The global impact of pollution and misinformation on the marine life in the oceans, seas, and rivers has led to a pattern of wildlife destruction and mass pollution of the water bodies with oils, plastics, and other organic wastes from industries. The Blue Planet documentary series has however, been at the forefront in educating the masses on the life below the seas, creating awareness on new species unknown to science and has also been influential to institutions dealing with research aimed at ways of sustaining the ocean and the endangered species.
The Blue Planet series is produced by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), narrated by David Attenborough and directed by Alastair Fothergill. It is a compelling documentary that explores the oceans through state-of-the-art equipment such as microlights, submersibles, and underwater photography. It has support from various marine institutes and marine scientists who analyze the data collected and expound on it to enable the documentary to have not only an informative outlook but also an intriguing aspect that can create a social impact on the environment.
The series is a keen agent of social change, especially on issues related to plastic pollution. It has bagged several awards such as the Emmy Awards for the best cinematography and music, and also it has been nominated and awarded The British Academy Television Awards for its rich content and graphics. Its music, composed by Hans Zimmer and several bands and orchestras such as BBC Concert Orchestra has enabled the film to illuminate human empathy towards nature and garner support for environmental organizations and charities such as Wild Wide Fund for Nature.
The documentary has attracted public interest in nature due to its marketing strategies that involve partnerships, offering frequent interviews and presentations, forwarding books related to its content and providing copyrights for the Deep Blue Film. Books written from the series include The Blue Planet: A Natural History of the Oceans by Andrew Byalt and Martha Holmes. This book and many others have created a public engagement that has resulted in Institutions such as the University of Southampton reporting a massive registration of students undertaking marine courses. This social impact is significant in a move to protect the marine life amid aggressive productions and pollution across the globe.
Blue Planet documentary has offered several solutions through its series on how to manage the environment in relation to marine life. It has often agitated for the plastic ban which BBC, the British government, and the Chinese government are working to ban. It has created public engagement especially on social media, as the masses are drumming support for orphanages and marine parks through funds and research. It has also created a social phenomenon where people are appreciating marine life and want to be identified with it.
The documentary can be measured on social impacts since it addresses social issues relating to the environment. The documentary is compelling, engaging, and generates social change on the masses. It’s resources and track impacts have thrust to the public, thus connecting the audience to political campaigns on climate change and marine pollution.
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