by Xinhua writer Luo Jingjing

NEW YORK, May 1 (Xinhua) -- Narrated by U.S. explorers, filmmakers and environmental advocates Philippe Cousteau and Ashlan Cousteau, a social virtual reality project that aims to draw greater public attention to marine plastic pollution was premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival here from April 24 to May 5.

The project Drop in the Ocean shrinks participants down to about two inches tall as they hitch a ride on a jellyfish to encounter the mysteries of the deep ocean and directly experience the plastic pollution crisis as sea life does every day.

The captivating underwater world and the horrific scene of ocean plastic forms a poignant contrast that compels people to rethink the severity of plastic pollution and the urgency to protect the ocean and the planet.

"We wanted to create an experience where people could actually see (the phytoplankton in) the ocean that most people don't even know exist, but are critical to life, and to (let them) experience a crisis that people from China to the United States and all around the world are increasingly aware of, which is plastic," Philippe Cousteau told Xinhua in an interview during the film festival.

Cousteau said that he and his team believe that VR technology is a wonderful way to expose people to a different type of experience, for them to be able to interact with the ocean, and help them understand the scale and gravity of the crisis that we're facing.

"This experience helps participants discover how each of us is linked to this vast and amazing resource. From tiny plankton that provides two out of every three breathes of oxygen we breathe to an enormous whale shark that will amaze you, Drop in the Ocean allows anyone to experience the stunning diversity of our ocean and gain an understanding of why we urgently need to take action to protect it," said Ashlan Cousteau, Philippe's wife and partner.

Creators Adam May, Chris Campkin and Chris Parks of award-winning Vision3 designed Drop in the Ocean to share the beauty of the breathtaking underwater natural world - and what is at stake - with people. The project was built from the photo archive of Academy Award-winning micro-photographer Peter Parks, father of creator Chris Parks.

The ocean-themed immersive project comes at a time when the world is grappling with a global plastic pollution crisis. Every minute, the equivalent of a truckload of plastic enters our oceans, endangering marine life of all kinds.

The UN estimates that ingestion of plastic kills 1 million marine birds and 100,000 marine animals each year. Scientists predict that the weight of ocean plastics will exceed the combined weight of all of the fish in the seas by 2050.

"Even though the Ocean seems vast and unchangeable, humanity is causing catastrophic damage with terrible consequences for life on earth ... including our own," the couple ended the VR experience with encouragement and promise. "The good news is that when we come together, just like the smallest plankton, we can become something mighty and change the world." Enditem

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