Dive into the Depths: Join Andrew Lewin on 'How to Protect the Ocean' – Your Gateway to Exclusive Ocean Insights! Explore the latest, uncharted realms of ocean science and conservation that you won't find anywhere else. Andrew takes you on an inspiring journey to uncover the hidden gems of oceanic discovery and initiatives. Tune in to discover how you can transform your life for a better ocean, one episode at a time.
The How To Protect The Ocean is your resource to keep you informed on the latest ocean news; teach you how to speak up for the ocean; and, how you can take action to live for a better ocean.
There is so much information on the ocean and the issues that are affecting it that it can be difficult to find optimism in the future of the ocean. Climate change, overfishing, plastic pollution, water pollution, and coastal development have altered the ocean in ways that have negatively changed the way we use it.
The repercussions of climate change, including the ominous specter of rising sea levels, the relentless march of warming ocean temperatures, and the ominous shadow of ocean acidification, have not only altered the very fabric of our coastlines but have also conjured fiercer storms and summoned floods with growing frequency. The fossil fuel industry may whisper in your ear that the situation is insurmountable, an inescapable fate. However, this podcast is here to unveil a different narrative, one that empowers you to take action. It illuminates the path to change by casting your vote for leaders committed to implementing climate-rescuing policies and by offering invaluable insights into how each of us can shrink our individual carbon footprint.
The grim reality of overfishing casts a long shadow, fueled by governmental shortcomings in the stewardship of both commercial and recreational fisheries. Within the delicate balance of our oceans, every fish population possesses a threshold - a point at which the relentless harvest of fishermen begins to erode their numbers. The management of these aquatic resources is a formidable task, as the elusive currents of the sea often defy easy tracking. Furthermore, the menace of illegal, unregulated, and unreported (IUU) fishing looms large in many nations, adding to the crisis.
Yet, a glimmer of hope shines through the depths. A beacon for responsible consumption emerges in the form of seafood programs, guiding conscientious individuals toward choices that safeguard our oceans. By heeding these programs, you not only savor the delights of sustainable seafood but also become an informed guardian of marine ecosystems.
The relentless scourge of plastic pollution has unleashed an epidemic of death upon the denizens of our oceans. It's a ruthless killer, claiming the lives of hundreds of thousands of marine mammals, majestic sharks, grandiose fish, gentle sea turtles, and the graceful sea birds that soar above. The malevolence of this crisis knows no bounds, with microplastics infiltrating even the remotest depths of the ocean and etching their presence along every coastline.
To mount a defense against this ecological cataclysm, the clarion call for action echoes on the international and national stages. It beckons governments far and wide to adopt resolute policies, wielding the power to outlaw the menace of single-use plastics and demanding the meticulous detoxification of our supply chains. In this grand battle to safeguard our seas, the fight against plastic pollution knows no borders.
The ominous specter of water pollution looms large, a consequence of our thoughtless disposal into the arteries of our planet – our streams, rivers, lakes, and oceans. This callous act reverberates, sending shockwaves through the intricate ecosystems of our coastal havens, where the likes of coral reefs, resilient mangroves, and swaying seagrasses thrive. But alas, this intrusion is not benign; it bears the capacity to corrode and dismantle these vital sanctuaries, the very lifeblood of countless fish and the steadfast guardians of our vulnerable shorelines.
Yet, amidst the unsettling tide of pollution, there emerges a ray of hope. Through individual resolve and visionary government policies harnessed with cutting-edge technology, we can stem this toxic deluge. Water treatment systems stand as stalwart guardians, armed with the ability to sift out the insidious nutrients that fuel destructive algal blooms. The power to heal our waters and preserve the sanctity of our coastal treasures lies within our grasp.
Coastal development, driven by human desires to construct homes or fortify the shoreline against erosion, represents a significant intervention in the natural order. Yet, these changes, while initially confined to the coastal zone, often send ripple effects that extend far beyond their original boundaries, casting a shadow of unintended consequences.
The repercussions of altering coastlines resonate through interconnected ecosystems, occasionally triggering a cascade of events that can inflict profound harm on distant areas. In doing so, this well-intentioned transformation can unwittingly imperil the lives and livelihoods of communities residing in the wake of its impact. It is a stark reminder that our actions along the coast carry a profound responsibility, not just to the immediate environment but to the greater web of life and society that depends upon it.
