Sustainability and The Sea

"You donʻt have to go because I just summarized it all for you" If youʻve ever wanted to join a climate conference, this is for you! Carissa summarizes the biggest takeaways from Aspen Ideas: Climate Future Leaders Summit including how to shift deep narratives, music festivals as a climate pathway, and some big tips on what weʻre slacking on to save the planet.

Stay connected with Aspen Future Leaders 🌍 https://www.instagram.com/aspenfutureleaders/

"People know climate change is the largest threat to our reef, but less than 5% know what climate action they can take to do something about it." Learn from social scientists Dr. Yolanda Waters and Executive Director of Divers for Climate, an Australia-based org working to mobilize dive communities around climate advocacy to save the Great Barrier Reef. We deep dive her social science research, showing exactly how to talk about ocean climate action, and learn more about how her org is making waves to save the reef.

Learn more about Divers for Climate

🪸 Website: https://diversforclimate.com

🪸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diversforclimate/

Have you every wanted to go to a climate conference? This week Futureswell is headed back to Aspen Ideas: Climate again this year, so weʻre resharing the experience from last year.

"This episode is for people who are curious how other parts of the world are implementing ocean conservation at the community based level." After some hot takes about how rapid development and the portrayal of Bali online is harmful, Alex & Carissa discuss the ocean conservation solutions they experienced first-hand including coral restoration, beach clean ups, local food systems, sea turtle rehabilitation, and more.

"If you are passionate about it, your skill is needed." In our first two on one interview, we sit down with Lydia and Sarah, co-hosts of the new Ocean Stories podcast. Ocean Stories focuses on reaching people with fun, entertaining, and positive ocean content so we can be inspired to protect it. Listen to Ocean Stories 🎧 Listen now: https://msha.ke/oceanstoriespodcast 🎧 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oceanstories_podcast/

"We can make a powerful change - ship smart, ship less." Our current shipping industry accounts for 2% of global emissions - even though zero emission alternatives exist. We sit down with Alejandra Terán of SAILCARGO to discuss how they are charting a new course for this industry, guided by sustainable materials and practices.

Learn more about SAILCARGO

“Whatever you love and believe in, put those values to work in your career.” To kick off season 4, we sit down to hear the personal story of Pat Schnettler, cofounder of 12tides, a growing kelp chip brand. We discuss how he went from working in the industrial fishing industry to building a regenerative ocean farming that support kelp forests, farmers, and protects our planet.

"That was THIS YEAR?!" Alex and Carissa reflect over the milestones Futureswell took in 2023, from our campaigns to our media channels to whatʻs in store for 2024. We couldnʻt be here without you all, so thank you for wanting to save the ocean with us. See you in 2024!

“You have to go in with a plan, and we need to work together.” COP28 begins November 2023, with outcomes and climate commitments shared by mid-December. Consider this your COP crash course. This week we sit down with Hailey Campbell, a youth climate organizer who has dedicated most of her career to pushing for climate solutions internationally, especially during the annual Conference of Parties. We talk all things COP28 including what it is, what the zones mean, how young people can get there, what negotiations are a priority this year, and what a “successful,” COP28 would look like.

"If Lauren didn't save me, I would have drowned." In part 2, Carissa and Alex share two more near-death experiences in the ocean. Alex gets a tsunami scared while living off-grid in a remote island at sea level, and Carissa panics in the biggest waves she's ever experienced on the North Shore of O'ahu (as a new surfer).

"Did you really think you were going to die?" Carissa and Alex recount two near-death, quite sketchy ocean stories they both had, and explain exactly what happened. Alex ran out of air in Alaska at 60 feet, and Carissa ran out of gas on a zodiac offshore. Next week, come back for two more.

“Its about doing more good for our ocean, not less bad.” Founded in 2019, Seatrees and Sustainable Surfʻs is build solutions that our ocean desperately needs, and how you can support them. We sit down with Alena Riggs to learn all the details, from the growth of their ecoboards to activating the surf community, reforesting the ocean through seatrees and blue carbon ecosystems, and their ocean positive certification. 

Connect with Sustainable Surf & SeaTrees:

“Youre not going to make as much money as a big oil executive. But there is so much opportunity in this field and its only growing.” Today we sit down to answer the most burning question we get - how much money can you make in this field? We discuss job options, what can influence salary, and creative ways to make money in a field that is changing rapidly.

"This work is ours to do." Today, Carissa sits down 1:1 to discuss the importance of climate protests, why this yearʻs climate week is important, and breaks down how ocean conservation and climate action is one in the same.

"My goal has always been to make sustainability cool." Today we sit down with Alex Schulze of 4Ocean and discuss how he turned a new business into a movement for clean oceans. We go back to how it all began, the business model he used to create jobs and impact, and the importance of sharing your passion + purpose through storytelling. This episode is a must listen.

"If you have an idea and a skillset, you should try." Today Alex sits down with a group of inspiring high school students who came together on their own to develop solutions to illegal and unregulated fishing threats to the ocean - using coding and artificial intelligence. Their project, DEEPSEAS, is an incredible example of what is possible when passionate people work together to build the future they want.

"National Geographic would have paid to be here." Carissa and Alex sit down to reflect on their bucket list trip to the San Juan Islands to see orcas, and all the conservation lessons we can use as templates. We share our incredible experience seeing transient orcas in the wild, watching them hunt, and the deep knowledge the naturalists had. We also discuss some sustainability tourism approaches the island had, and how whale watching economies can be used to accelerate ocean protection.

"PFJ is so deeply rooted in privilege and access, sustainability was rooted out of survival and low income folks have been practicing this for so much longer." Plastic Free July is attractive to sustainability-minded folks for a number of reasons, but I wanted to highlight all the lessons Iʻve learned along the way so you donʻt have to learn them the hard way - all from my backyard (sorry for wind!) This episode is full of easy information on the systemic challenges to a plastic free society, and the ways plastic pollution is connected to capitalism, climate, human health, infertility, consumerism, and more.

Let me know what you think!

"We need to make sure these stories end up on the same platform." If you've ever asked "how can I live for a better ocean?" this episode is for you. Today we sit down with someone I've looked up to for a long time, Andrew Lewin. He is the host of "How to Protect the Ocean," one of the original ocean conservation podcasts for almost 10 years of episodes. We discuss the importance of science communication, podcasts, media, and how we can translate ocean stories into policy, action, and behavior change.

"I want to be friends with people who want to clean up trash on a Saturday." This episode is for listeners that are just beginning their sustainability journey, and want to #Unlittertheirhabits and life! Shannon from Unlitter sit down to discuss how the Unlitter team began a national community as college students, and brought waste solutions to life: from biodegradable glitter to thrift fashion shows to hosting a year-round internship program. *This episode has internship opportunities*

Get in touch with Unlitter:

“If you’re in a position to do something, you have to do something.” Today we sit down with Max Kushner, a diver and ocean conservationist based on Hawai'i Island. We talk through what is needed to make diving a career, what responsible diving looks like and how we can all support it, the importance of policy, and shark finning and conservation. This episode is great for anyone

Today we share and discuss three examples of ocean conservation solutions that could be replicated and applied elsewhere, including sea turtle conservation campaign in Palau, a bottom-up marine protected area approach in Chile, and the approach to tourism management in the Galápagos Islands. Consider how you can replicate these solution models for your own work or community.

Mentioned:

“You don’t have to confine yourself to one type of expression.” Today Carissa sits down with Max Sano, a Gen Z founder of Greenzine, an interdisciplinary, intersectional and multimedia storytelling platform by youth leaders working to raise public awareness on underreported environmental topics. We talk about the need for better climate coverage, in many forms, and how YOU can contribute as a creator, writer, and communicator, and drop some job opportunities!

"It was the soft skills all along." Sit down with us while we dish out the most valuable advice for future ocean conservationists over some late morning coffee. We had to learn all these lessons the hard way, so you donʻt have to! We speak on schools, programs, skills to gain, and building your network.

“If weʻre compassionate and care about the environment and future generations, we need to ask ourselves if we are living every day in a way that allows our values to shine through? And voting.” We sit down with one of the most inspiring people Iʻve had a privilege to work with, Doorae Shin, an activist for a lifetime and incredible environmentalist. We recount her journey in advocacy and activism, starting from her early years and first win - instate the first campus-wide styrofoam ban at the University of Hawaiʻi in 2014. She opens the curtain to how transformational policy gets passed, including her personal story of how local elections decided by less than 100 votes ultimately resulted in passing bill 40 in 2019, a widespread plastic ban for Hawaiʻi and one of the most comprehensive single use plastic ban in the nation that she was apart of. We discuss what mature activism looks like, how to sustain optimism, and how insidious industries use misinformation to stop policies that protect our planet and environment. She shares how her journey in nonprofit organizations lead her to going freelance to build wealth and progress many issues, just like me, and conclude with her goals for herself and advice for early-career change makers. Her story reminds me of the my favorite quote by Margaret Mead, “Never doubt that a small group of people can change the world, it is the only thing that ever has.”

Keep up with Doorae impact work

"We are all the ocean." Learn about the value of attending climate conferences as an early-career professional, how to make the most out of your experience, and how to get there in the first place. In this solo episode, Carissa recounts her experience as a speaker at Aspen Ideas Climate and representing the ocean in the climate conversation. 

Follow Carissa and TCC: @carissaandclimate @theconservationistcollective

"I cannot go on with the knowledge of whatʻs coming without doing everything I can to stop it. I canʻt look away from this, and frankly, I donʻt understand people who can." Join us for a conversation with Dr. Peter Kalmus, a NASA climate scientist, also known as the climate activist who chained himself to Chase Bank in LA in 2022. Peter shares exactly how to make the climate movement more powerful than the fossil fuel industry, and what it means to change the climate social fabric of society. We touch on what climate disobedience is, how the media is falling short on communicating climate, climate disinformation and his personal journey with activism, ecoanxiety, and staying motivated. We answer questions like: How can we hold the folks responsible accountable? What is the best thing to do to take action? How do we co-create a resilient climate movement, and de-escalate divisions inside it? I loved hearing Peterʻs perspective, especially his own approach to attacking social norms and what he personally gains from his own activism experiences. 

Keep an open mind, and join the climate party when youʻre done. 

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"Seek out opportunities to explore our ocean as much as you can." Carissa interviews her friend and colleague Dr. Adam Pack, a researcher who has been studying dolphins and whales in Hawaiian waters for the last twenty years. We worked on the same team during the September 2022 National Geographic expedition studying cetacean vocalizations in Hawaiian waters. What I love about Adam is how much I can learn from his generation of ocean discovery, and his dedication to science communication. While this episode is more focused on cetacean science, it truly conveys where the field of marine mammal acoustics is at this time. Come along with us while we interview Adam about his expedition research objectives, his career, all things dolphins and whales, and nuggets of wisdom he has to share for aspiring marine mammal biologists. 

"Get in the water." Blue mind is the area of research and understanding of the ways that water makes us more focused, centered, calm, present, creative, and content. Dr. Nichols pioneered this concept through his book, Blue Mind Theory, as part of his career as a marine biologist and conservationist. We sit down for a lovely conversation about his journey, the different types of water that can support blue mind, his process as an innovator of this space, and how we can all find our own blue mind personal and unique to us. This episode is for listeners looking for tools to experience more peace in their day to day, and those of us who feel a deep connection to water. 

“Itʻs not just governments or nonprofits, businesses can have a huge impact on climate change.” Can we reach our climate goals globally if businesses donʻt change? Jenny Morgans works to help businesses do better for the planet - from carbon removal to carbon avoidance to certifications and changing their internal systems. She provides tools and pathways for companies to make a real change and helps them get there, and the most effective ways for us as consumers to push companies to do better.

“It has always been trash for me.” Come listen to marine debris-ologist Lauren Chamberlain talk about how she has dedicated her life to protecting our oceans against plastic pollution, and what the biggest sources of marine debris are from a first-hand perspective. From hosting beach clean ups as a kid to running a marine debris program to participating in expeditions to clean up fishing gear from the northwestern Hawaiian Islands with Papahānaumokuākea Marine Debris Project (PMDP), Lauren's journey represents a lifelong passion and dedication to protecting our ocean. If you feel called to work in plastic pollution and waste solutions, this episode is for you.

"What did we do this year? What didnʻt we do this year?" Alex and Carissa sit down over wine to review what exactly our team did this year at The Conservationist Collective. From the projects we supported, the media campaigns we ran, or the clients we worked with, our goal was to bring you into the trenches of what our company and work is like behind the scenes. Thank you for an incredible community with this podcast and being part of it all with us - this is just the beginning. The best is yet to come. 

“Young people might think they canʻt get a job in marine conservation, but they CAN. Now is the time.” Dr. David Vaughan is a coral restoration expert, founder of Plant a Million Corals, and passionate conservationist. He is responsible for developing coral micro-fragmentation by accident, which is an extremely effective coral restoration technique that is widely used today (including in Hawaiʻi). He is on the pursuit to plant coral reefs at scale and bring coral restoration to the masses, and he just released his new book, Secret Life of Corals, to do just that. During our lovely conversation he shared his journey, thoughts on ocean conservation approaches, his opinion of social media, and his best advice for young people. 

This was such a lovely conversation, I immediately donated to his foundation afterwards. If you feel the same, I encourage you to support his work in some way, too.

Made by ocean people, for ocean people. Led by two marine conservationists committed to building bridges, Sustainability & The Sea is a collection of conversations about saving our ocean - what are the problems, who is solving them, how itʻs being done, and how we can all participate. Made for the ocean-minded, this show will introduce you to the challenges our ocean faces, and the amazing people making waves across the world. Letʻs dive in!

“Ask those who know more than you, ask questions to people you believe have the answers, and ask yourself what you can bring to the table for our ocean.” After returning from COP27 in Egypt, Bodhi Patil sits down with us to share the biggest ocean takeaways from the experience, and his messages to youth. As a young ocean climate solutionist, Bodhi is personally building bridges and programs that represent the future he wants to create for his generation. He has a lot to say, including exactly the ways that organizations and institutions need to step up as leaders and use an intergenerational and intersectional approach. He shares his story, his work, his advice for fellow young people, and his key messages for all of us. This episode feels like a breath of fresh air, 80% of which came from the ocean. :)

"Apply yourself early and often, and get what experience you can - it is going to be applicable in some way or another." Carissa and Alex sit down to share how they got where they are now, and answer all your questions along the way. What major should you choose? What classes should you take in college? How can you make sure that you are specializing in what you want? We answer it all and share our best pieces of advice so you can help all of us save the ocean.

Featured in the episode:

"No matter what your field was in, you can still get into coral restoration. Don't lose faith, there's so many more opportunities coming in this decade." Today we sit down and talk with the magnificent Brooke Elzweig, a coral restoration leader who has experience from Florida to the Red Sea. Coral restoration as a field is experiencing a rapid surge in resources and attention by large institutions, it's an incredible time to save the reef. Brooke has been working to accelerate and scale up restoration efforts for years, from diving to communications. In this episode Brooke breaks down what skills you need to work in coral conservation and restoration, how she got where she is, and the most valuable advice she's learned along the way. Save the reef!

Featured in the episode:

"All of us there were unified because we dedicated our lives to the natural world, and care and value discovery and exploration." In this episode Alex interviews Carissa about the National Geographic expedition she just returned from. After two weeks aboard the Nautilus with Ocean Exploration Trust and National Geographic Society, Carissa and a team of explorers, storytellers, and other educators embarked on a journey to better understand marine mammals and sharks in the Main Hawaiians Islands. In this interview, Carissa gives behind-the-scenes details of what an expedition like this is truly like, her team's goals and outcomes for dolphins and whales in the area, and exactly how to participate in an experience like this.  

Featured in the episode:

Email us to get Cetacean Connections in your classroom: theconservationistcollective@gmail.com

"Is it actually too late to save the ocean? It's too late to expect someone else to." In this solo episode, Carissa sits breaks down some extremely high impact ways to actually save the ocean that you can start doing today. We simplify two large-scale conservation topics you should know about: 30x30 Marine Protected Areas and Deep Sea Mining, and then go into individual (but collective) actions you can take to live in a way that is ocean-minded. You won't find any discussions of metal straws here, but you will leave feeling less confused about how to conserve, protect, and take care of our blue planet.

Featured in the episode:

"We don't want to perpetuate these systems of exploitation in marine conservation, we want to make sure that everyone feels included." In this episode Alex and Carissa, co-founders of The Conservationist Collective, sit down and discuss how the competition mindset inhibits real change in marine science and conservation. We discuss examples from our own experience, and unpack systemic ways this outlook exploits workers and creates barriers to accessibility in the field. We also dive into the leaders we've seen do the opposite, how to unlearn this scarcity perspective and put the collaboration mindset into practice. We believe everyone has a place in saving the ocean, so let's actively rebuild an equitable career field that uplifts everyone else - from the inside out. 

Featured in the episode:

"The more time you spend in the ocean the more you can break down your own conceptions about sharks" In honor of Shark Week, Carissa and Alex sit down after a long episode break to discuss sharks, how their reputation was formed, and the threats to shark populations globally including the shark meat trade and our current conceptions about them. We go through all of our own personal experiences with sharks, to help you learn about what it's like to really coexist with them. 

Suggested Resources:

Racing Extinction Documentary

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“When it comes to climate change, I've learned that you really have to slow down and consider the values and loyalties of the other groups that you are working with.” This week, we sit down with Anita Harrington to discuss the huge role policy plays in marine conservation. Anita is a marine scientist who studied great white sharks, whales, and box jellies and is now a Knauss Fellow working in the science applications program in Washington DC. On this episode we discuss her work in collaborative conservation; what it feels like to accidentally discover a new species; indigenous communities serving as a frontrunner of climate adaptation; and the powerful uses of biotechnology in conservation. 

Resources: 

"With so many different forms of media and the accessibility of information, people can start questioning what they have been told and acting on what they think is right." On this episode, we sit down with Natalie Parra to discuss the importance of media in conservation. Natalie recalls how she got into conservation and how her organization Keiko Conservation got started and the tangible results that come from media campaigns. Later in the episode, Natalie describes her experiences in Taiji, Japan working with Dolphin Project, the transition from seaquariums to rehabilitation and wildlife centers, her work with Oceanic Preservation Society, and the future of conservation media.  

Learn more: 

"So often, when you think of scientists, you think they have all these concrete answers. But when it comes to plastic research, we have only answered this tiny percentage of what is really going on and there are still so many unknowns." We sat down with Jenna Karr with the Center of Marine Debris Research (CMDR) to learn about the ground breaking work being conducted in regards to plastic pollution. On this episode we discuss ghost nets and what they are made of, eco-anxiety, and the female dominated, Hawai'i-based lab that is literally pioneering the methods of marine debris research. 

CMDR Resources:

"It's time to rethink what sustainable fisheries really are and to include the social impact as well as environmental." On this episode we talk with PhD candidate Gabby Lout to discuss the intersection between women, human rights, and the environmental issues surrounding the fishing industry. Gabby dives into her groundbreaking social science research in artisanal, small-scale fisheries in Guyana. During the episode, she recalls the human rights abuses that may take place within fisheries, the underrepresentation of women, criticism of 'sustainable seafood' labels, and the ways her and others are working towards solutions. 

Learn more:

"If your bathtub is overflowing, is your first reaction to get the mop or turn off the tap? It's the same with plastic." We sit down with Monica Mclenigan of Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii to learn more about the work this nonprofit is doing for our oceans. You'll learn about their work and their new program with ghost nets, if we need individual or corporate change first, how composting is linked to ocean health, incineration, and what makes SCH so effective at making disruptive change - and how you can too. 

"We know what we need to do." Ilana Nimz is a marine biologist, artist, educator, and ecological consultant. In this episode, she recounts stories from the northwestern Hawaiian Islands in Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, shares how art and other creative mediums can be used for the planet, and talks about all the ways she's helping save our oceans - from seabirds to videos.