital experiences that showcase the hidden beauty of India’s marine ecosystems and the challenges they face.

A Vision for Change: Empowering the Next Generation

Nandita Agarwal Parker, founder of Ma Oceans and the visionary behind Planet Ocean, believes in engaging younger generations to create a lasting impact. “We must involve children and Generation Z to inspire a global movement starting in India. Through knowledge, storytelling, and technology, Planet Ocean equips people with the tools and inspiration to support and protect our Mother Ocean,” Parker stated.

The Embassies of the Ocean will spotlight six critical challenges to ocean health, including the devastating impact of plastics. Alongside these, a network of Lighthouses will connect communities, sharing innovative conservation practices to empower local and regional efforts.

Transforming the Indian Plastic landscape

Our first Planet Ocean exhibit, hosted at IFFI Goa, has been a resounding success. Featuring the virtual reality film “A Drop in the Ocean”, it immerses visitors in the beauty of marine ecosystems while revealing the tragic consequences of plastic pollution. In just five days, over 900 visitors signed an Impact form. “The results are outstanding; 85% of visitors pledged to reduce single-use plastics by at least 75%. This exhibit will travel all over India and has the potential to reduce India’s plastic waste, which is estimated to be 9.4 million tons per annum significantly. If we can take this to school children all over India, we will see a massive reduction in stress on our environment, air pollution and waste management infrastructure.” Nandita Parker said.

The Plastics Crisis: A Public Health Emergency

“Our oceans have turned into a toxic soup of plastics and microplastics,” Parker explained. “These pollutants threaten marine life, from fish and turtles to whales and seabirds, and have now embedded themselves in human bodies.” Research has uncovered plastics in mothers’ milk, placentas, arteries, and vital organs, underscoring the profound health impacts on humans.

Plastic pollution, a byproduct of our modern, fast-paced lifestyles, has grown into a global crisis over the past 50 years. From its origins as a cheap, convenient material to its current role as a threat to public health and biodiversity, the crisis demands urgent action. Planet Ocean is uniquely positioned to connect people to these issues and inspire tangible change.

A Call to Action

Planet Ocean’s traveling exhibits will continue to sensitize communities across India, providing the knowledge and tools necessary for individuals to play their part in supporting ocean health. With its bold vision, Ma Oceans and Planet Ocean aim to foster a global community united in their commitment to protect our planet’s most precious resource—its oceans.

For media inquiries or more information on Planet Ocean and its initiatives, please contact: tanay@maoceans.org Mob: 7319478732 www.maoceans.org @maoceansorg

Planet Ocean exhibit runs from 11am to 8pm from November 20th to November 28th in a white tent on the grounds of Kala Academy, Panjim, Goa