WaterBear - Turning good intentions in to actions through the power of storytelling
“WaterBear intends to harness the power of storytelling in order to motivate people to engage more deeply on important issues.”
– Lisa Rose, Head of Impact at WaterBear
WaterBear is the free interactive multimedia platform dedicated to the future of our planet. It allows members to watch inspirational and award-winning content, interact with hundreds of nonprofits, and empowers them to dive deeper, learn more and take action instantly.
To mark World Wildlife Day we spoke to Lisa Rose, Head of Impact at WaterBear, to find out about some of the fantastic work they are doing.
1. We were very excited to attend your launch last year, you have some fantastic content. Can you tell us a bit about WaterBear and your mission?
Thanks so much for being part of our launch event! We are really proud of the content on WaterBear right now and feel very lucky to have been able to acquire and produce a diversity of documentaries and short films that we hope will entertain and inspire people to take action.
WaterBear intends to harness the power of storytelling in order to motivate people to engage more deeply on important issues. We hope to build a global community that wants to “WaterBear and Act” rather than just “Netflix and Chill”. But our mission really is to create and amplify amazing stories that can drive action to support the UN Sustainable Development Goals. We’re a very ambitious and passionate team.
2. What drew you to WaterBear?
I was introduced to WaterBear while I was working for Patagonia and I was just blown away at the potential that the platform clearly has -- the ability to access the most inspirational content about our world and engage with so many of the most effective organisations all in the palm of your hand. For an eco nerd like me, it felt like finding a genie in a bottle to make my dreams come true! I had been craving inspirational films that drive people towards making a real difference for many years. I studied Zoology and was acutely aware of the threats nature was facing so I was disappointed when David Attenborough’s amazing films ended without anything people could do to help. It seemed like such a wasted opportunity.
“Our mission really is to create and amplify amazing stories that can drive action to support the UN Sustainable Development Goals.”
3. Now more than ever taking care of our planet for the future is at the forefront of people’s minds. How are you helping people turn their good intentions in to actions? Can you tell us a bit more about your NGO partnerships and the campaigns that you support as part of them?
We have over 90 NGO partners now covering all kinds of environmental and sustainability issues around the world. Some are big well known organisations like Greenpeace and Conservation International but we also have smaller ones who are making a big impact like the Wildlife Direct (who produce amazing wildlife films in Kenya) and the Sea Change Project (from the award winning documentary My Octopus Teacher).
4. The theme of this years ‘World Wildlife Day’ is ‘Forests and Livelihoods: Sustaining People and Planet’. Can you tell me about some of the WaterBear content that has covered this theme?
One of the most popular films on the platform right now is called “Sonic Forest”. It’s about the journey of Simón Mejía, founder of Latin music sensation Bomba Estéreo, deep into the jungles of the Colombian Pacific to discover the richness of this megadiverse region through its local music and the indigenous communities that live there. It is a really great film that also has the WaterBear Connect interactive timeline which allows you to discover relevant information and take action such as donate to the related organisation “Stand For Trees” while you watch (link to the film).
We’ve also just realised a WaterBear Impact Production called Sumatra’s Forest Guardian about a fearless Indonesian eco-activist called Farwiza Farhan and her brave actions to protect the last rainforest where rhinos, elephants and tigers roam freely together. This film also has the magical WaterBear Connect timeline that can take you on a journey of discovery and action while you watch. (link to the film)
5. Why is it so important that the future of our planet forests and ecosystems are preserved and protected?
They are the lungs of the Earth and play a massive role in controlling the climate by drawing carbon out of the atmosphere. But also they are home to indigenous communities and vital ecosystems that we simply can’t afford to lose. Destroying forests is like taking a chainsaw to the tree of life.
In addition to many films on forests you will also find several organisations on the platform you can connect with and support. I’ve already mentioned a couple but we are super proud to be partnered with Amazon Watch, Cool Earth and many others who are striving to protect forests together with the communities that depend on them.
6. What small changes could people make to help better support the conservation work being done around this?
Many forest communities and the organisations working to support them have been deeply affected by COVID-19 and need urgent help to get back on track with critical projects. The best way to support them is to make a donation to support the groups I’ve mentioned through WaterBear. We send 100% of your donation directly to the organisations. There’s also many actions you can take through WaterBear if you explore the “Take Action” section of the platform.
7. With consumer consciousness at an all-time high, can you give us an example of a brand or business who are getting it right for the planet?
Well I’m tempted to say Patagonia as they are doing fantastic things all over the world now, using their brand and customer base to support environmental activism, while giving away a ton of their profits to support real change through grassroots groups, but they’re such an obvious one that most folks already know about so I’ll take the opportunity to mention that WaterBear is partnering with Nikon to host the Environmental Photographer of the Year competition this year and we’re really excited about it. Nikon is genuinely committed to supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Climate Agreement. They have the Science Based Targets certification for their own carbon footprint and we feel they are setting a great example for other companies to follow.
One super powerful thing that anyone working for a company can do right now is to ask their CEO if they know about ‘Science Based Targets’ carbon reduction certification and push for them to get it if they don’t have it yet! https://sciencebasedtargets.org/