Navigating Climate Change and Politics: A Conversation with Janelle Kellman
Release Date: 08/05/2024
Episode 2000: TV Offers, Job Offers, and a Major Announcement
How To Protect The Ocean
Today marks episode 2000 of How to Protect the Ocean, and Andrew is taking a break from the usual format to look back at how this show came to be. From an accidental start in 2010 to a name change driven by search engine optimization, to over 3 million downloads across 11 years, this episode traces the full arc of the podcast's history. Andrew also opens up about how podcasting reshaped his career. What started as a side project outside of work hours led to TV documentary appearances, podcast hosting offers including a multi-year run on the Toronto Zoo podcast, and eventually the job offer...
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The Power of Podcasting for Ocean Science Communication
How To Protect The Ocean
Podcasting has been part of Andrew Lewin's life for 11 years, and in this episode he explains why he thinks more people working in ocean science and conservation should be doing it too. He walks through what makes long-form audio and video different from the short clips discussed in yesterday's episode: the ability to sit with complex topics, tell a full story, and reach an audience that's multitasking, whether they're walking the dog, working out, or gardening while listening. Andrew gets specific about what podcasting actually requires. He covers how titles and the first several seconds of...
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Short-Form Content for Ocean Awareness: What Actually Works
How To Protect The Ocean
This week on the How to Protect the Ocean podcast, Andrew kicks off a science communication series exploring how ocean advocates can spread awareness across every major content format. Today's episode digs into short-form video: TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts, and what it actually takes to make original content work when you're used to talking for an hour, not ninety seconds. Andrew is candid about his own struggle with the format, since most of his short-form output today is repurposed podcast clips rather than content built for the platform from the ground up. The conversation...
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The Electric Boat Revolution Is Here
How To Protect The Ocean
Electric boating is having its Tesla moment, and few people understand that shift better than Alexandre Mongeon, CEO and co-founder of Vision Marine Technologies. Andrew sits down with Alexandre to trace his path from importing speed boats in Montreal to building the electric outboard systems now powering boats across North America. Along the way, Alexandre shares how a chance meeting with Olympic sailor and boat designer Ian Bruce set him on the road to electric propulsion, and how a rental-to-sale showroom model in Newport Beach, California, turned a small hobby business into a NASDAQ-listed...
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3 For-Profit Companies Cleaning the Ocean and Paying Living Wages
How To Protect The Ocean
Not every ocean conservation win comes from a nonprofit or a government program. In this episode, Andrew breaks down three for-profit companies that are cleaning up the ocean, funding wildlife research, and paying living wages to the people doing the work. These businesses show that conservation and profit are not opposing goals. They can be the same goal. Andrew covers 4Ocean, whose full-time captains and cleanup crews earn living wages with health insurance and bonuses across Florida, Bali, Haiti, and Guatemala. He covers Ocean Sole, the Kenyan social enterprise that pays local collectors...
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How 4ocean Turned Bracelets Into 50 Million Pounds of Ocean Trash Removed
How To Protect The Ocean
4ocean has removed more than 50 million pounds of plastic and trash from the world's oceans, rivers, and coastlines. That milestone did not come from a government program or a traditional nonprofit. It came from a for-profit business built around a single idea: every bracelet sold funds the removal of a pound of ocean trash. In this episode, Andrew breaks down how 4ocean went from one viral video in Bali to a global cleanup operation, why founders Alex Schulze and Andrew Cooper chose a business model over a nonprofit, and how the company built local jobs, recycling infrastructure, and B Corp...
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The Boat Sharing Economy Is Exploding, Here's Why You Shouldn't Buy a Boat
How To Protect The Ocean
The boat rental market is bigger than most people realize, and it's growing fast. In this episode, Andrew shares a personal story about his dad, boats, and why he's spent the last few months considering buying one, before walking through the data that changed his mind about ownership altogether. Andrew breaks down the numbers behind the boat sharing economy: a market valued between nineteen and twenty three billion dollars US, growing five to seven percent a year, with electric propulsion emerging as the fastest growing segment in boat rentals. Peer to peer platforms like Getmyboat,...
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Why Cargo Ships Are Bringing Back Sails to Cut Emissions
How To Protect The Ocean
Global shipping moves roughly 80 to 90% of the world's trade, and it comes with a real climate cost: the industry is responsible for a little over 2% of global CO2 emissions. On today's episode of the How to Protect the Ocean Podcast, Andrew looks at one of the more surprising fixes the industry is turning to: sails. Not the old canvas kind, but massive rigid wing sails retrofitted onto modern cargo vessels to cut fuel use and emissions without waiting on next-generation fuels. The centerpiece example is the Pyxis Ocean, a bulk carrier fitted with two 37.5-meter WindWings that fold down like...
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Can Hollywood Go Green? Inside the Sustainable Production Movement
How To Protect The Ocean
Hollywood might not be the first industry you think of when it comes to protecting the planet, but film and TV production has been quietly transforming how it operates behind the scenes. In this episode, Andrew sits down with Zena Harris, founder and president of Green Spark Group and co-host of The Tie-In podcast, to unpack what sustainability actually looks like on a working film set. Zena walks through the surprising ways major productions are cutting fuel consumption, swapping diesel generators for solar power and battery stations, and building a circular economy for set materials instead...
