A team of researchers was taken on a wild ride through the waves of the world’s oceans in the latest Netflix environmental documentary “Chasing Coral.” 

Throughout the film viewers were exposed to numerous startling images and facts about the worldwide depletion of coral reef caused by rising ocean temperatures, which has led to bleaching. 

The film began with an image of divers exploring a bright vibrant coral reef alongside a friendly sea turtle and many colorful fish. The reef was teeming with life and had massive vivid structures of living coral in the brightest colors imaginable. 

After the camera panned this brilliant reef, it showed an image of a less amazing reef. This second reef was sparse of life, bleak and small. The two juxtaposed coral reefs were in fact the same reef over the course of only a few months. 

The documentary showed the team’s triumphs and despairs of trying to set up multiple automatic time-lapse photography cameras in different oceans. For three and a half years a team of experts, in tandem with the film’s producers, used underwater cameras around the world to document changThe team used footage of the underwater world and made it available in a way that is similar to Google Maps Street View. After the ups and downs of this mission, the team finally had the images they needed to show the world. 

Directed by Jeff Orlowski, “Chasing Coral” produced a proof of change in the underwater ecosystem over time. Orlowski previously directed the 2012 documentary “Chasing Ice,” which showed massive glaciers melting in short periods of time — a similar theme to this documentary. 

Producers used researchers’ personal stories and struggles throughout the film to tug at the heartstrings of viewers. The film served as a platform to educate the public of global warming and the effects it has on the ocean, land, environment, economy and the overall quality of life. 

The documentary was emotionally moving through the images that were presented, which helped initiate the will to change in viewers. Facts in the film such as “in the last 30 years, 50 percent of the world’s coral has been lost,” has prompted the startling realization that exploring some coral reefs may not be possible in the near future.

The film snatched viewers’ attention emotionally, but did not take full advantage of its environmental platform. The conclusion of the film urged viewers to check out their website to find out what they can do. However, those who may have chose to not take time to research the issue further would not know how to emit less greenhouse gases because it was not mentioned in the film. 

While the documentary had some flaws, it was overall very emotionally moving and enlightening to those who were not aware of the global issues involving coral reefs. This film was compelling enough to make viewers want to tell everyone they know about it and its message. This alone could create a chain of necessary changes to help save planet earth from the harmful effects of climate change.

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