To open its 2024 Green Series and commemorate Earth Day, the Marjorie Luke Theatre will screen the documentary “Greetings from Summerland: Birthplace of Offshore Drilling,” 4 p.m. Sunday, April 21.

The film sheds light on the environmental challenges facing Summerland and its leaking oil wellheads. It is directed and produced by Harry Rabin and Joey Szalkiewicz of On the Wave Productions.

Rabin, who is also the program director at Heal the Ocean (HTO), has seen firsthand the urgent environmental issues facing Summerland.

In 2017, California State Lands Commission and contractor Interact tackled the task of capping a leaking oil wellhead, Becker, at the West end of Summerland beach. That wellhead was one of more than 200 offshore wellheads, many of which have been leaking since they were drilled beginning in 1896.

To date seven wells have been successfully abandoned including Becker, and State Lands continues to this day to address additional leaking wellheads as they are discovered.

Through assisting in locating, monitoring and documenting these wells, Rabin realized the need to educate the public about the harmful effects of methane emissions from leaking abandoned wells.

With millions of wells globally, including one million in the USA, Rabin thought it crucial to raise awareness, so “Greetings from Summerland,” a film aimed at global communication, was produced.

A town hall discussion will follow the film presentation with Rabin, a panel of researchers, State Lands representative, Assemblyman Gregg Hart, and representatives from the offices of U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal and State Rep. Monique Limon.

Discussion will cover what solutions both legislative and the field work and future plans are in the works for attacking the problem of leaking wellheads and the issues surrounding them.

There also will be a No-Waste Art exhibit in the theater lobby before and after the show, along with a Makers Mart with local environmentally friendly businesses showcasing their products.

For more information or to buy tickets, visit luketheatre.org.