Jason Momoa is The Wave in New Conservation International Nature is Speaking Film

Arlington, VA (June 17, 2021) – Conservation International today released “The Wave,” the newest addition to its award-winning “Nature is Speaking” series. The film is voiced by Aquaman actor, Hawaiian-native and ocean sustainability advocate Jason Momoa. It highlights the urgent need to protect and conserve the global ocean for the benefit of humanity.

“Waves are powerful, they are connected to the sun, to the moon and to the entire human population. We must collectively make the choice to treat our oceans with respect, not tomorrow but today,” said Momoa. “Rising emissions are leading to sea-level rise, plastics are polluting the seas and we often overfish without pause. The good news: we can turn things around if we first recognize our connection to the ocean and then positively act on it, keeping nature’s and our best interests in mind.”

The oceans are the origin and engine of all life on this planet – and they are facing threats that are leading to unprecedented sea-level rise, dangerously warming waters and the loss of biodiversity. If left unchecked, these impacts will have catastrophic consequences that will affect humanity’s ability to survive.

Globally, there are thousands of locations where surf waves coincide with biologically diverse marine and coastal ecosystems. The coral reefs, forests and coastlines in these regions support the livelihoods of nearby communities and need protection. In 2019, Conservation International and the Save the Waves Coalition joined together to create the Surf Conservation Partnership, an effort that is helping to mobilize the global surf community as advocates for the protection of these important ecosystems.

“What do you think I can do to your currents, your coastlines, your climate? My requirements are simple. Stop stripping the forests that keep my water clean, stop filling the atmosphere with dead carbon and keep your plastic to yourself. Work with me now, before it’s too late. I’ll keep coming, I am the wave,” says the wave, voiced by Momoa. 

Science shows that protecting and conserving large areas of the ocean is necessary for our survival. Known as the 30x30 goal, the global community is aiming to conserve 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030 in order safeguard the ecological, social and economic benefits it provides for nature and people.

For example, oceans and coastal ecosystems: 

• Provide three of every seven people in the world with seafood, their main source of protein;
• Are home to 2.4 billion people who live within 100 kilometers of a coast; and
• Annually generate USD $3-6 trillion of goods and services while absorbing about 25% of all CO2 released by human activity over the last decade.

The Wave was directed by world renowned surf filmmaker Taylor Steele and inspired by the writing of Surf Conservation Partnership supporter, Shannon Skaff.

Conservation International developed the “Nature Is Speaking” campaign in 2014 with social impact communications agency MAL\FOR GOOD under the creative direction of agency founder, Lee Clow. The goal: to give nature a voice and reframe why conservation is important, reinforcing that people need nature if we are to safeguard our future on the planet.

The series includes films personifying different elements of nature narrated by some of the biggest names in Hollywood including Harrison Ford, Julia Roberts, Liam Neeson, Lupita Nyong’o, Edward Norton, Robert Redford, Penelope Cruz, Ian Somerhalder, Reese Witherspoon, Salma Hayek, Shailene Woodley and Lee Pace as well as more than 50 international artists. The films have been viewed more than 100 million times around the world in 10 languages.

Watch The Wave, voiced by Jason Momoa, here.

Watch the full Nature is Speaking series here.

Building on decades of experience working with businesses, governments and communities, Conservation International strives to protect nature at a global scale to support the well-being of humanity. To learn more about Conservation International’s efforts to protect and conserve the global ocean click here.  

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About Conservation International
Conservation International works to protect the critical benefits that nature provides to people. Through science, partnerships and fieldwork, Conservation International is driving innovation and investments in nature-based solutions to the climate crisis, supporting protections for critical habitats, and fostering economic development that is grounded in the conservation of nature. Conservation International works in 30 countries around the world, empowering societies at all levels to create a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable planet. Follow Conservation International's work on Conservation News, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.