SEND THEM UP
THE STORY
On a sunny spring day Martin Mages, a German filmmaker, stands at his father's deathbed. His father weakly tells him how much he misses the spring, the one he knows from his childhood, full of birdsong and full of life. It has now become so quiet due to the poor state of nature. He looks Martin in the eye and says: "I would like to hear one last loud spring." Martin promises to let him hear it.
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He tries to get a cage full of birds, but it's too late. His father has already died. In deep mourning, he tries to keep his promise even after his death.
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But why has spring become even quieter and quieter?
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Life as we know it on Earth is absolutely unique. The diversity is estimated to be around 8.7 million species, including 7.8 million animals and almost 300,000 plants. And we don't know all of them, not by far. Biodiversity is not only the foundation of our culture, but above all, the reason for our survival as humankind.
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Nevertheless, we have lost more than 2/3 of all wild animals worldwide. Since the 1970s, about every ten minutes one species disappears forever. Humanity is the cause itself and will suffer from its own actions.
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According to scientists, our conduct of life will soon reach a point of no return if this development progresses further, but so far there has been no consistent change in our behavior. If we want to enable the next generation to live on this planet, we need a progressive answer to the most pressing question in history: How do we transform our industrialized societies into sufficiently sustainable ones?
Knowledge is power - Consciousness is more powerful
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Due to the urgency of this situation, species protection should actually be at the top of the political priority list. But government action is unmotivated and so far inconclusive. The powerful people of this world do not come to a common agreement that stops the rapid dying of our biodiversity. The industrial economy still receives too many subsidies and freedoms, which make the change towards a global sustainable way of life impossible.
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In order to turn the tide, we need to ambitiously pursue and fulfill a common, concrete goal: 1/3 of all soils and oceans must become nature reserves by 2030.
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How can this goal be achieved?
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In search of a solution to change the consciousness of the world's decision-makers, the filmmaker comes across an unusual approach: sending them into space.
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Because there, people are supposed to experience the Overview Effect when they look at the Earth. With the help of this psychological phenomenon, one gains the knowledge that the Earth is a tiny ball full of life, surrounded by an infinite universe and must be protected. Personal differences and national borders lose their meaning.
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In 90 minutes, Martin tries to answer the following question:
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Could the OVE really cause a lasting change in the consciousness of the G-20 politicians and persuade them in favor of taking measures to protect biodiversity and our life?
