the butterfly's tale ~

[Generic Other]

Run time: 07:22 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1fO8SxQs-E   Posted on YouTube: April 21, 2011 By YouTube Member: CelestialElf Views on YouTube: 1094   Posted on DU: May 14, 2011 By DU Member: Generic Other Views on DU: 520

 
My machinima friend Celestial Elf made this documentary about the rapid decline of butterfly populations:

the butterfly's tale

Swarms of butterflys were once widespread across our countrysides, but now you will be lucky to see one or two...
The decline is due to Industrial agriculture, the loss of 97% England's natural grasslands and wildflower meadows, the increase of motorways and urban development plus climate change which brings new predators and diseases..
Butterflys are essential eco system pollinators benefiting both agriculture and medical science for its plant derived medecines, as well as being sensitive indicators of environmental change.

The last species extinct in Britain, the Large Blue (Maculinea Arion)(d.1979) was re-established in the 1980's by Professor Thomas, who stated "What is bad for butterflys is bad for all species -- including our own''.
( http://www.butterflyworldproject.com/ )Other Species recently extinct in the UK; Mazarine Blue (d.1904) Black-Veined White (d.1925) & Large Tortoiseshell(d.1970's). Currently 1/3 of only 435 species in Europe are under threat...

Around the world the Large Copper of Ireland, Giant Swallowtail of Jamaica, Atewa of Ghana, American Silverspot and Apollo of the Alps have also become extinct.

In The USA the Monarch butterfly now faces drastic reductions following destruction of their milkweed seeding plant by biotech agricultural chemicals.

[iemitsu]

1. this short film may be the next lorax.

the combined beauty and the important message in this film will make it both loved and hated by viewers.
the best validation of an artist's work.

[sasha031]

2. thank you so much for posting this, it is beautiful and sad

[Generic Other]

3. I have been to many of the places in Second Life where he filmed this

I can't even begin to describe how much labor went into this work. It really shows machinima's power and ability to engage us in a serious message.

The political power of artist's voices can't be overstated. And the fact that individuals without backing from the corporates or anyone else can bring their visions to us in such polished well produced works is so amazing.

There are some who would consider a film that exploits the rich virtual reality world of a game platform, using puppetry and the combined work of hundreds of artists and programmers as something trivial and childish, but the artists who are utilizing this medium are neither.

Most share our liberal politics and vision of a better world. It is really cool to see more of the machinima artists being politically active in getting out positive messages.

I am really impressed by Celestial Elf's work. This film especially.

[JitterbugPerfume]

4. beautiful!

Thank you