Influencing Change: The Strategies of Climate Influencers
Release Date: 11/08/2023
Climate Action When Governments Won't Help
How To Protect The Ocean
In this episode of the "How to Protect the Ocean" podcast, host Andrew Lewin discusses the pressing issue of climate change and the challenges posed by government inaction. With the recent political shifts in North America, particularly the incoming administration in the United States, there are concerns about the rollback of environmental regulations and policies that protect the ocean and climate. Key points include: Government Inaction: The episode highlights the potential consequences of a new U.S. administration that may prioritize economic interests over environmental protection,...
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Orcas Playing with Their Food: Wearing Salmon on Their Head
How To Protect The Ocean
Orcas playing with their food is not a new behavior; however, wearing salmon on their heads is not usual. In this episode of the How to Protect the Ocean podcast, host Andrew Lewin discusses a fascinating phenomenon involving orcas wearing salmon as hats. A recent photograph captured an orca in Puget Sound sporting a salmon on its head, reminiscent of similar behaviors observed in the 1980s when orcas from the southern resident population also donned salmon hats. Lewin explores the potential reasons behind this behavior, suggesting it could be a playful act, a celebration of a successful...
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Leave the seashells on the Seashore
How To Protect The Ocean
Seashells on the seashore are being taken in large quantities and it's increasing erosion along beaches. A new study reveals the tourism industry is taking too many seashells along coastlines in Costa Rica. In this episode of the How to Protect the Ocean podcast, host Andrew Lewin discusses the environmental impact of taking seashells from coastal areas, particularly in Costa Rica. He highlights a growing crisis where the removal of seashells, driven by tourism, destabilizes beaches, accelerates erosion, and harms marine ecosystems. Seashells are essential for various marine species,...
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Abandoned Fish Farms in Greece: Ghost Farm Clean Up by Healthy Seas
How To Protect The Ocean
Abandoned fish farms in Greece are plaguing the coastline with marine debris; however, Healthy Seas is working to clean up some of the sites and raise awareness for support to tell the Greek government that fish farm owners should be responsible for cleaning up their sites once the business is done operating. In this episode of the "How to Protect the Ocean" podcast, host Andrew Lewin discusses the pressing issue of ghost farms—abandoned fish farms that are polluting oceans, particularly in Greece. The episode highlights the work of the organization Healthy Seas, which is actively...
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Solar Panel Efficiency Improvements Mimicking Giant Clam Algae
How To Protect The Ocean
In this episode of the "How to Protect the Ocean" podcast, host Andrew Luan discusses the fascinating connection between giant clams and the efficiency of solar panels. He highlights the vibrant colors of giant clams, which are not only visually stunning but also play a crucial role in coral reef ecosystems, particularly in the Southeast Pacific. The key focus is on the algae, specifically zooxanthellae, that live within the soft tissue of giant clams. These algae absorb sunlight and are essential for the clams' survival, as they facilitate photosynthesis and contribute to the clam's calcium...
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Orcas vs. Whale Sharks: A New Apex Predator Dynamic
How To Protect The Ocean
In this episode of the How to Protect the Ocean podcast, host Andrew Lewin discusses the fascinating behavior of orcas, particularly their recent predation on whale sharks, the largest fish in the ocean. Orcas, known as apex predators, have been observed hunting whale sharks in the Gulf of California. This behavior was documented in a new study published in the journal Frontiers of Marine Science, which includes video footage and images of the attacks. The orcas target the whale sharks by striking their underbelly and grabbing their pectoral fins, aiming for the nutrient-rich liver,...
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Buy Now The Shopping Conspiracy: A Marine Biologist Reviews
How To Protect The Ocean
Buy Now: The Shopping Conspiracy is a documentary that was released on Netflix a week before Black Friday. The movie reveals the shocking truth about how large corporations manipulate consumers to increase their profits at the peril of the consumer's wallet and the planet's health. In this episode of the How to Protect the Ocean podcast, host Andrew Lewin discusses the recently released Netflix documentary, Buy Now: The Shopping Conspiracy. The episode focuses on the themes of consumerism, overconsumption, and their environmental impacts, especially in the context of the holiday shopping...
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Rebuilding Fisheries in our Oceans: The Challenges and Progress in Canadian Fisheries Management
How To Protect The Ocean
Rebuilding fisheries requires information on fisheries stock assessments for each species. Collecting that data is not easy; it takes time and money to do. The Canadian Government is mandated to gather information on the 200 commercially fished species, but it's lacking. Not to worry. Ocean Canada has taken on the burden to collect and presenting the fisheries information in their Annual Fisheries Audit. In this episode of the How to Protect the Ocean podcast, host Andrew Lewin interviews Rebecca Schijns, a fisheries scientist with Oceana Canada, to discuss the findings of the 8th Annual...
