How To Protect The Ocean
In this episode of the How to Protect the Ocean podcast, host Andrew Lewin discusses the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, emphasizing the significant role climate change plays in their occurrence and intensity. Lewin highlights that the wildfires are exacerbated by a phenomenon known as "hydroclimate whiplash," where California experiences extreme fluctuations between wet and dry conditions. In 2023, the state saw record precipitation and lush vegetation growth, but by 2024, drought conditions led to that vegetation drying out, creating ample fuel for wildfires. The situation was further...
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Environmental protections before the next president could be sworn in were implemented to help save 625 million acres of ocean from oil and gas exploration. In this episode of the "How to Protect the Ocean" podcast, host Andrew Lewin discusses recent developments regarding the Gulf of Mexico and new protections for marine environments in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico Name Change Proposal The episode begins with a focus on Donald Trump's controversial proposal to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America." Lewin explains that such a unilateral change is not feasible due to historical,...
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In this episode of the "How to Protect the Ocean" podcast, host Andrew Lewin interviews Carlos Mallo, the founder and CEO of Innoceana, an innovative marine conservation organization. Carlos shares his journey from being an engineer to a marine conservationist, highlighting the pivotal moments that led him to launch Innoceana. Carlos grew up in Spain, surrounded by the ocean, which instilled in him a deep love for marine environments. He initially pursued a career in engineering, focusing on construction projects related to harbors and marinas. However, after a transformative trip to Thailand,...
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Orca mourns second calf since 2018 in a devastating report that J35 was seen floating her dead calf on January 1st, 2025. In this episode of the How to Protect the Ocean podcast, host Andrew Lewin discusses the tragic story of J35, a Southern Resident Orca, who lost her second calf, J61, shortly after its birth. The episode highlights several critical factors contributing to the high mortality rate of orca calves in this endangered population, which currently numbers only 73 individuals. Reasons for Calf Mortality: Food Scarcity: The primary prey of the Southern Resident Orcas, Chinook...
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It takes a village to protect the ocean even though ocean conservation can sometimes feel lonely. Leaning on your community can help to inspire you to take more action for the sea. In this episode of the "How to Protect the Ocean" podcast, host Andrew Luan emphasizes the vital role of community in ocean conservation efforts. He discusses how protecting the ocean can feel overwhelming for individuals, especially when faced with complex issues like climate change, overfishing, and plastic pollution. However, community involvement can transform this daunting task into a collective effort,...
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Sea Turtle Conservation in Florida is hard and it's about to get harder with the onset of increased intensity of hurricanes and increased sea level rise. Sea Turtle Conservation has been successful over the past few decades with protection policies being implemented along Florida coastlines. Still, hurricane events and increased sea level rise can wipe out nests in one storm killing hundreds of thousands of sea turtles. In this episode of the How to Protect the Ocean podcast, host Andrew Lord discusses the challenges facing sea turtle conservation in Florida, particularly in light of climate...
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Where do whales live? Where do they go? These are just some of the questions the US federal government would like to answer by introducing a bill (H.R. 10292) called the Whale CHARTS Act. In this episode of the How to Protect the Ocean podcast, host Andrew Lauren discusses the recently introduced Whale Conservation Habitat Analysis Research and Technical Strategies Act, also known as the Whale Charts Act. This bipartisan legislation aims to enhance the protection of baleen and sperm whales by improving our understanding of their feeding areas, calving grounds, and migration routes. Key points...
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In this episode of the "How to Protect the Ocean" podcast, host Andrew Lewin interviews Dr. Annalisa Bracco, a professor at Georgia Tech specializing in ocean and climate dynamics. The discussion centers around innovative climate solutions, moving away from the typical focus on the negative impacts of climate change. Key Climate Solutions Discussed: Sargassum Management: Problem: Since 2011, there have been significant blooms of sargassum in the tropical Atlantic, impacting beaches in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. These blooms require costly cleanup efforts, amounting to approximately...
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In this episode of the How to Protect the Ocean podcast, host Andrew Luan discusses the significant decline in the population of common murres, a seabird species in Alaska, which has seen about half of its population die off—approximately 4 million individuals—since the marine heat wave known as "the blob" occurred from 2014 to 2016. The primary reason for this drastic decline is linked to the effects of the heat wave on the marine food web rather than direct thermal stress on the birds themselves. The heat wave caused shifts in the availability of food sources, leading to starvation among...
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Mind your plastic pollution is a conversation that we all need to have because we all partake in using single-use plastic as the system is set up that way. In this episode of the How to Protect the Ocean podcast, host Andrew Lewin engages in a conversation with Natasha Tucker, the Executive Director of Mind Your Plastic, a Canadian charity focused on eliminating plastic pollution. The discussion centers around the pervasive issue of plastic in our environment, emphasizing the need for behavioral change among individuals and businesses to reduce our dependence on plastics. Key points from...
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.