Oceana and Planet Green Look to the Gulf and Beyond for Second Installment of Blue August
Groups announce compelling water-themed programming and online content
Press Release Date: August 5, 2010
Location: Washington, DC
Contact:
Dustin Cranor, APR | email: dcranor@oceana.org | tel: 954.348.1314
Oceana announced today its official partnership with Discovery Communications’ green lifestyle channel, Planet Green, for Blue August. As part of the channel’s annual month long focus on oceans and water issues, Planet Green will feature Oceana’s public service announcements (PSA) and online content.
On Planet Green’s website viewers will find highlights from Oceana’s 2010 Gulf Expedition, including photos and video and information about Oceana’s efforts to analyze the magnitude of the Gulf oil spill and its impact on sensitive habitats and marine life. Planet Green will also highlight Oceana’s petition to stop the expansion of new offshore oil drilling. The petition can be found at www.stopthedrill.org.
“The most important tool in preventing further spills and restoring abundant oceans is policy change,” said Andrew Sharpless, CEO for Oceana. “Planet Green is lending us a huge hand by helping us reach out to more people with our message so that we can win more changes for our oceans.”
Planet Green’s Blue August primetime offering is headlined by the U.S. premiere of the six-part series Oceans Blue, premiering Sunday, August 8, at 9 PM (ET). Oceans Blue features Philippe Cousteau and a team of underwater explorers, including expedition leader Paul Rose, marine biologist Tooni Mahto and maritime archaeologist Lucy Blue, as they attempt to unravel some of the vast mysteries of the world’s oceans. Black Wave: The Legacy of Exxon Valdez on Planet Green Airs Saturday, August 14 at 10/9c. The program, by Robert Cornellier, follows Rick Ott and the fisherman of Cordova, Alaska as they wage the longest legal battle in U.S. history against Exxon, and as they try to rebuild their lives after such a massive crisis. Beginning Friday, August 6, at 8:00 PM (ET), Planet Green will feature premiere episodes of the acclaimed series Coastwatch, which follows members of New Zealand’s Ministry of Fisheries as they fight to protect the country’s precious marine ecosystems. Blue August will also feature the U.S. television premieres of two renowned documentaries, One Water on Monday, August 2, at 9:00 PM (ET), and Sharkwater on Saturday, August 21, at 10:00 PM (ET), as well as the network premiere of the 2009 Academy Award® winner for Best Documentary, The Cove, on Monday, August 30, at 9:00 PM (ET).
“In Planet Green’s collaboration with Oceana, we are partnering with one of the most effective ocean watchdogs on the planet. Their proactive approach to the challenges our global ocean environments face makes them one of the most innovative advocates around,” said Planet Green GM Laura Michalchyshyn. “We are honored to have the weight of this organization and it’s powerful member network behind Blue August, particularly at this very challenging time in the Gulf Coast,” continued Michalchyshyn.
For a full listing of premiere and encore programming during Blue August visit www.planetgreen.com/blueaugust. For more information about Oceana’s campaigns to protect and restore the world’s oceans, including its response to the Gulf oil spill please visit www.oceana.org.
