Diving Deep into Science Communication: My Workflow Revealed
Release Date: 02/28/2024
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_outlineAndrew Lewin discusses his workflow for creating consistent science communication content on both his podcast and YouTube channel. He delves into how he manages to post three times a week for the audio podcast and two episodes a week for the YouTube channel. Join Andrew as he shares insights on staying consistent and productive in the world of science communication.
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Consistency is a fundamental aspect of science communication across various platforms such as podcasting, YouTube, and social media. Andrew Lewin stresses the significance of maintaining a regular schedule to cultivate a loyal audience and establish credibility in the field. Drawing from his own experience of producing multiple episodes per week for his podcast and YouTube channel, Andrew highlights the challenges and rewards of staying consistent.
Andrew's journey illustrates that consistency is not solely about frequency but also about quality. By consistently delivering valuable and engaging content, you can attract and retain listeners or viewers who rely on your expertise and insights. Whether you're sharing research findings, discussing conservation efforts, or providing educational content, maintaining a consistent presence helps you build trust and authority in your niche.
Consistency also plays a crucial role in audience engagement and growth. Regularly publishing content creates anticipation among your audience, encouraging them to return for more. Over time, this consistent presence can lead to increased visibility, word-of-mouth referrals, and a dedicated following. Andrew's advice to plan out content, record regularly, and publish consistently aligns with the idea that steady effort yields long-term results in science communication.
In conclusion, Andrew Lewin's emphasis on consistency underscores the importance of dedication and perseverance in science communication. By committing to a regular schedule, maintaining quality content, and engaging with your audience consistently, you can make a meaningful impact in sharing scientific knowledge, raising awareness about environmental issues, and inspiring action for a better future.
Planning and batching content creation can significantly enhance workflow and efficiency in science communication endeavors. As discussed in Andrew Lewin's podcast episode, having a structured plan and batching content creation can streamline the process and ensure consistent output.
Andrew stresses the importance of planning content in advance, whether starting a podcast, YouTube channel, or any other form of science communication. Taking time to brainstorm ideas, outline episodes, and schedule recordings helps you stay organized and focused on your goals. By setting aside dedicated time to plan content, you ensure a clear direction and purpose for each piece of content.
Batching content creation involves recording multiple episodes or videos in one sitting, which boosts efficiency and effectiveness. Andrew shares his experience of batch recording on weekends to free up time during the week for other tasks. By recording several episodes at once, you can maintain a creative flow and minimize interruptions, resulting in a more cohesive and consistent output.
Furthermore, batching content creation enhances content quality. With the opportunity to focus solely on creation without distractions, you can delve deeper into topics, conduct thorough research, and deliver engaging and informative content. Batching allows you to immerse yourself in the creative process and produce high-quality content that resonates with your audience.
In conclusion, planning and batching content creation are essential strategies for maintaining workflow and efficiency in science communication. By investing time in planning content and batching recording sessions, you can enhance the quality of your work, stay consistent with your output, and ultimately, make a greater impact in sharing your message with the world.
In this episode, Andrew Lewin emphasizes the importance of sharing knowledge and passion when embarking on a science communication journey. He highlights that the quality of content improves over time with practice and dedication. Andrew shares his experience of starting his podcast and YouTube channel, acknowledging that his early episodes were not perfect, but he continued to produce content consistently.
Andrew encourages aspiring science communicators to focus on their passion and share that enthusiasm with their audience. It's crucial to discuss topics you are knowledgeable about and comfortable with. By doing so, you can establish a connection with your audience and build credibility over time.
Throughout the episode, Andrew stresses that practice and dedication are key to enhancing content quality. While his early episodes were not his best work, through consistent effort and a commitment to sharing valuable information, he refined his skills and created more engaging content.
The message from this episode is clear: focus on sharing your passion and knowledge, and the quality of your content will naturally improve with time and practice. By staying dedicated to your craft and continuing to produce content, you can develop your skills as a science communicator and make a meaningful impact in your chosen field.