We own a lot of stuff and we love to buy stuff, but that stuff leads to a life of waste and builds on our impact on the oceans; therefore we need to move towards a net zero impact. In today's episode, I am going to provide you with an example of an organization that is moving towards net zero...the Toronto Zoo, and how the entire organization is working together to get to net zero. Wild For Life Podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3KfYm7q Spotify: https://spoti.fi/39axsRD Building an onlin...
Apr 29, 2022•16 min•Ep 1299•Transcript available on Metacast
Earth day has come and gone. It's a day to reflect on how we treat the planet and many people, workplaces, and so forth work to do a clean-up in parks or other areas within their communities, but does that do the trick? Is Earth day enough to help get people to act for a better planet? Today, you will be learning how you can leverage Earth Day to help the planet. Building an online community through digital storytelling 6-week course: https://bit.ly/3ivkHCx Sign up to find out about the audio Oc...
Apr 27, 2022•20 min•Transcript available on Metacast
We know the problems that many of the common single-use plastics cause in the ocean and we also know that there are plenty of people working to create policies to ban these plastics, but there are more microplastics being used and are entering the environment; therefore, Joe Barnes and Elisa Davey (graduates students from American University) are going to let you know about some of the microplastics and how they are getting into the ocean. Connect with Elisa Davey: Instagram: https://www.instagr...
Apr 25, 2022•56 min•Ep 1297•Transcript available on Metacast
When you hear about the issues that are facing the ocean you want to help and you will do whatever you can to help the ocean, but sometimes your effort, although well intended, does not hit right; therefore, in this episode, I am going to tell you how you can maximize your efforts by doing the best actions to save the ocean. Building an online community through digital storytelling 6-week course: https://bit.ly/3ivkHCx Sign up to find out about the audio Ocean Conservation Careers members group:...
Apr 22, 2022•27 min•Transcript available on Metacast
Countries first started to map the Arctic Ocean to show that their northern continental shelf extended far enough to lay claim to the world's northernmost oil deposits and it became a race for sovereignty, but researchers took advantage of the funding to discover and explore the Arctic Ocean bottom; therefore, the researchers were able to discover that the Arctic ocean bottom is changing and it is because of warming temperatures. Link to Article: https://www.mbari.org/arctic-seafloor-mapping-per...
Apr 18, 2022•18 min•Transcript available on Metacast
Graduating with a Marine Biology degree is a great accomplishment and new graduates are ready to start looking for a job with eagerness, but they quickly realize that there aren't many jobs available for new graduates...with little experience; therefore, I am going to tell you how you can stand out from the crowd and get a job after graduating. Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3NmYvsI Connect with Speak Up For Blue: Website: https://bit.ly/3fOF3Wf Instagram: https://bit.ly/3rIaJSG Twitter: https:/...
Apr 15, 2022•27 min•Ep 1293•Transcript available on Metacast
Building a connection to the ocean is crucial to getting people interested in conserving the ocean. Marine theme parks that hold orcas, dolphins, seals, and sea lions are often advertised as ways to build the connection between people and the ocean; however, what cost are we willing to spend on building the connection. Marine mammals are not healthy in captivity and it's time that we end this experiment. Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3NmYvsI Connect with Speak Up For Blue: Website: https://bit....
Apr 13, 2022•17 min•Transcript available on Metacast
Smoking has been banned in most indoor public buildings and restaurants to increase the health of all people forcing smokers to move their habits outside but smokers now discard their cigarette butts on the street where they end up in rivers, lakes, and oceans. Therefore, more policies need to be implemented and enforced so that we keep the oceans clean. Links: 1) https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0048969721034550 2) https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S016...
Apr 11, 2022•20 min•Ep 1291•Transcript available on Metacast
Erin Smith, Chief Sole Officer, joins me on the podcast to discuss her journey navigating the tech world to taking over and growing a thriving social enterprise that cleans up flip flops that are washed up on the beach and pay artisans to create beautiful animal pieces from them. Buy one of their pieces and use the code SPEAKUP for 15% off. If you spend more than $250, you will receive a bracelet made by Masai women. Connect with Ocean Sole Africa: Website: https://oceansoleonline.com/ Instagram...
Apr 08, 2022•47 min•Transcript available on Metacast
There were two memes that inspired me to think about how we, as marine biologists, promote our field to aspiring marine biologists. We tell everyone that being a marine biologist is a great profession and brings great adventure, but we leave out some details that may help younger people make a valuable decision as to whether they should pursue their passion. It seems as though we are misleading aspiring marine biologists. Therefore, this episode was created to help you understand the challenges ...
