By Rick Morris

On the 23^rd of October, more than 1500 representatives to the UN Environment came together in Manila, Philippines to conduct the 12^th Conference of the Parties. COP 12, the twelfth Conference of the Parties, is an UN-sponsored conference organized by the Convention of Migratory Species, or CMS, as it is known. This landmark event, which takes place every three years, was established to set regulations and policy to maintain species sustainability around the world. 

            In Plenary sessions, working groups, and side events, the case is presented for what is needed and what is being done to promote sustainability.  This first short film introduces some of the key players, the scene, and the message of this critical conference on the sustainability of all migratory species. Part trade show and part science conference, all for sustainability of the planet. In the future more shorts will be edited from extensive interviews and content provided by the parties. 

Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/embed/bUHd4ywok2E

Subsequent work on more films has yielded this followup piece that introduces two great women who who represent Ocean Care, a Switzerland-based NGO that deals with underwater noise pollution, the overfishing of aquatic wild meat, and marine debris. Microplastics have already worked their way into every level of the marine food chain, and Ocean Care works to educate people about the facts as well as what they can do personally to reduce the amount of plastic they release into the marine environment. Watch more here: https://player.vimeo.com/video/257361725