The 2024 Living Planet Report: Biodiversity Is Down By 73%
Release Date: 10/28/2024
Solar Farm on the Ocean : The Pros and Cons of China's Largest Offshore Solar Project
How To Protect The Ocean
The largest solar farm on the ocean is now running off the coast of China as the country continues to invest in ways to support its sustainable energy needs. In the "How to Protect the Ocean" podcast, host Andrew Lewin discusses China's deployment of the world's largest open sea offshore solar panel farm. The project, developed by CHN Energy, spans 1,223 hectares (3,023 acres) and is located 8 kilometers off the coast of China. It aims to generate one gigawatt of renewable energy and is notable for its innovative use of offshore solar technology. Pros of the Offshore Solar Project ...
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The Impact of Avian Flu: 17,000 Elephant Seals Lost in Argentina
How To Protect The Ocean
The impact of the avian flu of elephant seals resulted in the death of 17,000 individuals in a population in Argentina. Researchers think the marine mammals caught the virus from migrating birds near their haul out areas that are usually packed with the animals one on top of the other. Unfortunately, 97% of the elephant seal pups were lost resulting in a devastating loss for generations to come. In this episode of the "How to Protect the Ocean" podcast, host Andrew Lewin discusses the devastating impact of the H5N1 avian flu on the elephant seal population off the coast of Argentina....
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Marine Protect Area: Puerto Rico Increases Ocean Protection to 27%
How To Protect The Ocean
A new marine protected area has been designated in Puerto Rico to bring their total ocean protection up to 27%, 3% away from the 30 x 30 promise many countries have promised to meet. The US has a total of 26% of its ocean in marine protected areas. In this episode of the "How to Protect the Ocean" podcast, host Andrew Lewin discusses establishing a new marine protected area (MPA) in Puerto Rico, which has increased the total protected area in their territorial waters to 27%. This new MPA, named Vega Baja and Manatee Underwater Gardens, spans 202 square kilometers (77 square miles) off the...
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How Can You Reduce Your Carbon Footprint: Practical Steps for a Sustainable Lifestyle
How To Protect The Ocean
In this episode of the How to Protect the Ocean podcast, host Andrew Lewin discusses practical ways for individuals to reduce their carbon footprint. Here are the key strategies highlighted: Calculate Your Carbon Footprint: Start by determining your current carbon footprint using a reliable calculator. Understanding your baseline is essential for tracking progress. Food Choices: Opt for Plant-Based Diets: Shift from meat, especially beef, to more plant-based proteins. This can significantly reduce your food-related carbon emissions by 50-80%. Buy Local: Purchase food from local farmers or...
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Can Worms Eat Plastic? African Mealworm Might Help Save the Ocean
How To Protect The Ocean
In this episode of the "How to Protect the Ocean" podcast, host Andrew Lewin discusses the pressing issue of plastic pollution and highlights a promising biological solution involving African mealworms. The episode focuses on the Kenyan lesser mealworm, a larval form of the Alphitobius darkling beetle, which has shown the ability to break down polystyrene, commonly known as styrofoam. This capability is attributed to the unique microbes and bacteria in the mealworms' gut. Researchers are studying these gut bacteria to identify specific communities that facilitate the degradation of...
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A Full Circle Moment: The Return of L-Pod to Penn Cove
How To Protect The Ocean
In this episode of the "How to Protect the Ocean" podcast, host Andrew Lewin discusses the significant return of the Southern Resident orca population, specifically L-Pod, to Penn Cove, Washington, after more than 50 years. This return is particularly poignant given the tragic history of the area, where in the 1970s, a brutal capture event took place. During this event, 80 orcas were corralled using bombs and boats, resulting in the deaths of five orcas and the capture of many others, including Tokite, also known as Lolita, who spent 50 years in captivity before passing away in 2023. The...
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People Are Sick of Plastic Straws: Is Comedy Hurting the Anti-Plastic Movement?
