Goal: 

Virginia Beach residents rally against offshore drilling.

Location:

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Key Highlights:

• Connected the global issue of coral bleaching to local issues like offshore drilling and the importance of renewable energy.
• Led discussion with a local legislator to demonstrate the importance of local citizen engagement to members of the Virginia Beach Community.
• Rallied audience members around a petition to oppose offshore drilling on their coastline.

Virginia League of Conservation Voters, Oceana, and Lynnhaven River NOW hosted over 120 attendees at their screening of Chasing Coral, with city council-member John Uhrin of Virginia Beach introducing the film. In an effort to ignite political action, five panelists connected the global story of coral bleaching to local threats posed by drilling off of Virginia’s coast and the importance of supporting a transition to clean energy. Understanding the potential damage to their shorelines resonated heavily with audiences, leading to over 100 people signing a petition opposing offshore drilling.

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Press: Chasing Coral: Because an Entire Ecosystem is at Risk without It