Influencing Change: The Strategies of Climate Influencers
Release Date: 11/08/2023
Ontario Weakens Species Protections | Hawaii’s Climate Fee | Deep Sea Mining Clash | Frilled Shark Expansion
How To Protect The Ocean
Endangered species protection in Ontario is under threat as the provincial government proposes Bill 5, repealing the Endangered Species Act in favor of weaker legislation. Host Andrew Lewin breaks down what these changes mean for biodiversity, habitat protection, and public accountability, and shares how Ontarians can respond through the Environmental Registry. Climate action in Hawaii is taking a bold step forward with a new tourism climate fee aimed at offsetting ecological damage from visitors. Meanwhile, an ancient species—the frilled shark—has been spotted off the coast of Chile,...
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Deep Sea Mining in U.S. Waters: A New Era of Ocean Extraction
How To Protect The Ocean
Deep sea mining in the U.S. is entering a new chapter after a recent executive order signed by former President Donald Trump authorized exploration and extraction not only in U.S. Exclusive Economic Zones but potentially in international waters. This move marks a dramatic shift in ocean policy and raises serious questions about compliance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which governs activities beyond national jurisdiction. The risks of deep-sea mining are substantial. From disturbing unique and fragile ecosystems on the ocean floor to triggering global...
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Coral Bleaching Across 82 Countries: Why This Global Event Is the Deadliest Yet
How To Protect The Ocean
Coral bleaching is not just a temporary event—it’s a climate emergency that can unfold over years. In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, host Andrew Lewin dives deep into the devastating history of global coral bleaching events, revealing how the fourth and current one (2023–2025) is affecting over 80% of coral reefs worldwide. From the Great Barrier Reef to the Caribbean, bleaching is now a global phenomenon threatening biodiversity, food security, and coastal protection. Climate change and rising ocean temperatures are causing corals to lose the vital algae that keep them alive....
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Octopus Ocean Book: Exploring the Genius Minds Beneath the Waves with Mark Leiren-Young
How To Protect The Ocean
Octopus intelligence is nothing short of extraordinary—and in this episode, we dive deep with award-winning author Mark Leiren-Young to explore the surprising minds, behaviors, and conservation challenges of one of the ocean’s most elusive animals. Inspired by his latest book Octopus Ocean: Geniuses of the Deep, Mark shares jaw-dropping stories about tool-using octopuses, their ability to dream, their strange biology (think blue blood and donut-shaped brains), and why these misunderstood creatures deserve our awe and protection. Octopus conservation is becoming a hot topic thanks to a...
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US Government Rolls Back Environmental Protections for Energy Drilling
How To Protect The Ocean
Energy policy shifts in the U.S. are sparking concern as the government rolls back environmental regulations to fast-track oil and gas drilling. In this episode, we examine how these rollbacks could jeopardize ecosystems, especially marine environments, and undermine efforts to transition to clean energy sources. Environmental protections have long served as safeguards for biodiversity and climate resilience, but these new changes prioritize short-term energy gains over long-term sustainability. We discuss the potential consequences for marine protected areas, public health, and climate...
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Defunding Science Due To DEI: What It Means for Canada
How To Protect The Ocean
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) have become integral components of Canadian science funding. In this episode, we explore Pierre Poilievre's plan to strip funding from research programs that incorporate so-called "woke" policies like EDI. We examine how EDI policies are currently embedded in major grants from NSERC, SSHRC, CIHR, and more, and discuss what could be at stake for Canada's research innovation if these changes move forward. Pierre Poilievre's proposal has sparked a broader debate within the Canadian academic and scientific communities. Many fear that removing EDI requirements...
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US Opens Up Marine Protected Areas to Fishing: What This Means for Ocean Conservation
How To Protect The Ocean
Fisheries: In this episode, we see the surprising news that the U.S. government is opening up parts of its marine protected areas (MPAs) to commercial fishing. This rollback of protections in the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument has sparked debate about the future of sustainable fisheries and marine biodiversity. Ocean: We explore what this decision signals for global ocean governance and why it could undermine years of conservation progress. Focusing on political motivations and international implications, we ask the hard questions: Are MPAs truly protected if they can be so...
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AI-Powered Conservation: The Future of Coral Reef Protection with Andy Ridley
How To Protect The Ocean
Great Barrier Reef bleaching is accelerating at a dangerous pace, and yet, hope rises from a unique blend of technology, data, and collective action. In this powerful episode, Andrew talks to Andy Ridley, the founding CEO of Citizens of the Reef, about how they are building one of the most ambitious citizen science movements on the planet. They discuss how climate change rapidly degrades one of the world’s natural wonders and how empowering ordinary people to contribute data can shift the tide toward reef recovery. Citizen science plays a key role in understanding reef health on a massive...
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How McKnsea Balances Her Marine Career and Content Creation to Inspire Ocean Advocacy
How To Protect The Ocean
Ocean conservation is more than a job—it’s a calling. In this episode, we sit down with McKenzie Margereth, known online as McKnsea, who shares her inspiring journey of making bold career decisions in marine biology while becoming a powerful voice for science communication on social media. Her story highlights the challenges and triumphs of balancing a full-time role in marine science with a passion for educating the public about the ocean. Science communication becomes a lifeline when it’s driven by love for the sea. McKenzie opens up about the emotional and professional toll of...
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Coral Restoration In Trouble: Why Saving Reefs Takes More Planting Coral
How To Protect The Ocean
Coral restoration is often seen as a beacon of hope for our oceans—but are we putting too much faith in it? In this episode, we dive into why coral bleaching has become an annual event, especially on the Great Barrier Reef, and whether restoration can keep up with the pace of climate change. We explore what recurring stress events mean for the long-term survival of reefs and how restoration, while helpful, might be insufficient if larger systemic issues like warming seas and pollution aren’t addressed. Restoration is discussed not just as a solution, but as a strategy that needs to be...
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.