Watch!
The Nicolaas G. Pierson Foundation is the scientific bureau of the Party for the Animals. The NGPF’s goal is to conduct scientific research and increase public knowledge and awareness of social issues, most particularly with regard to animal welfare, animal rights, sustainability and nature. The NGPF explores and presents alternatives that can contribute to the realisation of a more pleasant, animal-friendly and sustainable society. In so doing, the Nicolaas G. Pierson Foundation endeavours to make existing scientific research and knowledge far more accessible to the broader public and to stimulate societal and political debate on such themes. This has resulted, among other, in these documentaries:
#Powerplant
#Powerplant provides added insight into the link between climate change and meat consumption, a topic that Marianne Thieme (leader of the Party for the Animals) was the first politician to address in the climate documentary ‘Meat the Truth’ in 2007. This issue has become even more pertinent since then. According to Oxford researcher Marco Springmann, a transition to a plant-based diet can prevent up to 8 million deaths per year in 2050 on a global scale, and can lead to savings in health and environmental damages worth up to 1.5 trillion USD. Adopting a plant-based menu can reduce a significant amount of agriculture’s greenhouse gas emissions and can make it possible to revert 76% of all agricultural land back to nature, says Joseph Poore, also a researcher at the University of Oxford. The study is described by The Guardian as “the most comprehensive analysis to date” in this field. In addition to speaking with Springmann and Poore, #Powerplant also shows Marianne Thieme’s meetings with for example top economist Kate Raworth about the need for a protein transition and an economy that no longer exceeds the carrying capacities of Earth in terms of resources and environmental space.
One Single Planet
One Single Planet addresses the major sustainability issues that threaten our planet and offers potential solutions to preserve the habitability of our earth for future generations, Marianne Thieme speaks with leading scientists, policy makers and inspiring minds about the metaphor used by astronaut Wubbo Ockels, who compared the earth with a space ship, carrying 7 billion souls, that has steered off course. Read more on the website of One Single Planet.
Meat the Truth
Meat the Truth is a high-profile documentary, presented by Marianne Thieme (leader of Party for the Animals). It is an addendum to earlier films addressing climate change. Although such films convincingly succeeded in drawing public attention to global warming, they repeatedly ignored one of the most important causes of climate change: intensive livestock production. Meat the Truth demonstrates that livestock farming generates more greenhouse gas emissions worldwide than all cars, lorries, trains, boats and planes added together. Read more on the website of Meat the Truth.
Sea the Truth
Under the guidance of Dutch MP Marianne Thieme, two young marine biologists Marianne van Mierlo and Barbara van Genne have searched worldwide for scientific information about the condition of our biggest ecosystems, which cover more than two thirds of our planet. Underwater photographer Dos Winkel shows them the beauty of marine life and the enormous threats to which it is exposed. For the documentary the producers filmed in Newfoundland, on Bonaire, in the North Sea, on the Azores, and at various locations in the Netherlands. Authorities offer the solution of sustainable fisheries projects while leading scientists say that every fish that is taken now, is one too many. This documentary shows that, unfortunately, there is no such thing as “sustainable fishing”. Read more on the website of Sea the Truth.
The Pacer in the Marathon
Commissioned by the Nicolaas G. Pierson Foundation, filmmaker Joost de Haas has made a documentary on the first ten years of the Party for the Animals. Next to in-depth interviews with the party founders, the film provides an insight into the public reception – in the past and present – of this pioneering political movement, within science, politics and media. During the 10th anniversary gathering of the Party for the Animals on October 28, 2012, the Pacer in the Marathon celebrated its national premiere. The documentary has received wide international attention since and is currently available in 6 languages; Dutch, English, French, Portuguese, Russian, and Turkish. Read more on the website of the Pacer in the Marathon.