Birth of an Ocean

More than four billion years ago, the most important event in Earth's history took place - the ocean was born. It completely transformed the planet, creating a watery oasis that gave rise to the air we breathe, our climate, and a stunning array of life, including the critical species that first crawled out of the sea to inhabit land. The ocean is what transformed Earth into the livable, blue planet it is today.

As BIRTH OF AN OCEAN reveals, we are just beginning to understand the complexity of the ocean and the immense influence it has on the planet and our own survival.

'The cinematography is breathtaking. The views, especially those of the oceans' depths, are nothing short of brilliant. [Birth of an Ocean] is both visually stimulating and content rich, allowing for a quite wide and varied audience access to this DVD. Both teachers and students, along with every other person simply interested in the nature of the oceans and our ecosystem, will find themselves very pleased with this DVD.' Marc Zucker, Assistant Professor, NSTA Recommends

'Very impressive! One Ocean is an exceptional series of videos focused on some of the most pressing problems threatening the health and future of the oceans...The geographic diversity of the areas covered, the superb quality and high definition videos, and the lucid explanations of the science provide a powerful and credible set of stories...These are moving and compelling stories of ocean researchers investigating the problems humans have created in the sea and explaining why our one ocean needs our help now.' Dr. Gary Griggs, Distinguished Professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Director of the Institute of Marine Sciences, University of California Santa Cruz, Author, Living with the Changing California Coast and Introduction to California Beaches and Coast

'There are a lot of DVDs available on topics relating to the ocean, but these are some of the best I have seen. I enjoyed the way in which information was conveyed and was pleased to learn things I had not seen in previous videos... I highly recommend this series to public, high-school, and college libraries.' Barbara Butler, University of Oregon Institute of Marine Biology, Educational Media Reviews Online

'I have finally found a film series that thoroughly covers all of the current marine topics that I teach in the classroom which includes MPAs, marine ecosystems, sustainability, international coastal culture, climate change and the formation of ocean life. It is presented in a sense of urgency and at the same time provides essential background information peaking the viewer's interest with animations and interviews with seasoned marine scientists and beautiful cinematography! One Ocean should be an integral part of any environmental studies course.' Michelle Ashley, Environmental Science teacher, South Aiken High School

'Puts viewers in the passenger seat along-side scientists, fishermen and explorers on numerous ocean-going expeditions...Most impressive is the ample footage from deep-sea explorations--courtesy of research submersibles. These give us a window into alien worlds...Appropriate for audiences from grade school students to adults.' Timothy Oleson, EARTH Magazine

'Details the origins of the Earth's oceans, and therefore life on our planet...An interesting film for students studying the development of life on Earth.' Ryan Henry, Daviess County Public Library, School Library Journal