Whales don’t get cancer: How bowhead whale DNA could change human health
How To Protect The Ocean
Whales don’t get cancer as often as you might expect, and in this episode you learn how the bowhead whale’s unique DNA repair system is helping scientists understand cancer prevention and healthy aging. This Arctic giant lives more than 200 years, grows to airplane size, and still avoids the runaway mutation patterns that lead to tumors in other species. Whales don’t get cancer at high rates because their cells repair DNA damage with remarkable accuracy, and recent studies show that bowhead whales have powerful repair proteins like CIRBP that might someday guide cancer research. You will...
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Fish feed in aquaculture, understanding what goes into feeding farmed fish
How To Protect The Ocean
Fish feed in aquaculture is at the center of a complicated global story that most people never hear about. In this episode, Andrew sits down with marine biologist and policy expert Marine Cusa to explore the hidden world of fishmeal, fish oil, feed ingredients, and the surprising connections between aquaculture, wild fisheries, West African communities, and even penguin populations in Antarctica. Marine breaks down what actually goes into the pellets fed to farmed fish, why transparency is lacking in the supply chain, and how her genetics research is uncovering the real species being...
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Orcas vs Great White Sharks: How Killer Whales Are Changing Shark Populations
How To Protect The Ocean
Orcas vs Great White Sharks is more than a dramatic headline—it’s a sign of how ocean ecosystems are shifting before our eyes. New drone footage shows orcas in the Gulf of California attacking and killing juvenile great white sharks in what scientists believe are nursery zones. The footage, captured in 2020 and 2022, reveals orcas flipping young sharks onto their backs, inducing tonic immobility, and surgically removing their livers—a precise and efficient hunting technique that may reshape predator-prey dynamics. For years, scientists have known about great white shark nurseries, but...
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Seagrass Decline in Moreton Bay: What Long-Term Research Reveals About Ocean Change
How To Protect The Ocean
Seagrass meadows are among the most vital yet overlooked ecosystems on our planet. In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, Andrew Lewin explores a new 19-year study from Moreton Bay, Australia, which shows that seagrass coverage and diversity are declining over time despite short-term recovery periods. This long-term research reveals that while short-term studies might show seagrass bouncing back after storms or floods, the bigger picture tells a story of gradual loss and ecological transformation. The episode also highlights why this decline matters: seagrass meadows are nurseries for...
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Animals Affected by Climate Change: How Seabirds Reveal the Hidden Impacts of Warming Oceans
How To Protect The Ocean
Animals affected by climate change are showing us how fragile our ecosystems have become. In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, host Andrew Lewin speaks with Dr. Helen Killeen, a marine ecologist whose research connects seabird reproduction to shifting ocean temperatures, prey diversity, and climate pressures across the northern hemisphere. Animals affected by climate change, from seabirds in the Arctic to those in the Pacific, serve as living indicators of ocean health. Helen explains how changes in prey diversity and warming oceans disrupt seabird breeding success, what this means for...
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Marine Conservation Projects: Why Recent Wins for Endangered Species Matter
How To Protect The Ocean
Marine Conservation Projects are driving real wins: green sea turtles downgraded to least concern in many regions, North Atlantic right whales showing a small but meaningful uptick, and a new vaquita calf sighting offering hope. In this episode I explain the common thread behind these stories, targeted local projects, science monitoring, and laws that actually get enforced, and I share practical ways you can support the people doing the work. From night patrols that protect turtle nests to whale disentanglement teams and community programs in Mexico that replace gillnets, you will hear how...
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Bill Gates & Climate Change: Why His Latest Comments Shocked the Climate Community
How To Protect The Ocean
Bill Gates and Climate Change have become a trending topic after the billionaire philanthropist argued that the world is too focused on cutting carbon emissions and not focused enough on improving human welfare. In this episode, I unpack what Gates said, why it caused such a reaction, and how his argument connects to decades of work in climate justice and climate equity. Many climate justice organizations have long emphasized that people struggling with hunger, illness, or poverty cannot prioritize environmental action until their basic needs are met. Gates’s claim—that people fighting to...
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Are These Whales Doing Better?
How To Protect The Ocean
North Atlantic right whales have been teetering on the edge of extinction for decades, with fewer than 400 individuals left. But recent reports hint at a small sign of hope: the population may finally be stabilizing, or even slightly increasing. In this episode, Andrew Lewin explores what that really means. Conservation efforts, from slower ship speeds to ropeless fishing gear, are starting to make a difference—but are they enough to ensure these whales survive? Andrew breaks down the latest science, the hard numbers from NOAA’s newest technical memo, and why every calf, especially every...
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Art and Ocean Science: How Creativity Reveals the Deep Sea’s Hidden Stories
How To Protect The Ocean
Art and Ocean Science are merging in ways that bring new life to marine research and conservation. In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, host Andrew Lewin speaks with the creative minds behind Ocean Networks Canada’s “Surfacing Secrets” project, a groundbreaking collaboration where sculptors, theatre directors, and scientists explore how art can help people see, feel, and understand the ocean in fresh ways. Ocean creativity takes center stage as guests share how sculpture can represent underwater sounds, theatre can transform data into emotion, and how cross-disciplinary...
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Nova Scotia Whale Sanctuary Approval: What It Means for Captive Whales and Ocean Conservation
How To Protect The Ocean
Nova Scotia Whale Sanctuary has officially received provincial approval, marking a monumental step toward creating Canada’s first ocean refuge for retired whales. In this episode of How to Protect the Ocean, Andrew Lewin explains how this decision moves the Whale Sanctuary Project closer to reality, what challenges remain before the sanctuary opens, and why this could change the way the world cares for marine mammals. Andrew also dives into how the Whale Sanctuary Project built the foundation for this historic milestone through years of environmental assessment, scientific planning, and...
info_outlineIn 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:
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Government Inaction: The episode highlights the potential consequences of a new U.S. administration that may prioritize economic interests over environmental protection, including the exemption of billion-dollar projects from environmental regulations. This could lead to increased fossil fuel projects and further exacerbate climate change.
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Impact on Wildlife: Lewin discusses the changing diets and health of polar bears due to climate change, emphasizing how their food sources are being affected by shrinking ice coverage. This serves as a reminder of the broader impacts of climate change on wildlife and ecosystems.
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Local and Global Consequences: The podcast also touches on the alarming projections for sea level rise, particularly in vulnerable areas like Florida, where cities may be underwater by 2050. This situation raises concerns about climate refugees and the socioeconomic impacts of climate change.
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Empowering Businesses for Change: Given the inaction from governments, Lewin emphasizes the importance of supporting businesses that prioritize environmental and social responsibility. He introduces the concept of B Corps—companies that balance profit with purpose and contribute positively to the environment and society.
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Examples of Positive Action: The episode highlights several B Corps, such as Bose Brewing Company, Four Oceans, Patagonia, and Nada, which are making significant strides in sustainability and environmental impact. These companies demonstrate that individual and collective consumer choices can drive change, even when governmental support is lacking.
We encourage you to take action by supporting responsible businesses and making conscious consumer choices to combat climate change, emphasizing that collective efforts can lead to meaningful change in the face of governmental inaction.
Links discussed in the article:
Polar Bear Article: https://www.thecooldown.com/outdoors/polar-bear-gut-microbiome-research/
Polar Bear Journal Article: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0311518#sec010
Florida Flooding Article: https://www.newsweek.com/florida-map-cities-underwater-2050-slimate-change-sea-level-flood-1997591
B Corp Climate Friendly Businesses: https://www.alveole.buzz/blog/bcorps-that-inspire-us/
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