From Ideas to Action: The Impactful Projects of Mindfully Wired
Release Date: 07/17/2024
Coastal Economy and Tourism Are Being Put at Risk by Offshore Oil Drilling
How To Protect The Ocean
Coastal Economy and Tourism face a serious threat as the US government moves forward with a plan to open more than one billion acres of ocean to offshore oil and gas drilling, a decision that could impact beaches, fisheries, tourism jobs, and coastal communities for decades. This episode explains why this proposal matters now and how it could reshape life along the coasts of California, Alaska, and the Gulf of Mexico. Offshore oil drilling is often framed as an economic benefit, but this conversation reveals a very different reality. Pete Stauffer from the breaks down how tourism, recreation,...
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Wikie and Keijo Orcas: The Breakthrough That Could Save Them, Or Come Too Late
How To Protect The Ocean
Wikie and Keijo Orcas are the last two captive orcas in France, and a major government decision may finally give them a path out of concrete tanks, but the clock is ticking. France has officially backed the Whale Sanctuary Project in Nova Scotia as their future home, yet this announcement does not mean an immediate rescue. In this episode, we break down what France’s move really means, what still has to happen, and why these two orcas remain in limbo despite years of public pressure. Whale Sanctuary Project Nova Scotia represents one of the most ambitious attempts to move captive whales into...
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US oil and gas drilling: How This Plan Could Put America’s Coasts at Risk for a Generation
How To Protect The Ocean
US oil and gas drilling is once again at the center of a high-stakes decision that could shape America’s coastlines, marine life, and coastal communities for decades. This episode asks a critical question: should the U.S. lock itself into new offshore drilling just as climate risks and ocean damage are accelerating, or is there still time to choose a safer path for the ocean and future generations? Offshore drilling impacts go far beyond fuel production, and Oceana campaign director Joseph Gordon explains why oil spills are not short-term disasters but long-term crises. One of the most...
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Deep Sea Hydrothermal Vents: The Hidden World Beneath the Pacific That Shapes Life on Earth
How To Protect The Ocean
Deep sea hydrothermal vents reveal a hidden world where life thrives without sunlight, forcing scientists to rethink how ecosystems can exist in extreme heat, pressure, and darkness. Nearly two kilometers beneath the Pacific Ocean, superheated fluids erupt from the seafloor at Endeavour, creating environments that challenge everything we thought we knew about life on Earth and how it survives. Deep-sea hydrothermal vents are not isolated deep ocean curiosities, they actively influence the chemistry of the entire Pacific Ocean. In this episode, scientists explain how minerals and iron released...
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Climate Solutions for the Ocean: How Restoring Kelp Forests Could Change the Future of the Seas
How To Protect The Ocean
Climate Solutions for the Ocean are urgently needed as warming seas, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem collapse accelerate faster than most people realize, and one of the most powerful tools may be hiding just beneath the waves. In this episode, Andrew Lewin sits down with Scott Bohachyk, Director of Seaforestation at Ocean Wise, to explore how kelp forests function as underwater life support systems for the ocean, supporting fisheries, stabilizing coastlines, and helping ecosystems recover from climate stress. Kelp forests have declined by up to 50 percent globally, with some regions losing...
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Tree-Free Products Are Disrupting Big Industry and Saving Thousands of Trees
How To Protect The Ocean
Tree-Free Products are disrupting industries that have relied on the same wasteful materials for more than a century, and the shift is happening faster than most people realize. In this episode, we explore how Emerald Ecovations produces over 370 sustainable alternatives without cutting down a single tree, dramatically reducing carbon emissions, water use and ocean-bound pollution. Ralph Bianculli shares why legacy companies resist change and how younger decision-makers are pushing corporate purchasing toward genuine sustainability. Sustainable business is more than a buzzword; it is the...
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Mass penguin die off explained, the shocking truth behind why African penguins are disappearing and what it means for our future
How To Protect The Ocean
Mass penguin die off explained, a crisis that wiped out ninety five percent of some African penguin colonies, raises a heartbreaking question: how does a thriving species fall to fewer than ten thousand breeding pairs and almost no one sees it happening? This episode uncovers the chain reaction that pushed an entire population toward collapse, from vanishing sardines to the brutal timing of the molt that left tens of thousands of penguins starving. One of the most emotional discoveries in the research was that more than sixty thousand penguins died simply because they did not have enough body...
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Marine Wildlife Victory: Why New Protections for Manta Rays and Sharks Change Everything
How To Protect The Ocean
Marine Wildlife Victory raises a powerful question: what does it take to finally protect some of the ocean’s most threatened giants, and why did it take this long? In this episode, you will hear how manta rays, devil rays, and several shark species faced years of intense pressure from overfishing and international trade, and why the world finally agreed they needed stronger protection. The emotional turning point comes when we uncover that manta ray gill plates were so valuable in global markets that populations were declining faster than conservationists could respond. Shark Conservation...
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Northern Right Whale Hope Story: Why the Population Finally Rose and What It Means Next
How To Protect The Ocean
Northern Right Whale crisis: For years, scientists and advocates have watched this critically endangered species decline due to ship strikes, fishing gear entanglement, and rapid ocean change. This episode asks a crucial question: Does the first population increase in years signal real recovery or just a temporary pause in a long-term crisis, and what must change now to keep that number rising? Whale conservation stories: Oceana campaigner Nora Ives brings clear insights into how monitoring efforts and shifting whale behavior shape our understanding of their future. She explains how...
