New Marine Protected Areas in Papua New Guinea: A Community-led Success Story
Release Date: 11/17/2023
Celebrating the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary: A New Era of Ocean Protection
How To Protect The Ocean
In this episode of the How to Protect the Ocean podcast, host Andrew Lewin shares exciting news about the establishment of the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary off the coast of California. This sanctuary is groundbreaking as it is the first of its kind in California to be co-managed in partnership with Indigenous peoples, specifically the Chumash people. Spanning 4,500 square miles, the sanctuary will prohibit oil drilling and protect numerous cultural resources, including the suspected remains of ancient submerged villages. The designation of this marine protected area...
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From Exploration to Ocean Solutions: How OceanX is Changing the Narrative on Ocean Conservation
How To Protect The Ocean
Dr. Vincent Pieribone, Co-CEO and Chief Science Officer of OceanX, discusses the organization's evolution and its shift in messaging. OceanX was founded by Ray and Mark Dalio, inspired by the need to celebrate and protect the ocean. Initially, the focus was on conducting exciting scientific expeditions and showcasing the beauty of the ocean through compelling media. However, as OceanX gained popularity and recognition, they began to receive requests from governments and organizations seeking solutions to ocean-related issues. This prompted a pivot in their mission to not only highlight the...
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Hurricanes, Politics, and Climate Change: Navigating the Stormy Waters
How To Protect The Ocean
Andrew Lewin discusses the intersection of politics and climate change, particularly in the context of recent hurricanes, Milton and Helene, that impacted Florida and surrounding areas. Andrew expresses frustration over the political responses to these natural disasters, highlighting how misinformation and conspiracy theories undermine genuine efforts to address climate change. He critiques the notion that the government is manipulating weather patterns to influence elections, arguing that such beliefs distract from the real issues, including the increasing intensity of hurricanes due to...
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From Academia to Entrepreneurship: Stephanie Manka's Journey in Wildlife Conservation
How To Protect The Ocean
Stephanie's Career Journey Early Interests and Education: Stephanie Manka, originally known as Stephanie Shuttler, began her academic journey with a major in biology, initially considering a career in medicine as a backup to her interest in acting. She discovered her passion for wildlife biology during a study abroad program in Africa, which opened her eyes to the possibility of a career in wildlife conservation. Academic Path: Stephanie pursued her PhD focusing on forest elephants and animal behavior, utilizing non-invasive genetics for her research. After completing her PhD, she undertook...
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4ocean: 40 Million Pounds and Counting - The Impact of 4ocean on Ocean Cleanup Efforts
How To Protect The Ocean
Alex Schulze grew up on a small island on the west coast of Florida, where he developed a passion for the ocean through activities like surfing, diving, and fishing. He initially pursued a degree in ocean engineering but later switched to business management and entrepreneurship after realizing he preferred hands-on work over desk jobs. Inspiration: The idea for 4ocean emerged during a surf trip to Bali, where Alex and his friends were confronted with the stark reality of plastic pollution on the beaches. This experience motivated them to find a way to fund ocean cleanup efforts. Initial...
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Inspiration to Action: How to Make a Difference for the Ocean
How To Protect The Ocean
How to Get Inspired and Follow Your Dreams to Act for the Blue Find Your Inspiration: Look for stories or examples of individuals and organizations making a positive impact on the ocean. For instance, the podcast host shares an inspiring interview with a co-founder of a successful organization that has made a significant global impact. This can motivate you to think about what you can do. Overcome Fear and Self-Doubt: Acknowledge that fear of rejection or failure is common. The host emphasizes that many people hesitate to pursue their dreams due to these fears. It's important to push through...
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She is talking about Oceanography on TikTok and has 98K followers!
How To Protect The Ocean
In this episode of the "How to Protect the Ocean" podcast, host Andrew Lewin interviews Dr. Paige Hoel, a recent PhD graduate in coastal eutrophication from UCLA and a popular science communicator on TikTok. With nearly 100,000 followers, Paige has gained recognition for her engaging storytelling about ocean science, particularly focusing on topics like the impacts of human activity on ocean health and the intricacies of coastal ecosystems. Paige shares her journey into oceanography, which began at a young age when she became fascinated by the ocean after watching a documentary about Dr....
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Hurricane Helen: The Impact of Climate Change on Intense Storms
How To Protect The Ocean
In this episode of the How to Protect the Ocean podcast, host Andrew Lewin addresses the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helen, which has caused significant property damage and claimed 52 lives across the U.S., particularly in Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina. The discussion centers around the implications of climate change on hurricane intensity and frequency, highlighting how storms are rapidly escalating in size and strength. Andrew also explores the current hurricane categorization system and the possibility of introducing a new category to better reflect the increasing severity of...