How To Protect The Ocean
Are you sick of hearing about plastic straws? Andrew Santino, a comedian, doesn't think that plastic straws are hurting sea turtles even though a video went viral for a scientist pulling a plastic straw from a sea turtle's nose in Costa Rica. Four months later, the same scientist pulled a plastic fork from a sea turtle's nose about 70 kilometres from the original site. In this episode of the "How to Protect the Ocean" podcast, host Andrew Lewin discusses the influence of comedy on public perception, particularly regarding the anti-single-use plastic movement. He begins by referencing a...
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Navigating the Conference Circuit: Insights from Dr. Isla Hodgson on Back-to-Back Marine Conservation Events
How To Protect The Ocean
In this episode of the "How to Protect the Ocean" podcast, host Andrew Lewin interviews Dr. Ayla Hodgson, a marine social scientist and science communicator for the Save Our Seas Foundation. The focus of the conversation is on Isla's experience attending two significant conferences back-to-back: the International Marine Conservation Congress (IMCC) in Cape Town, South Africa, and the European Elasmobranch Society (EAS) conference in Greece. IMCC Experience Purpose of Attendance: Isla attended IMCC to present her research on the management and governance of marine protected areas, as well as...
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Climate Change Misinformation: Tracing the Funding to Greedy People
How To Protect The Ocean
Climate change misinformation has been a persistent issue for decades, fueled by campaigns funded by the fossil fuel industry. In this episode of the How to Protect the Ocean podcast, host Andrew Lewin discusses the ongoing struggle to raise awareness about climate change and the detrimental effects of misinformation on public perception and policy. He highlights a recent article from The Cool Down that reveals how organizations are financially supported to spread false narratives and apathy regarding climate change. Andrew reflects on historical examples, such as the successful efforts to...
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The Great Bait Ball: Unraveling the 10 Million Capelin Predation Event
How To Protect The Ocean
In this episode of the "How to Protect the Ocean" podcast, host Andrew Luen discusses a remarkable predation event that occurred in 2014 in the Barents Sea off the coast of Norway. During this event, approximately 2 million Atlantic cod consumed around 10 million capelin, which is nearly 50% of the capelin population present at the time. The episode highlights how this massive predation event was observed using advanced technology, specifically the Ocean Acoustic Waveguide Remote Sensing System (O-A-W-R-S). This system allowed scientists from MIT and Norway to detect and analyze the behavior...
info_outlineIn this episode of the "How to Protect the Ocean" podcast, host Andrew Lewin discusses the 2024 Living Planet Report, titled "A System in Peril," released by WWF and the London Zoological Society. The report highlights a staggering decline in biodiversity, with species populations down by 73% over the last 50 years. Specific regions, such as Latin America and Africa, have seen even more drastic declines, with losses of 95% and 76%, respectively.
Lewin emphasizes the importance of biodiversity, explaining that it is crucial for maintaining the stability of ecosystems. He illustrates how losing a single species can disrupt the balance within an ecosystem, leading to broader environmental issues, such as coral reef degradation due to algae overgrowth when herbivorous fish like parrotfish are removed.
The episode outlines several reasons why individuals should care about biodiversity:
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Personal Connection: Biodiversity directly impacts local communities and the natural areas they cherish. By fostering a personal connection to these environments, individuals are more likely to advocate for their protection.
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Education and Awareness: Engaging media and community outreach can help raise awareness about the importance of biodiversity and its role in sustaining healthy ecosystems.
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Involvement and Empowerment: Encouraging participation in conservation projects and sustainable practices empowers individuals to take action in their communities.
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Economic Incentives: Highlighting the financial benefits of preserving nature, such as ecotourism and sustainable fishing, can motivate people to support biodiversity initiatives.
Lewin calls for transformative actions in food, energy, and financial systems, as well as enhanced conservation efforts that involve indigenous and local communities. He stresses the need to hold politicians accountable for biodiversity protection and urges listeners to connect with nature and share their experiences.
In conclusion, the episode serves as a reminder of the critical state of biodiversity and the collective responsibility to protect it for the health of our planet and future generations.
Link to report: https://www.wwf.org.uk/our-reports/living-planet-report-2024
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