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What’s behind your canned tuna? The shocking truth supermarkets never tell you
How To Protect The Ocean
Supermarket tuna raises a disturbing question: What’s behind your canned tuna? In this episode, you uncover the hidden human cost of the global tuna industry, including the devastating story of fisherman Deby Putra Bunanda, whose health collapsed after months at sea supplying tuna for major supermarket brands. His experience reveals a deeper and darker truth about forced labor, long deployments without oversight, and the human suffering behind one of the world’s most common foods. The surprising emotional insight: Bunanda returned home barely able to walk or speak after seven months at...
info_outlineToday on the How to Protect the Ocean podcast, host Andrew Lewin speaks with Katrina Ryan, the founder of Mindfully Wired. Katrina discusses how her company is dedicated to helping the planet, particularly the oceans, through innovative projects focused on conservation and policy. They delve into the unique approach Mindfully Wired takes in combining scientists, policymakers, and communication experts to make a positive impact.
Tune in to learn about the projects Katrina has led and her vision for the future of ocean conservation.
Mindfully Wired: https://www.mindfullywired.org/
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Mindfully Wired is dedicated to positive and optimistic projects that offer solutions to environmental challenges, as discussed in the podcast episode. The company's strategy involves addressing complex marine conservation and fisheries management issues in a manner that promotes change and reduces anxiety. By focusing on projects that deliver tangible solutions and positive outcomes, Mindfully Wired aims to inspire hope and optimism in the face of environmental obstacles.
An example of this approach is the collaboration with Surfers Against Sewage, where Mindfully Wired facilitated the co-authoring of the first youth ocean and climate manifesto. This initiative empowered 200 youth activists to express their concerns and aspirations for clean water and sustainable surfing environments. By engaging with the public in this manner, Mindfully Wired not only amplifies the voices of the younger generation but also instills a sense of agency and empowerment in addressing environmental issues.
Furthermore, the company's involvement in initiatives like the Blue Carbon Action Partnership demonstrates a commitment to driving high-quality blue carbon projects globally. Blue carbon ecosystems, such as salt marshes and mangroves, play a crucial role in carbon sequestration and climate change mitigation. By actively participating in projects that protect and enhance these ecosystems, Mindfully Wired contributes to the broader goal of environmental conservation and sustainability.
Overall, Mindfully Wired's emphasis on positive and optimistic projects aligns with their mission to effect meaningful change in the marine conservation and environmental realm. By highlighting solutions, collaboration, and communication, the company not only tackles environmental challenges but also fosters hope and progress in the face of complex issues.
Mindfully Wired collaborates with a diverse team of experts from various professional backgrounds to work on intricate environmental projects. The founder, Katrina Ryan, mentions that the team at Mindfully Wired includes individuals with backgrounds in science, policy, linguistics, and communications. This diverse team enables them to address complex environmental issues such as offshore wind, seafood supply, and forestry. The team's expertise in science and policy aids in developing projects that are technically sound and aligned with sustainable practices. Additionally, the team includes agency communications experts who bring a senior dimension to the projects, ensuring effective communication strategies are in place.
The company's approach to building a diverse team reflects their commitment to inclusivity and collaboration. By bringing together individuals with different expertise and perspectives, Mindfully Wired can develop innovative solutions to environmental challenges. The team's ability to bridge the gap between technical knowledge and effective communication is highlighted in their work with clients and projects. This collaborative approach not only enhances the quality of their work but also allows them to engage with a wide range of stakeholders, including governments, NGOs, retailers, and local communities.
Overall, the diverse team at Mindfully Wired plays a crucial role in driving positive change in the environmental sector. Their ability to work together, leveraging their unique skills and experiences, enables them to address complex issues and advocate for sustainable practices. The company's success in working on a variety of projects, from advocating for better fisheries management to promoting blue carbon projects, showcases the power of collaboration and diversity in achieving environmental goals.
Mindfully Wired engages with the public through various projects and initiatives to drive positive change and raise awareness about environmental issues. One example is the collaboration with Surfers Against Sewage to facilitate the co-authoring of the Youth Ocean and Climate Manifesto. This project involved bringing together 200 youth activists to create a manifesto advocating for clean water and environmental protection, which was then delivered to 10 Downing Street. This initiative empowered young activists to voice their concerns and contribute to meaningful change in environmental policy.
Additionally, Mindfully Wired conducts training courses at universities for master's and PhD level scientists in the environmental field. These courses focus on helping scientists communicate the impact of their work effectively and develop their communication skills to engage with a broader audience. By providing training and guidance to emerging scientists, Mindfully Wired contributes to building a community of environmentally conscious professionals who can effectively communicate their research and advocate for positive change.
Another significant project undertaken by Mindfully Wired is the Blue Carbon Action Partnership, hosted by the World Economic Forum. This initiative focuses on driving high-quality blue carbon projects globally, emphasizing the importance of blue carbon environments like salt marshes and mangroves in storing carbon and supporting local communities. By collaborating with NGOs and stakeholders, Mindfully Wired works to protect and invest in blue carbon projects, highlighting the critical role these ecosystems play in mitigating climate change and promoting sustainable practices. Through these collaborative initiatives, Mindfully Wired actively engages with the public, policymakers, and stakeholders to raise awareness about environmental issues and drive positive change on a global scale.