Great White Shark Populations Have Interesting DNA
How To Protect The Ocean
Great white shark DNA is one of the most puzzling mysteries in marine biology. Recent research has revealed that despite being one species, great whites have split into three distinct genetic groups across the globe. What’s even stranger: their nuclear DNA and mitochondrial DNA tell conflicting stories, leaving scientists scratching their heads. Shark philopatry—the tendency of females to return to their birthplace to give birth—adds another layer to this mystery. While philopatry has been well documented in species like lemon sharks and blacktip sharks, great whites show patterns that...
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How Scientists Can Become Advocates
How To Protect The Ocean
Advocacy for scientists is a skill that can transform how research impacts the real world. In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, host Andrew Lewin reflects on an article by Melissa Varga from the Union of Concerned Scientists that encourages scientists to step into advocacy roles. Andrew shares why many researchers hesitate to speak out, the cultural challenges within academia, and how advocacy can be integrated into a science career without sacrificing credibility. Ocean conservation also depends on people outside the scientific community. Andrew emphasizes that anyone, scientist or...
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Sustainable Fashion with Courtney Barriger: Protecting the Ocean Through Clothing Choices
How To Protect The Ocean
Sustainable fashion is more than a trend, it is a movement that connects what we wear to the health of our planet. In this episode, Andrew Lewin speaks with Courtney Barriger, CEO of Holding Court Inc., about how clothing design can reduce waste, prevent microplastic pollution, and empower people to make responsible choices. The discussion reveals the hidden costs of fast fashion, from synthetic fibers shedding microplastics into waterways to the massive environmental toll of textile waste. Ocean protection is at the heart of this conversation. Courtney shares her journey of creating stylish,...
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Terracycle: Recycling Everything from Plastics to Global Waste Solutions
How To Protect The Ocean
Terracycle is proving that almost anything can be recycled, from cigarette butts to ocean plastics, transforming how the world thinks about waste. In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, Andrew Lewin speaks with Tom Szaky, the founder and CEO of TerraCycle, to explore how his company is creating global recycling programs that redefine sustainability and consumer responsibility. TerraCycle has become a leader in connecting corporations and individuals to solutions that keep waste out of landfills and oceans. This conversation dives into the economics of recycling, why certain materials are...
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Shark Meat Fed To Students: Brazil’s Hidden School Lunch Scandal
How To Protect The Ocean
Shark Meat Fed To Students in Brazil’s public institutions has sparked outrage after Mongabay uncovered thousands of tons of mislabeled shark meat, including endangered species like angelsharks, being served in schools, hospitals, prisons, and elderly care centers. Labeled as “cação” or “angel fish,” these meals were consumed by thousands of unsuspecting Brazilians, raising urgent concerns for both public health and ocean conservation. Shark meat in Brazil carries dangerous risks due to high levels of mercury and arsenic that accumulate in these apex predators. Scientists warn that...
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Oceana Working to Protect Endangered Species: How Legal Action Safeguards Whales and Sea Turtles
How To Protect The Ocean
Oceana, working to protect endangered species, is at the heart of this powerful episode featuring Tara Brock, an environmental lawyer advocating for ocean life. Tara unpacks how the Endangered Species Act is used to protect humpback whales and sea turtles, and how legal tools like this remain essential to ocean conservation. As threats like ship strikes, climate change, and bycatch continue to rise, Tara explains why this legislation is still one of the strongest protections we have—and how it’s enforced. Throughout the episode, we explore Oceana’s litigation strategies, real-world wins...
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Starting an Environmental Nonprofit: The Balean Founders Story with Bart Oor and Sander Brienen
How To Protect The Ocean
Starting an environmental nonprofit often begins with a vision and the determination to make a difference, but it also comes with challenges in funding, community support, and long-term sustainability. In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, Bart Oor and Sander Brienen share the story of how they created Balean, a platform designed to help independent projects and nonprofits access the support they need to thrive. Independent changemakers are reshaping how conservation work is done. Bart and Sander explain the obstacles they faced, how collaboration shaped their journey, and why Balean is...
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Pacific Islands Marine Monument Rollback and Court Reversal Explained
How To Protect The Ocean
Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument: For over a decade, these waters stood as one of the largest no-take zones on Earth, safeguarding corals, fish, and migratory species. But on day one of his presidency, Donald Trump erased the U.S. commitment to 30x30 and soon after issued Proclamation 10918, opening parts of the monument to commercial fishing. Marine conservation at risk: The rollback sparked lawsuits and reignited the debate over whether U.S. marine protections are too vulnerable to political swings. Just two weeks ago, a court overturned Trump’s proclamation on a...
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Less than 400 Left: How Media Coverage Shapes the Fate of North Atlantic Right Whales
How To Protect The Ocean
Less than 400 left — that’s how many North Atlantic right whales remain in the world. These critically endangered whales are at the center of an urgent conservation story, but how the media communicates about them plays a powerful role in shaping public awareness and action. In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, Andrew Lewin sits down with Dr. Marcus Reamer, a new PhD graduate in science communication, to explore how newspapers and digital outlets covered right whale crises over the past decade. Science communication emerges as a critical conservation tool, with Dr. Reamer sharing...
