B Corp Business: From Motivation to Implementation: How Values Shape a Business
Release Date: 11/24/2023
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, Andrew interviews Bernie Geiss, Founder of Cove Contuinity Advisors Inc. and a representative from a B Corp business. They discuss the importance of the B Corp certification and how it impacts not only the environment but also local communities and employees. Bernie shares his company's focus on conserving relationships and the environment.
Tune in to learn more about the B Corp program and the positive impact it has on protecting the planet and oceans.
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Bernie Geiss had an unconventional educational journey. After dropping out of high school in grade 12, they embarked on a five-year travel adventure. During their travels, they had the opportunity to learn meditation from Buddhist teachers and renowned instructors in India. Upon returning to Canada, they sought a means to make a living and achieve self-sufficiency. Drawing from their background in studying philosophy, they found the topic of death to be comfortable and intriguing. This led them to view life insurance as a fascinating tool. One of the reasons they decided to pursue a career in life insurance was the fact that it did not require them to return to university or college. They also noted that professional designations in the life insurance industry were not offered through universities, which further motivated them to take shortcuts and attain these designations independently. Their goal was to build self-sufficiency for themselves and assist the individuals they worked with.
Bernie's exposure to meditation and their philosophical studies influenced their decision to enter the life insurance field. They perceived life insurance as an intriguing tool due to its connection to discussions about death, a topic they were comfortable with. Additionally, their strong desire for self-sufficiency and independence drove them to explore various career options. Ultimately, they chose life insurance as it provided an avenue for achieving self-sufficiency without the need for further formal education.
The speaker's pursuit of a career in life insurance was driven by their aspiration for self-sufficiency and the ability to align their work with their personal values and principles. They aimed to establish self-sufficiency for themselves and extend it to the individuals they served. Recognizing the value of life, disability, and critical illness insurance in times of crisis, such as the loss of a loved one or a disability, they believed these tools could provide crucial support. While the speaker acknowledged anecdotal stories of how insurance had positively impacted people's lives, the focus of the discussion was not on these stories. Instead, they emphasized how insurance allowed them to maintain their independence and avoid working for others. By becoming an independent broker, they were able to build their business based on their own philosophy and values, rather than conforming to someone else's. The speaker attributed their comfort with the concept of death to their background in studying philosophy, which further fueled their interest in life insurance. They chose this career path as they believed it offered a means to achieve self-sufficiency. Additionally, they expressed a desire to take shortcuts and avoid returning to university or college to obtain professional designations, as these were not available through universities anyway. In summary, the speaker's decision to pursue a career in life insurance was rooted in their pursuit of self-sufficiency and the opportunity to work in alignment with their own values and principles.