FREE OUTDOOR SCREENING OF MOVIE ‘BLUE HEART’

Patagonia’s New Documentary ‘Blue Heart’ Highlights the Destruction of European Rivers

The Balkan region—richly diverse in cultures, languages and history—is home to the last wild rivers on the European continent. The region truly is the Blue Heart of Europe. However, a hydropower gold rush is putting these rivers at risk: Hydropower is the only “renewable” energy source sending species to extinction, displacing people globally, and contributing to climate change.

Over €700 million EUR (nearly $870 million USD) has been poured into the construction of dams in the area, with local governments garnering cash off the back of efforts to channel hydropower energy. The science is clear:  dams aren’t clean or efficient, and will only upset the delicate balance of a river system, including the critical nature in the Balkan Peninsula.

Patagonia continues its progressive activities by unveiling a new film centered around the threats facing the Balkan rivers. Blue Heart aims to garner protection for the rivers, showcasing the dams that threaten the wildlife, environment and local people.

Blue Heart takes a closer look at the people fighting displacement due to the proposed 3,000 hydropower projects in the area, exploring the actions that must be taken to shelter the picturesque environment from money-grabbing schemes.

The Coastal Watershed Institute (CWI)  mission is foremost conservation. Our career spanning work to restore the Elwha nearshore ecosystem is a clear example of what can be lost, and how hard (and expensive) it is to get an ecosystem back.  CWI  is therefore proud to cosponsor  this event.

Details are below. Head over to Patagonia’s dedicated Blue Heart website for more information on the film and to sign the anti-dam petition.

And join us.