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Managing Fishing Vessels: Uncovering the Hidden Ownership of Industrial Fleets
How To Protect The Ocean
Managing fishing vessels goes far beyond tracking where a boat is registered. In this episode, we dive into Oceana’s Beyond the Flag report to explore how large-scale fishing vessels are often flagged in one country but owned in another, creating dangerous loopholes that allow illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing to thrive. This legal and beneficial ownership opacity undermines ocean governance, drains resources from coastal nations, and hides the true power behind global fishing operations. Managing fishing vessels transparently is essential for sustainable ocean futures. We...
info_outlineThis episode of the How to Protect the Ocean podcast delves into the water crisis plaguing the Hawaiian islands. The discussion explores the impact of climate change, military activities, and tourism on the dwindling water resources. Locals express their concerns about the crisis, highlighting worries about farming, water quality, and quantity. Listeners are encouraged to understand the severity of the situation and consider their own role in preserving water resources in Hawaii.
Link to article: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/hawaii-water-crisis-climate-change/
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Hawaii's Water Crisis: A Multi-Faceted Challenge
Hawaii, renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and pristine waters, is currently grappling with a severe water crisis. This crisis is not the result of a single factor but rather a combination of various issues, including climate change, military contamination, and the impacts of tourism.
Climate Change:
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Hawaii's water crisis is worsened by the effects of climate change. Altered weather patterns have led to prolonged droughts, diminishing the crucial rainfall needed to replenish freshwater sources on the islands.
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The islands heavily depend on rainfall to recharge freshwater sources, which then percolate through the mountains into aquifers. However, with changing climate patterns, the frequency and intensity of rainfall have decreased, affecting the availability of potable water for residents.
Military Contamination:
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The presence of the U.S. military in Hawaii has also played a role in the water crisis. Military activities, such as the storage of jet fuel and chemicals like PFAS, have resulted in the contamination of water sources on the islands.
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Incidents of jet fuel leaks and chemical contamination have led to health issues for residents, including birth defects and mental health concerns. The military's inadequate containment systems have failed to prevent these harmful substances from entering the water supply.
Tourism Impact:
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The thriving tourism industry in Hawaii has further strained the already limited water resources. Hotels, resorts, and tourist attractions consume significant amounts of freshwater for various purposes, including wave pools and landscaping.
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The development associated with tourism, such as construction and infrastructure projects, has caused water contamination through sediment runoff and rerouting of water sources. This has impacted the quality and quantity of freshwater available to local communities.
Conclusion:
The convergence of climate change, military contamination, and tourism activities has created a complex water crisis in Hawaii. Addressing this crisis requires a multi-faceted approach that includes sustainable water management practices, stricter regulations on contamination, and a reevaluation of the tourism industry's water usage. Preserving Hawaii's precious freshwater resources is essential not only for environmental conservation but also for the well-being and livelihoods of the island's residents.
The water crisis in Hawaii not only poses environmental challenges but also significantly impacts the health and well-being of the local Hawaiian population. The episode highlights how contamination from sources like leaking jet fuel and chemicals used as fire deterrents has led to serious health issues among residents. People have reported birth defects, mental health problems, and physical health issues due to the compromised water quality. The situation is exacerbated by the fact that many Hawaiians have lived on the islands for generations and have never had to deal with such health risks before.
The emotional toll on the local population is evident, with individuals expressing their deep connection to the land and their reluctance to leave despite the health risks. Displacement due to health concerns or loss of land further adds to the distress faced by the Hawaiian community. The episode underscores the injustice of indigenous people being forced to leave their ancestral homes due to environmental degradation caused by external factors like tourism and military activities.
The water crisis in Hawaii serves as a stark reminder of the broader impacts of environmental issues on human health and well-being. It highlights the need for stronger regulations, better management practices, and increased accountability to protect the health of local communities. The episode emphasizes the importance of considering the human aspect of environmental crises and the necessity of prioritizing the well-being of indigenous populations in conservation efforts.
To address the water crisis in Hawaii and ensure sustainable water usage, implementing better management practices, enacting tougher laws, and protecting Native Hawaiians are essential steps. The episode highlights the detrimental impacts of climate change, tourism, and military activities on Hawaii's water resources. The lack of rainfall due to climate change has led to a decrease in available fresh water, exacerbating the crisis. Additionally, the tourism industry's excessive water usage for activities like wave pools and the military's contamination of water sources with jet fuel have further strained the water supply.
To combat these challenges, it is crucial to establish better management practices. This includes regulating water usage by all stakeholders, especially industries like tourism, to ensure that water resources are used sustainably. Tougher laws need to be implemented to enforce water conservation measures and prevent contamination of water sources. Additionally, protecting Native Hawaiians, who have a deep cultural and historical connection to the land, is vital in preserving their access to clean and safe water.
By prioritizing the protection of water resources through improved management practices, stricter regulations, and safeguarding the rights of Native Hawaiians, Hawaii can work towards a more sustainable future. These actions are essential to address the current water crisis and ensure that the island's precious water supply is preserved for future generations.