Apr 06, 2022•22 min•Ep 1289•Transcript available on Metacast
A recent oil spill that covers 18,000 square meters of the coast of Lima, Peru may result in a fine of $37 million dollars, but is it enough? The Spanish company (Repsol) involved is not new to these offenses as it is the fourth time an oil spill has occurred in the area. Oil companies are made of money and they may not be happy about forking over millions of dollars to pay a fine, but they can afford it. I think they should be sanctioned where they cannot do business for months or even years as...
Apr 04, 2022•15 min•Transcript available on Metacast
Pat Shnettler joins me on the podcast to tell me the story of what led him to co-found 12 Tides, a sustainable seafood business that sells nutrient-rich kelp chips to people who want a tasty snack that is ocean safe. Buy 12 Tides Kelp chips here: https://12tides.com/ Connect with 12 Tides: https://www.instagram.com/12tides/ Connect with Speak Up For Blue: Website: https://bit.ly/3fOF3Wf Instagram: https://bit.ly/3rIaJSG Twitter: https://bit.ly/3rHZxpc...
Apr 01, 2022•41 min•Transcript available on Metacast
Have you ever had someone say to you that they are over the bans on plastic straws or changing their behaviour to help the ocean is too hard? It's a frustrating experience, but it tells us that people are not educated on ocean issues and may not want to be. However, we need to make sure the right information is out there so that people who want to be educated on the ocean can do their part. In this episode, I discuss how we can change our SciComm approach to blend in better on digital platforms ...
Mar 30, 2022•23 min•Ep 1286•Transcript available on Metacast
We often wait too late until we change the bad things we do in society. Climate change is wreaking havoc on our planet and we are still debating on whether it's real. Now, a study showed that microplastics are in the human bloodstream so are we going to do something more radical about plastic pollution so this doesn't become a bigger problem than the crisis it already is? Link to article: https://bit.ly/3iGHWK7 Connect with Speak Up For Blue: Website: https://bit.ly/3fOF3Wf Instagram: https://bi...
Mar 28, 2022•15 min•Transcript available on Metacast
You grow up wanting to be marine biologists and pursue the tough road through their undergraduate and graduate careers, but after you graduate, you can’t find a job, therefore you get extremely frustrated and sad, or maybe worse, you give up. In this episode, I am going to show you why there is hope for you and your career by offering you one piece of advice that helped me when I was in your position. Join the Marine Science & Conservation Careers Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/3NmYvsI Connect w...
Mar 25, 2022•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast
Many scientists love communicating their science to the public and they know that science communication is the key to improving conservation, but when they do SciComm they tend to not be their authentic selves causing their audience to disengage. Therefore, in order for SciComm to be effective scientists must connect with their audience by being themselves. In this episode, I provide advice and reasons why you should be yourself and the benefits that go along with it when doing SciComm. Sign up ...
Mar 23, 2022•26 min•Ep 1283•Transcript available on Metacast
Mass bleaching is happening more often for longer periods of time every year causing more damage than in previous years and it looks as though coral reefs will change in composition unless something is done to help them adapt, but climate change is not a switch that can be turned on and off. Therefore, certain adaptations will need to be taken in for the survival of coral reefs as we know them. In this episode, I am going to tell you about a study that tests whether corals can be trained to tole...
Mar 21, 2022•21 min•Transcript available on Metacast
Climate change is rearing its ugly head in many forms, including wildfires, mass coral bleaching, major glaciers and ice sheets melting, and an increase in major storms. the damage of climate change consequences are costing governments billions upon billions of dollars forcing the same governments to develop policies to help curb greenhouse gas emissions. The governments are also calling on individuals to change the way they behave to also help reduce their footprint. One change is to buy an ele...
Mar 18, 2022•27 min•Transcript available on Metacast
Indigenous conservation success may not be the same for Western scientists and conservationists, yet we often approach conservation in Indigenous communities with our own preconceived notions of conservation success. Angelo Villagomez joins me on the podcast to discuss what Indigenous-led conservation means and how it is important to include it in marine conservation. Link for Angelo: Twitter: https://bit.ly/3tkzerf Website: https://www.angelovillagomez.com/ Website: https://www.americanprogress...
Mar 16, 2022•44 min•Ep 1280•Transcript available on Metacast
Dr. Nathan Robinson was part of a sea turtle research team when the team discovered that one of the sea turtles had a straw stuck up its nose. The entire ordeal was recorded and the video went viral on YouTube and contributed to the global ban the plastic straw campaign. The virality of the video changed Nathan's future career as he now focuses on how video can help identify deep-sea creatures and study the behaviour of oceanic animals. However, the one thing that doesn't get talked about enough...
