Building Baby Steps: How Small Goals Lead to Big Changes in Ocean Conservation and Climate Action
Release Date: 09/27/2024
Half of Murres seabird population dies after this happened
How To Protect The Ocean
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: A Conversation On Changing Behaviors
How To Protect The Ocean
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...
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Plastic Pollution Clean Up Through Absorption
How To Protect The Ocean
Plastic pollution clean up through absorption is now a possibility by using a combination of cotton and chittin to take microplastics out of the ocean...but can this work at scale? In this episode of the "How to Protect the Ocean" podcast, host Andrew Lo discusses the pressing issue of microplastics in the ocean and introduces a promising new method for their absorption using a combination of cotton and chitin. The mechanism involves creating a sponge-like substance called CT cell biomass, which combines cellulose from cotton and chitin from squid. This innovative material is designed to...
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Climate Action When Governments Won't Help
How To Protect The Ocean
In this episode of the "How to Protect the Ocean" podcast, host Andrew Lewin discusses the pressing issue of climate change and the challenges posed by government inaction. With the recent political shifts in North America, particularly the incoming administration in the United States, there are concerns about the rollback of environmental regulations and policies that protect the ocean and climate. Key points include: Government Inaction: The episode highlights the potential consequences of a new U.S. administration that may prioritize economic interests over environmental protection,...
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Orcas Playing with Their Food: Wearing Salmon on Their Head
How To Protect The Ocean
Orcas playing with their food is not a new behavior; however, wearing salmon on their heads is not usual. In this episode of the How to Protect the Ocean podcast, host Andrew Lewin discusses a fascinating phenomenon involving orcas wearing salmon as hats. A recent photograph captured an orca in Puget Sound sporting a salmon on its head, reminiscent of similar behaviors observed in the 1980s when orcas from the southern resident population also donned salmon hats. Lewin explores the potential reasons behind this behavior, suggesting it could be a playful act, a celebration of a successful...
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Leave the seashells on the Seashore
How To Protect The Ocean
Seashells on the seashore are being taken in large quantities and it's increasing erosion along beaches. A new study reveals the tourism industry is taking too many seashells along coastlines in Costa Rica. In this episode of the How to Protect the Ocean podcast, host Andrew Lewin discusses the environmental impact of taking seashells from coastal areas, particularly in Costa Rica. He highlights a growing crisis where the removal of seashells, driven by tourism, destabilizes beaches, accelerates erosion, and harms marine ecosystems. Seashells are essential for various marine species,...
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Abandoned Fish Farms in Greece: Ghost Farm Clean Up by Healthy Seas
How To Protect The Ocean
Abandoned fish farms in Greece are plaguing the coastline with marine debris; however, Healthy Seas is working to clean up some of the sites and raise awareness for support to tell the Greek government that fish farm owners should be responsible for cleaning up their sites once the business is done operating. In this episode of the "How to Protect the Ocean" podcast, host Andrew Lewin discusses the pressing issue of ghost farms—abandoned fish farms that are polluting oceans, particularly in Greece. The episode highlights the work of the organization Healthy Seas, which is actively...
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Solar Panel Efficiency Improvements Mimicking Giant Clam Algae
How To Protect The Ocean
In this episode of the "How to Protect the Ocean" podcast, host Andrew Luan discusses the fascinating connection between giant clams and the efficiency of solar panels. He highlights the vibrant colors of giant clams, which are not only visually stunning but also play a crucial role in coral reef ecosystems, particularly in the Southeast Pacific. The key focus is on the algae, specifically zooxanthellae, that live within the soft tissue of giant clams. These algae absorb sunlight and are essential for the clams' survival, as they facilitate photosynthesis and contribute to the clam's calcium...