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Building Baby Steps: How Small Goals Lead to Big Changes in Ocean Conservation and Climate Action
How To Protect The Ocean
In this episode, we explore an engaging teaching exercise designed to help children understand the concepts of challenge and perseverance. A teacher sets out pieces of paper on the floor, guiding a young boy to give him a high five by stepping only on those papers. As the exercise progresses, the teacher gradually removes pieces of paper, increasing the distance the boy must jump to reach his goal. Each attempt illustrates the importance of overcoming obstacles and adapting to more challenging situations. The moral of the story emphasizes that while goals may become harder to reach,...
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Politics vs. Science: The Troubling Future of Canada's Cod Fishery
How To Protect The Ocean
In this episode, we delve into the ongoing challenges facing the cod fishery in Canada, drawing parallels between the current situation and the historical 1992 moratorium on cod fishing in Newfoundland and Labrador. The discussion highlights how political pressures have repeatedly overridden scientific advice regarding fishing quotas, leading to detrimental outcomes for the cod population. We examine the recent push by fisheries unions and indigenous groups to increase the fishing quota from 15,000 tons to 25,000 tons, and the subsequent decision to raise it only to 18,000 tons despite...
info_outlineIn this episode of the How to Protect the Ocean podcast, we have exciting news from Papua New Guinea. They have established two new marine protected areas spanning 16,000 square kilometers, making it one of the largest community-led efforts of its kind. The process took seven years and involved over 9,000 people from 100 indigenous communities. These protected areas are a significant victory for Papua New Guinea, indigenous peoples, and endangered marine species like sharks, rays, and turtles. This achievement sets an example of successful community and government partnership on the path to achieving the global 30 by 30 target.
Tune in to learn more about this remarkable conservation effort.
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In this episode of the How to Protect the Ocean podcast, the host discusses the importance of ratings and reviews in helping new listeners decide whether to tune in. Listeners are encouraged to leave ratings and reviews on platforms like Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other favorite podcast apps. The host specifically asks for feedback on why listeners enjoy the podcast and their overall experience. By sharing their thoughts, listeners can help others understand what to expect and potentially have the same positive experience.
To further engage with the audience, the host suggests reaching out on Instagram and sharing a screenshot of their rating and review. It is emphasized that the host does not take offense if listeners don't love the podcast, but they want to provide transparency and help potential listeners make informed decisions.
Moving on, the episode delves into the concept of contributing to ocean conservation commitments (OCCs) as a way for individuals to directly support marine protected areas (MPAs) and initiatives. OCCs are highlighted as a new funding model that has revolutionized conservation efforts. By financially supporting a specific square kilometer of an MPA for 20 years or more, individuals can have a direct impact on its management and success.
The host draws a parallel to platforms like Patreon, where creators update their supporters on project progress. Similarly, supporters of OCCs would want to stay informed about the management of the MPAs they are supporting. The host acknowledges that OCCs provide an opportunity for individuals who may feel frustrated or unable to support larger initiatives to contribute to ocean conservation.
However, the host also emphasizes the need for trust, fail-safes, and reporting mechanisms to ensure the effectiveness and transparency of the OCC model. The example of the island of Nui is mentioned as a case study to understand how the OCC model works and how people respond to supporting such initiatives.
Listeners are invited to share their thoughts on the OCC business model and encouraged to listen to the episode for more information. Contact information is provided for leaving comments, ratings, and reviews, which can help others understand the value of the podcast and why they should give it a listen.
Lastly, the episode celebrates the establishment of two new marine protected areas in Papua New Guinea. These MPAs cover an impressive 16,000 square kilometers, equivalent to 1.5 million hectares. Not only is this one of the largest MPAs in terms of size, but it is also significant because it was established through a community-led process.
The process of establishing these MPAs spanned seven years and involved the participation of over 9,000 people from more than 100 indigenous communities. This community-led approach ensures that local communities have rights and a say over their lands and seas. The establishment of these MPAs is a remarkable achievement and a testament to the efforts of everyone involved.
Furthermore, the creation of these MPAs in Papua New Guinea contributes to the global goal of protecting and conserving at least 30% of the Earth's land and seas by 2030, known as "30 by 30." While there is still progress to be made to reach this target, the establishment of these MPAs in Papua New Guinea is a step in the right direction.
Overall, the episode underscores the importance of marine protected areas and their positive impact on biodiversity and conservation efforts. It also highlights the significance of community involvement and the crucial role that indigenous peoples play in managing and safeguarding their lands and seas.