Surfrider Foundation Australia is hosting a screening of Southern Blast to raise support for its campaign to Save the Southern Sea from fossil fuel exploration.
Teaming up with Ben & Jerry’s, the not-for-profit agency hopes to put pressure on the federal government to cancel a proposed seismic blasting permit searching for gas across the southern coastlines of Australia.
The screening of the 37-minute film is at Dixon Park Surf Life Saving Club on Friday 17 November from 6pm to 9pm.
It is part of a nationwide Tour D’ Ice Cream, thanks to a partnership with Ben & Jerry’s.
The event will include local musicians, a panel of local high-profile speakers, and free ice cream for attendees.
It will be led by a vegetable-powered vintage fire truck that has been hand retrofitted by beach clean-up organisation Emu Parade, run by Roland Davies.
He’s encouraging residents to take action in exchange for a scoop of ice cream.
The action will be as simple as signing a digital petition, which automatically sends a letter to their local politician calling for the blasting permits to be revoked.
The proposed Southern Ocean blasting is a joint venture between seismic survey companies TGS and SLB/Schlumberger and is one of the largest blasting plans the world has ever seen.
Seismic blasting is the first step in drilling for offshore oil and gas, with the proposal releasing blasts into the ocean every 10 seconds for up to 400 days.
The blasts are louder than the atomic bomb detonated at Hiroshima.
Marine scientist Annie Ford, who features in the film, says the affects of seismic testing is devastating.
“Seismic surveys have significant impacts to both ecologically and commercially valuable species, including whales, crayfish and plankton,” she says.
“But, research is limited. The more we learn, the worse the impact appears to be.”
Shot on location in the Southern Ocean, Southern Blast features spectacular surf footage and celebrates the beauty of Australia’s coastlines and the potential devastating impacts of fossil fuel exploration.
Directed by ecologist Matty Hannon, it includes iconic Australian free-surfer Torren Martyn, interviews with environmental marine consultants such as Annie Ford, and an original soundtrack including the likes of Australian musician Will Coleman.
Film producer Drew Mchperson says the destruction caused by seismic blasting is not worth the risks associated.
“We don’t have a gas shortage,” he adds.
“We have as much gas as we need to transition away from it, but our government is investing in prolonging this dangerous fossil fuel instead of transitioning towards a safe and renewable future.
“Seismic blasting is known to damage the hearing of cetaceans.
“Whales rely on sound to communicate, navigate and feed. At a time when whales are finally returning and recovering from the damage of whaling, they are being driven away by seismic blasts.”
Tickets to the screening of Southern Blast are available through Humanitix.
For more stories like this:
- Hunter suburbs in top five of at-risk erosion list
- Kids’ screen time addiction costing millions
- The Ultimate Newcastle Gig Guide
Get all the latest Newcastle news, sport, real estate, entertainment, lifestyle and more delivered straight to your inbox with the Newcastle Weekly Daily Newsletter. Sign up here.