Mar 14, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Transcript available on Metacast
Science communication is an important part of marine conservation. I dedicated my career to SciComm because I feel that telling the public of what is happening to the Ocean is crucial to changing behaviours to live for a better ocean. However, there are certain times where I have an smh (Shake My Head) moment as a small number of people use certain language that will certainly offend a group of people. In this episode, I will tell what those comparisons are and why you should avoid using them wh...
Mar 11, 2022•14 min•Transcript available on Metacast
Marine science papers can be hard to interpret if you are not a scientist so I decided to take you through how to interpret them and where there could be some room for error. You may or may not have read a marine science journal article in the past, but there are certain things you need to know before you read them. First off, marine science searches for the truth using the scientific process. The studies can be proven wrong down the road, but the studies go through a rigorous review process bef...
Mar 09, 2022•20 min•Transcript available on Metacast
The relationship between Indigenous people and the government of Canada is terrible. the relationship with Indigenous people and commercial fishers is also terrible, especially over the past couple of years when the Mi'kmaq nation started up fishing in Nova Scotia. There has definitely been a need to repair the relationships which will take time and a lot of effort. One way to repair these relationships is to conduct a study that incorporates all parties at the same table. The Apoqnmatulti'k pro...
Mar 07, 2022•22 min•Transcript available on Metacast
I know you were expecting an episode on Marine Science and Conservation today; however, I am quite distracted by the news of the invasion of Ukraine this past week. I don't feel very inspired to podcast after watching the videos online of the war. So I decided to take a week off to get my mental health in check so I can come back next week with some great energy and content.
Mar 01, 2022•2 min•Transcript available on Metacast
Julie Kuchepatov is seeking to fight gender inequality within the seafood industry. She launched the Conch podcast where she interviews women at various levels of the seafood supply chain to tell their stories and show how women can be successful in the seafood industry. I chat with Julie to talk about how she started her organization, Seafood and Gender Equality, and launched her podcast. This is an interview you don't want to miss as Julie is such a great storyteller. Connect with Julie: Websi...
Feb 25, 2022•49 min•Transcript available on Metacast
In the last episode, I talked about a citizen science project in the Southern Atlantic Ocean targeted at recreational fishers. I'm sure some of you wanted to join that program because let's face it, it was a fun program that saved sharks. There are thousands of citizen science projects around the world and there is a good chance that one of those projects is in your area. I provide tips on how to choose a citizen science program that is right for you. Links: Citizen Science Association: https://...
Feb 23, 2022•22 min•Transcript available on Metacast
Sharks in the southern Atlantic ocean are being protected through a citizen science program with sport fishers who regularly target sharks. Why is this a big deal you ask? Previous to this program, sport fishers were killing the sharks that they caught due to the sharks' bad reputation. A study quantified the number of sharks killed per year as 18 sharks were caught per trip (on average), which equated to 3000 sharks per year (approximately). One sport fisher finally realized the devastation tha...
Feb 21, 2022•17 min•Ep 1273•Transcript available on Metacast
A megaproject is proposed to move forward to build an 800 metre long pier for the island of Cozumel to accommodate four more cruise lines per day (in addition to the current 3 cruise lines per day). The pier will also be designated as a home port leading to a series of condos that will be built for cruise staff. The proposed megaproject is a risk to the local coral reefs for which most tourists come to visits and will further restrict beach access to the local people. Olivia and German join me o...
Feb 18, 2022•54 min•Transcript available on Metacast
The Ocean Clean Up Project recently released a video showing a trawl net releasing plastic pollution that it supposedly hauled from the ocean and released on the deck of a shipping vessel. However, there seemed to be some things that did not add up in the video. There was no bycatch from the fishing net used to clean up the plastic. The plastic was intact, which is very different than most of the plastic found at sea (microplastic), and the plastic was clean (almost looking brand new). No biofou...
Feb 16, 2022•18 min•Transcript available on Metacast
I saw a video today about how the generation known as Generation Z is battling two different lifestyles. There is the progressive lifestyle that is led by the likes of people like Greta Thunberg and there is the excessive lifestyle that is led by the likes of people such as Kylie Jenner. The former lifestyle is worried about the planer while the latter lifestyle is worried about the shallow parts of life (looks and money). We all want to think that we are living the progressive lifestyle, but we...
Feb 15, 2022•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast