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...
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AI and Water Usage: Do we really need to be worried about it?
How To Protect The Ocean
AI and Water are more connected than most people realize. As artificial intelligence continues to expand, the data centres that power it are using millions of litres of water every day to stay cool. This invisible demand is creating ripple effects across our freshwater systems, and ultimately, our ocean. In this episode, Andrew Lewin uncovers how AI’s explosive growth is reshaping global water use. From groundwater depletion and saltwater intrusion near coastal data hubs to desalination discharges harming marine life, the story goes far beyond servers and code. He breaks down how indirect...
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Green sea turtle conservation: How one species’ recovery gives hope amid a sea of decline
How To Protect The Ocean
Green sea turtle conservation shows us what’s possible when people, policy, and passion align. Once nearly wiped out by overharvesting and habitat loss, the green sea turtle has made an inspiring recovery after decades of global protection. In this episode, Andrew Lewin shares a deeply personal story of encountering a turtle nest in Florida with his daughters and reflects on how that moment connects to today’s IUCN Red List update. But while the turtle story offers hope, the latest report warns of darker trends. Arctic seals like the harp, hooded, and bearded seals are now at greater risk...
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Coral reefs suffering from climate change: scientists warn we’ve crossed a tipping point
How To Protect The Ocean
Coral reefs suffering from climate change are no longer a warning for the future, they are happening now. A landmark scientific report reveals that warm-water reefs have already passed a tipping threshold due to global heating, leading to widespread die-offs and threatening the biodiversity and coastal protection they provide. For the millions of people who depend on reefs for food and livelihoods, this is not just an ocean issue but a global crisis. Global heating is pushing other critical systems — from ice sheets to the Amazon rainforest to the Atlantic Ocean circulation — closer to...
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Madagascar Environment and Shark Science with Dr. David Ebert
How To Protect The Ocean
Madagascar Environment is at the center of this engaging conversation with Dr. David Ebert, a world-renowned shark scientist and co-host of Beyond Jaws. In this episode, we uncover the unique challenges and opportunities that Madagascar’s marine ecosystems face, from biodiversity conservation to the pressures of unsustainable fishing. Shark science takes on a new dimension as Dr. Ebert shares his experiences conducting fieldwork in Madagascar and how these insights contribute to our global understanding of marine species. This episode brings together conservation, local community needs, and...
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Vaquita warns us about sharks: lessons for the ocean’s future
How To Protect The Ocean
Vaquita stands as one of the rarest marine mammals on Earth, with fewer than 20 left in the wild. In this episode, we explore what the near-extinction of the vaquita teaches us about the future of sharks and why their survival is critical to the health of the ocean. Sharks play an essential role in keeping marine ecosystems balanced, yet they face many of the same threats that doomed the vaquita: bycatch, overfishing, and weak enforcement. This episode dives into the parallels, the urgency of acting before it is too late, and how the loss of sharks would ripple into every part of our lives,...
info_outlineSea Turtle Conservation in Florida is hard and it's about to get harder with the onset of increased intensity of hurricanes and increased sea level rise.
Sea Turtle Conservation has been successful over the past few decades with protection policies being implemented along Florida coastlines. Still, hurricane events and increased sea level rise can wipe out nests in one storm killing hundreds of thousands of sea turtles.
In this episode of the How to Protect the Ocean podcast, host Andrew Lord discusses the challenges facing sea turtle conservation in Florida, particularly in light of climate change. While sea turtles have seen a resurgence due to decades of conservation efforts, new threats are emerging that jeopardize their future.
The episode highlights the impact of climate change, specifically the increase in hurricane intensity and rising sea levels, on sea turtle nesting. The 2024 hurricane season demonstrated these vulnerabilities, with storms like Hurricane Beryl and Hurricane Debbie destroying hundreds of nests along Florida's Gulf Coast. The physical toll on nesting beaches, including erosion and loss of habitat, poses a significant threat to the survival of sea turtles.
Sea turtles play a crucial role in marine ecosystems, maintaining the health of seagrass beds and coral reefs. Their decline could have far-reaching consequences for marine biodiversity. The episode emphasizes that protecting sea turtles from climate change impacts is a complex challenge that requires collective action.
Listeners are encouraged to support beach conservation programs, advocate for climate action, and get involved with local organizations dedicated to protecting sea turtles and their habitats. Despite the daunting challenges posed by climate change, the episode conveys a message of hope, urging individuals to take action to ensure the survival of these iconic marine creatures.
Link to article: https://phys.org/news/2024-12-florida-sea-turtle-success-story.html
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