by Angela Betancourt
The Carpathians in Europe is one of the world’s last remaining wildernesses. For centuries it has been home to a diverse group of people and some of the world’s greatest mammals. Today however, this land with such a rich past is facing an uncertain future. The Carpathians are falling victim to unregulated industrialization and deforestation.
Renowned conservationist Paul Lister has made saving The Carpathians his life work. He is the founder of The European Nature Trust (TENT) an organization that aims to protect and conserve this wilderness. Through conservation, fundraising, film-making, and educational initiatives; TENT wants to empower the next generation to care about these issues and safeguard the future.
In 2011, Lister along with Travel Channel Host, journalist, and poet Charles Ottley, premiered their film Wild Carpathia. Narrated and present by Ottley, Wild Carpathia takes its viewers on a visual adventure across Romania that tells a story of the country’s people, culture, and history.
The three part documentary showcases the picturesque landscapes of the Carpathian Mountains as well the environmental threat it faces. The film also includes an interview with Prince Charles who owns property in Transylvania and has a passion for conservation.
An MSN report revealed that more than 900 hectares disappeared from the Romanian Carpathias between 2010 and 2012. The NGO Greenpeace stated that in 2012, there were 19,500 cases of illegal forest cutting in Romania and TENT states that more than three hectares old growth and virgin forests are being lost every hour.
Ottley and Lister have been traveling the world showing their film and educating the public on these alarming numbers. Their most recent stop was in Miami. They screened Wild Carpathia at the Soho Beach House, The Frost Museum of Science, and at Florida International University’s College of Business Complex. After each screening they had a Q&A with the audience and shared tales of their travels and challenges in making this film.
Celebrities and Miami’s movers and shakers came out on various nights to watch the film. The general consensus was the same; Wild Carpathia is a must see film for anyone who cares about conservation, the environment, and the future.
Flavia Colgan, national correspondent, sat down with David Lister and Charlie Ottley for L’Etage Magazine to discuss Wild Carpathia and the European Nature Trust.
L’Etage: What is the European Nature Trust (TENT) have as it’s aim? And how are your efforts supported?
Paul Lister: We want to raise awareness and develop policy to ensure the protection of some of the last great wild areas such as the Carpathians. We want to protect and restore threatened wilderness and the wild life living within them. It is only through corporate, philanthropists, and donors that we are able to do the work we do.
L’Etage: Why has the educational element for children been so important to you?
PL: If children don’t understand about their surroundings they won’t take care of it. TENT gives young people an opportunity to experience and learn outdoors. It’s a hands-on approach to connect with nature so that they have a deeper appreciation of wilderness and the impact of human activity. This will affect a positive change for years to come.
L’Etage: Why do a documentary about it?
Charlie Ottley: You need to see what you are fighting for. Have it portrayed in the best way you can –music, imagery, and it means talking to the people. That, you can’t get in a brochure.
L’Etage: As a journalist do you feel that you must present work that has a social conscience?
CO: If you have power you have the capacity to influence and you have an obligation, moral imperative, to leave this world better than you found it.
L’Etage: There are so many issues facing our world—from wars, to poverty, a healthcare crisis, why Is Romania’s wilderness something we should care about?
PL: Saving the forests is one of the most paramount things we can do—we won’t be able to breathe There’s a quotation that is one of my favorites “When one tugs at a single living thing in nature one finds it attached to the rest of the world.”
CO: We are all connected with globalization. Whether we like it or not, what happens impacts us all. We can’t say it’s not our problem, because it will be.
PL: 97% of all global philanthropy goes to human related issues. Only 3% to the air we breathe, the water we drink, the soil we grow our crops in. A healthy planet means healthy people.
L’Etage: What about Romania in particular captured your imagination?
PL: I’ve had a very strong connection with Romania for 30 years, it’s completely unique. Beautiful people and culture. I want people to visit Romania so they see how beautiful it is, that it’s in jeopardy, and that we must do something about it.
L’Etage: H.R.H. Prince Charles of Wales was featured prominently in the documentary, how did that come about?
PL: H.R.H. Prince Charles fell in love with Romania’s meadows , villages, churches, organic farming. He’s keen on the forests and has been very supportive of our education efforts with TENT
H.R.H Prince Charles of Wales (as stated in “Wild Carpathia”): The meadows in European and global terms are utterly unique. I’ve never seen anything like it. There’s nothing left like this, it is a jewel in Romania’s crown…It is a challenge in today’s world and part of the real effort is in trying to persuade people of just how precious it is. To Provide protection and sensitive development is the key, you can’t stop everything…We need biodiversity and human and cultural diversity. The danger of massive globalization is before we know it we have lost our identity and our meaning. That’s a dangerous moment.
L’Etage: After people watch “Wild Carpathia” what are you hoping they do?
PL: Visit Romania. Get inspired. Spread the word. Inspire a friend who may be in a position to help to do so.
CO: Go online, learn more. Fly there, visit and see it. You will be moved and then you will want to get involved.
Wild Carpathia can be seen on YouTube and for more information about TENT visit: http://www.wildcarpathia.tv/en/
PHOTO GALLERY
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