Help Make a Groundbreaking Film About the World's First Climate Refugees

Sun Come Up, the story of endangered Pacific islanders, is almost in the can. But the filmmakers need your help.

January 12, 2010 at 11:40PM by Brian Clark Howard | comment

Filmmakers Jennifer Redfearn and Tim Metzger are nearing completion of their feature documentary film Sun Come Up, which tells the emotional story of the Carteret Pacific Islanders and their struggle to save their culture in the face of rising sea level. I recently sat down with Jennifer, a colleague of mine from journalism school, and she told me about the exciting project, the first we are aware of that documents climate refugees on the front lines. But now Jennifer needs help too. Sun Come Up still needs finishing funds, and Jennifer and Tim have tried to raise $14,000 through Kickstarter, an innovative website that crowdsources support for worthwhile projects.

The trouble is, the film has a ways to go to reach $14,000, and if it doesn't make that milestone within 19 days none of the money gets allocated. I just logged onto the Sun Come Up page on Kickstarter, and pledged $25 (that means I'll get a signed DVD of the film when it is finished, too, pretty cool!). There are even more exciting prizes for higher amounts, including the chance to get listed as an associate producer.

By mid-century, the world could have 250 million climate refugees, according to the UN. The humble Carteret Islanders are the proverbial canaries in the coal mine, and their story may soon be repeated for many others unless the world takes decisive action. Help get their story told, before it's too late.

Help get Sun Come Up made. But hurry, there are only 19 days left to support this important work.

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