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Orcas vs. Whale Sharks: A New Apex Predator Dynamic
How To Protect The Ocean
In this episode of the How to Protect the Ocean podcast, host Andrew Lewin discusses the fascinating behavior of orcas, particularly their recent predation on whale sharks, the largest fish in the ocean. Orcas, known as apex predators, have been observed hunting whale sharks in the Gulf of California. This behavior was documented in a new study published in the journal Frontiers of Marine Science, which includes video footage and images of the attacks. The orcas target the whale sharks by striking their underbelly and grabbing their pectoral fins, aiming for the nutrient-rich liver,...
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Buy Now The Shopping Conspiracy: A Marine Biologist Reviews
How To Protect The Ocean
Buy Now: The Shopping Conspiracy is a documentary that was released on Netflix a week before Black Friday. The movie reveals the shocking truth about how large corporations manipulate consumers to increase their profits at the peril of the consumer's wallet and the planet's health. In this episode of the How to Protect the Ocean podcast, host Andrew Lewin discusses the recently released Netflix documentary, Buy Now: The Shopping Conspiracy. The episode focuses on the themes of consumerism, overconsumption, and their environmental impacts, especially in the context of the holiday shopping...
info_outlineIn 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, persistence and creativity can lead to success. Tune in to discover how playful learning can teach valuable life lessons!
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Achieving Large Goals: The Importance of Breaking Them Down
In the pursuit of significant objectives, such as addressing climate change, it is essential to recognize that these goals can often feel overwhelming. A recent podcast episode illustrates this concept through a relatable analogy involving a teacher and a group of elementary school children. The teacher lays out pieces of paper on the floor, and the students must step only on these papers to reach the teacher for a high five. This exercise serves as a metaphor for how we can approach large goals by breaking them down into smaller, manageable steps.
The Analogy of the Pieces of Paper
The pieces of paper represent smaller goals or milestones that lead to the ultimate objective—giving the teacher a high five. Initially, the papers are placed close together, making it easy for the child to step from one to the next. As the exercise progresses, the teacher removes some pieces of paper, increasing the distance between the remaining ones. This change illustrates how, as we strive for larger goals, we may encounter obstacles that make the journey more challenging.
When faced with a larger gap to jump, it becomes evident that without the smaller steps (the pieces of paper), reaching the final goal becomes significantly more difficult. This analogy can be applied to various life goals, such as:
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Achieving a big house: Instead of focusing solely on the end goal of homeownership, one can break it down into smaller steps like saving for a down payment, improving credit scores, and researching neighborhoods.
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Pursuing a professional sports career: Aspiring athletes can set smaller goals such as improving specific skills, participating in local leagues, and seeking coaching.
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Building a music career: Musicians can focus on smaller milestones like writing songs, performing at local venues, and networking within the industry.
The Importance of Small Goals in Climate Change
The podcast emphasizes that the same principle applies to addressing climate change. The challenge of combating climate change can feel insurmountable, leading to feelings of confusion and helplessness. However, by breaking down the larger goal of reducing climate change into smaller, actionable steps, individuals can contribute meaningfully to the cause.
Steps to Take
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Look Inward: Start by assessing personal habits and making changes to reduce individual carbon footprints, such as minimizing plastic use and opting for reusable products.
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Get Involved Locally: Engage with local organizations focused on environmental conservation. This could involve volunteering for clean-up events or supporting community initiatives aimed at sustainability.
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Educate Yourself and Others: Stay informed about climate issues and share knowledge with friends and family. Understanding the science behind climate change can empower individuals to take action.
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Advocate for Change: Support policies and politicians that prioritize environmental protection. Voting for representatives who align with conservation values is crucial for systemic change.
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Participate in Community Projects: Join or initiate local projects that aim to address climate issues, such as tree planting, habitat restoration, or educational programs about sustainability.
Conclusion
The journey to achieving large goals, particularly in the context of climate change, requires patience and persistence. Just as the child in the podcast must step on each piece of paper to reach the teacher, individuals must take small, deliberate steps to make a difference. By recognizing that progress is made through incremental achievements, we can collectively work towards a healthier planet. Each small action contributes to the larger goal, and together, we can create meaningful change in the fight against climate change.