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Greenwashing Exposed: Why 400+ Companies Got Caught Lying About Sustainability in 2026
How To Protect The Ocean
Businesses love to say they are sustainable. Andrew breaks down why that word is no longer enough on its own. A new EU consumer protection regulation now requires companies to prove environmental claims with evidence, and it has helped drive more than 400 greenwashing-related enforcement actions across the US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, and India in 2026 alone. Andrew draws on his own university experience with food labeling regulation to explain how vague standards let companies technically comply while misleading the public, then walks through real cases including SEC fines against Goldman...
info_outlineThis episode of the "How to Protect the Ocean" podcast delves into the importance of policy within politics, specifically focusing on the blue economy, climate change, and ocean-related conservation issues. Host Andrew Lewin interviews Janelle Kellman, former mayor of Sausalito City and current council member, who shares insights on the significance of working together for impactful policies. Kellman's background as an athlete and her connection to the ocean are also explored. Tune in to gain valuable perspectives on advocating for the ocean through government and policy.
Connect with Janelle Kellman:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janellekellmanforltg/
Website: https://janellekellman.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janelle-kellman-esq-she-her-86021a4/
Sign Up for Updates on the process: www.speakupforblue.com/oceanapp
Connect with Speak Up For Blue:
Website: https://bit.ly/3fOF3Wf
Instagram: https://bit.ly/3rIaJSG
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@speakupforblue
Twitter: https://bit.ly/3rHZxpc
YouTube: www.speakupforblue.com/youtube
Collaboration between public and private sectors is essential for addressing climate change and promoting the blue economy. In a podcast episode, Janelle Kellman, the former mayor of Sausalito City and founder of the Center for Sea Rise Solutions, emphasizes the importance of public-private partnerships in tackling environmental challenges. She highlights the need for partnerships to address issues like sea level rise, flooding, and wildfires, which are common concerns for coastal cities.
Kellman stresses the significance of working together to find solutions that benefit both the environment and the economy. She mentions initiatives like the Blue Glue project, which focuses on leveraging the resources of ports to drive coastal resilience and economic development. By partnering with organizations like the World Ocean Council and local governments, the Center for Sea Rise Solutions aims to create job opportunities, address equity issues, and combat the climate crisis through innovative projects.
Furthermore, Kellman discusses the role of public-private collaborations in funding and implementing initiatives related to the blue economy. She mentions the need for workforce development programs to train individuals for jobs in renewable energy, aquaculture, and other sectors of the blue economy. By bringing together stakeholders from both sectors, the Center for Sea Rise Solutions aims to bridge the gap between policy, innovation, and economic growth in the context of climate change adaptation and ocean conservation.
Overall, the episode highlights the importance of collaboration between public and private entities in driving sustainable practices, creating resilient infrastructure, and fostering economic opportunities in the face of climate change challenges.
Local politics play a significant role in implementing climate resilience and adaptation strategies. In the podcast episode, Janelle Kellman, a former mayor of Sausalito City and a current city councilor, highlighted the importance of local politics in addressing climate change issues. She emphasized the need for collaboration and action at the local level to tackle challenges such as sea level rise, flooding, and wildfires.
Janelle discussed her experience in Sausalito, where she worked on implementing a blue economy task force and securing funding for climate adaptation projects. She emphasized the role of local government in planning for climate change impacts, such as infrastructure upgrades, disaster preparedness, and coastal resilience measures. By focusing on local issues and policies, Janelle demonstrated how cities can proactively address climate-related challenges and protect their communities.
Furthermore, Janelle highlighted the importance of public-private partnerships in addressing climate change at the local level. She mentioned initiatives such as workforce development programs and economic incentives for industries transitioning to renewable energy. By engaging with stakeholders, including businesses, educational institutions, and community members, local governments can drive sustainable practices and build climate-resilient communities.
Overall, the podcast episode underscored the critical role of local politics in implementing climate resilience and adaptation strategies. By leveraging local resources, expertise, and partnerships, cities like Sausalito can lead the way in addressing climate change impacts and creating a more sustainable future for their residents.
The Center for Sea Rise Solutions, as discussed in the podcast episode, plays a crucial role in sharing knowledge and best practices internationally to address coastal resilience and climate-related challenges. Janelle Kellman, the founder of the Center, highlighted the importance of collaborating with other coastal cities and countries to learn from each other's experiences and solutions. The Center has organized events and workshops in various locations, such as Monaco, Lisbon, Barcelona, and other coastal cities, to facilitate discussions on climate resilience and ocean conservation.
Through initiatives like economic risk assessments related to climate change and workshops focused on ports and their role in coastal resilience, the Center aims to bring together stakeholders from different regions to exchange ideas and strategies. By creating a platform for sharing information and fostering partnerships, the Center for Sea Rise Solutions contributes to a global effort to address the impacts of climate change on coastal communities.
The Center's approach emphasizes the importance of public-private partnerships and cross-border collaborations to tackle common challenges faced by coastal areas worldwide. By leveraging the expertise and resources of various stakeholders, the Center promotes the implementation of sustainable and innovative solutions to enhance coastal resilience and mitigate the effects of climate change on coastal ecosystems and communities.