Julia Barnes, director of Bright Green Lies, on the latest Skaana Podcast
Diving deep into dirty secrets of clean energy and how electric cars could run over the oceans...
Hi all,
Hi all,
In the introduction to our latest episode I mention that Skaana listeners may need a “trigger warning” before listening. I’m not exactly joking.
This wasn’t planned, but we’ve got back-to-back episodes about the threat corporations pose to the planet. Our previous episode features Joel Bakan talking about his film, The New Corporation: The Unfortunately Necessary Sequel.
In this episode… Julia Barnes talks about what she learned working on her film, Bright Green Lies. And some of the corporations and industries she’s taking on… they’re the ones I want to believe in. I also want to believe not all the Bright Green Lies she’s calling out are lies. I know carbon math is complicated and everyone wants simple solutions. I want simple solutions. I’m sure Julia Barnes would like simple solutions.
She hasn’t found any…
What she has found…. problems I had no idea existed. Problems that I suspect many of you have no idea exist. You have to listen to this to find out about deep sea mining.
I think this is the first time I’ve screamed during an interview… It’s certainly the loudest I’ve screamed during an interview. The audio had to be adjusted to avoid the interview being rejected by our podcast hosts - and to avoid busting the eardrums of anyone listening on headphones. For the full effect, my response to something she said was along the lines of ARRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGH!
Rayne Benu, our producer, first met Julia several years ago when her film and ours were playing at Planet in Focus in Toronto. Here’s Rayne’s interview with Julia Barnes about her first film, Sea of Life.
Bright Green Lies debuts April 22nd - Earth Day.
You can buy tickets to watch the live debut online, followed by a Q&A period with the filmmakers. We’ll be there. https://www.brightgreenlies.com/film
Mahalo,
-Mark
Patreon patrons, subscribers and Skaana…
So I don't think I've ever really gotten into what you're helping us do by supporting Skaana - and you’re supporting us even by subscribing to this newsletter and downloading the podcast - because, until recently, I'm not sure I realized what you were helping us do.
Yes, Patreon patrons help us pay for the expenses involved in making this podcast - and feel free to join our patrons here - but you've also created a platform that makes it possible for me to do interviews like this one - that didn't just run in The Vancouver Sun, but on the front page of The Province.
When you read the story you may find yourself asking the same question I did when reporter, Randy Shore, called me to talk about the southern resident orcas. Why am I getting the call?
Yes, I've been fighting for these whales for a while... Yes... I've now written four books about whales and, even if one of the books is for babies, I guess that makes me an expert. But that is NOT why he called me.
Here's the thing…
Randy called me because there are things that I can and will say that people with more knowledge and expertise can't and won't.
Most of the orca experts in BC work for the federal government, or receive funding directly from the federal government. So guess who they can't and won't criticize?
Skaana is funded by you - and by Rayne and I volunteering our time - because... orcas are freaking awesome!
So when The Vancouver Sun needed someone to say the federal regulations which keep being introduced to “protect” the southern resident orcas are about as real as the villain on WandaVision, I got the call. And Americans got the call...
And part of why I got that call is that I'm doing Skaana which allows me to keep on top of orca stories.
So that's what you're supporting by supporting Skaana... Your help... and this podcast... make it possible for me to tell The Vancouver Sun that when it comes to protecting these orcas we claim to love...
“There’s no enforcement.”
After the world watched the orca mom Tahlequah carry her dead calf for 17 days, no one can say they aren’t aware the southern residents are endangered, he argued.
“Remember when pleasure boaters whipped through a bunch of orcas off the coast of Stanley Park?” he asked. “There’s video of that boat and to my knowledge no one has ever been charged.”
The fact is that charges and penalties for such violations are so rare they can hardly be considered a deterrent.
Transport Canada issued more than 140 warning letters to recreational boaters who violated killer whale sanctuaries and distance requirements last year, while pursuing another 89 investigations.
The incidents still under investigation may warrant “stronger action,” said Michelle Sanders, director of the department’s clean water policy division. “To date, no fines have been issued, however, we will not hesitate to issue a fine if it is warranted.”
“That is obscene,” charged Leiren-Young. “That is a complete abdication of responsibility by the people enforcing these rules.”
FYI I gave the reporter a host of options for the word "obscene" including several that are almost never printed in newspapers. I gave him permission to take his pick of adjectives.
I'm sure that many of the orca researchers I talk to for Skaana agree with my assessment. But they're not able to say so... at least not publicly.
Thanks to this platform - I can, I do and I will continue to do so.
If you’re able to support us on Patreon to help that happen, here’s the link: https://www.patreon.com/skaana
Thank you,
-Mark
Check out my books!
All my books are on sale now from your local bookstore and all three books are available in ebook, Kindle and other digital formats!
Orcas Everywhere is also available on most audio platforms. For more information, visit orcaseverywhere.com.
Orcas Everywhere is for EVERYONE! But can they survive their relationship with humans? Orcas Everywhere explores how humans around the world (Indigenous and non-Indigenous alike) related to orcas in the past, how we relate to them now, and how we can keep cetacean communities alive and thriving. The book deals with science, philosophy, environmentalism and ethics in a kid-friendly and accessible way. Writer, filmmaker, and orca activist Mark Leiren-Young (that’s me!) takes us back to when killer whales were considered monsters and examines how humans went from using orcas for target practice to nearly loving them to death. If you know a young person who loves Free Willy or Finding Nemo, they’ll fall in love with these whales.
In Big Whales, Small World, you’ll meet whales from around the world. This rhyming photographic board book visits the oceans of places like New Zealand, Russia and South America. The book introduces young readers to blue whales bigger than dinosaurs and tiny vaquitas who swim close to shores.
Meet Onyx and the orcas of J pod, the world’s most famous whales. Illustrated with stunning photos, this picture book introduces young readers to the orcas humans first fell in love with. The members of J pod live in the Salish Sea, off the coast of Washington and British Columbia. Moby Doll was the first orca ever displayed in captivity, Granny was the oldest orca known to humanity, and Scarlet was the orca humans fought to save.
Orca Bites
Orca Bites is a brand new podcast series from the Skaana team!
Each short clip features words of wisdom from scientists, activists, eco-philosophers, ocean warriors and friends of the planet - and sometimes a teaser of our next episode!