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How Do We Stop Over Fishing? Fishing Transparency is a Good Start
How To Protect The Ocean
How do we stop over fishing? Fishing transparency is a great start. Many fisheries around the world lack the data to provide managers with the information to make better management decisions. The Coalition of Fisheries Transparency aims to work with their partners to help gain more information on each fishery. Maisie Pigeon, the Director for the Coalition, koins Andrew Lewin to discuss how transparency is made possible for fisheries. In this episode of the "How to Protect the Ocean" podcast, host Andrew Lewin discusses fishing transparency with Maisie Pidgeon, the director of the...
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Solar Farm on the Ocean : The Pros and Cons of China's Largest Offshore Solar Project
How To Protect The Ocean
The largest solar farm on the ocean is now running off the coast of China as the country continues to invest in ways to support its sustainable energy needs. In the "How to Protect the Ocean" podcast, host Andrew Lewin discusses China's deployment of the world's largest open sea offshore solar panel farm. The project, developed by CHN Energy, spans 1,223 hectares (3,023 acres) and is located 8 kilometers off the coast of China. It aims to generate one gigawatt of renewable energy and is notable for its innovative use of offshore solar technology. Pros of the Offshore Solar Project ...
info_outlineIn this episode of the How to Protect the Ocean podcast, host Andrew Lewin discusses the importance of influencers and celebrities speaking up for the ocean and climate change. He starts off by highlighting Kim Kardashian's new product, a bra where part of the proceeds go to 1% for the planet. Andrew emphasizes that the involvement of celebrities in climate change discussions is significant and explores why it matters. He reflects on a time when climate change wasn't a widely discussed topic and emphasizes the role of social media in raising awareness.
Tune in to learn more about the power of celebrity influence and how we can all contribute to protecting the ocean.
Link to whitepaper: https://www.climatecommunications.earth/whitepaper-articles/influencing-the-influencers
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According to the podcast episode, social media algorithms have a bias towards short-form and entertaining content, which limits the visibility of real-world examples and work on campaigns for social and environmental justice. The transcript highlights that social media platforms often prioritize content that is more about screen time and entertainment value, while limiting the visibility of stories and solutions related to injustices. As a result, important information and projects related to social and environmental justice may not be widely promoted or shared on these platforms.
The episode emphasizes the need to elevate those who engage in local grassroots activism and share real-world examples and work. It suggests that algorithms do not prioritize the sharing of information on specific projects and injustices, potentially hindering the dissemination of important information. This limitation is seen as problematic because some of these stories and projects may be difficult to digest but need to be addressed and changed.
The transcript also highlights the imbalance in how online activism is valued higher than offline activism. Grassroots organizers and organizations have relevant data and case studies showcasing how injustices were fought and what was demanded, but social media platforms may limit the visibility of these stories and solutions. This suggests that the algorithms used by social media platforms may not effectively promote or prioritize content related to social and environmental justice, potentially hindering the impact of grassroots activism and the dissemination of important information.
Many climate influencers rely on advertising and promotional agreements to fund their work and support their teams and families. The podcast transcript mentions that these influencers, including the host himself, share and promote product ads to secure funding models that sustain their work. Advertising or promotional agreements provide financial support for their efforts, allowing them to fund their teams and even support their families. This suggests that the role of an eco-influencer has evolved beyond simply informing people about sustainable products. It now includes elements of entrepreneurship, storytelling, and thought leadership. However, finding businesses or companies willing to fund climate-related messages can be challenging, as it is not always seen as a profitable endeavor. This difficulty in securing funding is similar to the host's experience in podcasting, where finding a business model that works and obtaining sponsorships from sustainable companies is a constant struggle. Nonetheless, advertising and promotional agreements remain crucial for many climate influencers to continue their important work in raising awareness and advocating for action on climate change.
According to the episode, the role of an eco-influencer has evolved beyond simply promoting sustainable products. In addition to advocating for more sustainable choices, eco-influencers now engage in entrepreneurship, storytelling, and thought leadership. This means that they not only promote sustainable products but also collaborate with academic institutions to communicate climate science and work with organizations to drive their message. They utilize various forms of media, such as videos, photos, and illustrations, to effectively communicate their message and engage their audience. This evolution in the role of eco-influencers highlights the importance of raising awareness about climate change and inspiring action, rather than solely focusing on product promotion.