TV Series Review: BBC's South Pacific

     My wife and I recently hunkered down and watched "South Pacific", from the BBC. No, not Rodgers and Hammerstein musical. (Although watching that with your wife is bound to be one enchanted evening.) The mini-series explores the islands, people, creatures and the amazing diversity in the most amazing areas in the Southern Pacific ocean. I would run out, get Netflix and watch it if you don't already have the streaming service. You can also watch it online.

Mataiva Atoll

     Of course, watching the different episodes, I was struck with how unique and special life on this planet is. Despite the South Pacific being desolate and far from most of the densely populated areas of the world, it is still threatened by our activities. Many of the small islands and atolls are under serious threat from sea level rise. Whole cultures are on the brink of disappearing. Anyone who can watch this and not care just a little bit about preserving these natural wonders and the people who live near them... Well, let's hope that's not the case.

     The final episode, "Fragile Paradise", is especially poignant. As the other oceans of the world see sharp declines in their fish populations, nations are hightailing it to the South Pacific to meet their quotas, further impacting a delicate balance. The word of the 21st Century should be sustainability. And we should do what it takes to ensure that the South Pacific and the rest of the world's oceans are there for future generations.