DEEP DIVE: The Alerting State of The Ocean – Inspiring Action and Searching for Solutions (Webinar)
Organised on 6 June 2024, find the recording below
Online Webinar
How is the ocean both a buffer against and a victim to climate change? How can a sense of connection to the ocean aid environmental action? What does concrete conservation look like?
Some of the world’s most passionate ocean professionals discuss the ocean crisis, advocacy work, conservation efforts, and the value of a personal connection to the ocean midst marine environmental changes.
Programme
We hear inspiring talks from our speakers, aquanaut Fabien Cousteau, marine biologist Lucy Woodall, ocean advocate Arya Yurdacan and ocean and wildlife photographer Greg Lecoeur.
Cousteau opens the floor by sharing his insights on ocean advocacy and showing some miraculous underwater footage.
Woodall helps us to better understand the ocean-climate nexus and the pressing changes happening in the ocean ecosystems.
Yurdacan shares with us the experiences of inspiring people to advocate for the ocean and sustainability.
Lecoeur will show us some wonderful underwater photography and share his experiences on how changes in marine environments can be noticed underwater.
In the second half of the webinar, we delve into the marine conservation work being put into practice in the Baltic Sea and the Mediterranean regions. Discussing the practical solutions to critical issues such as nature loss and eutrophication, are Annamari Arrakoski-Engardt, CEO of the John Nurminen Foundation, Alessio Satta, founder of the MEDSEA Foundation, and Sabine Roux de Bézieux, president of the Fondation de la Mer.
The event is hosted by journalist Katri Makkonen.
Speakers
Fabien Cousteau – Ocean advocacy: engaging people and empowering local communities
An Aquanaut, Oceanographic Explorer, Environmental Advocate and Founder of Proteus Ocean Group, Fabien Cousteau, the first grandson of Jacques-Yves Cousteau, is known for his versatile work on the ocean. He has famously studied sharks, been a member of multiple cause-driven and charitable boards and worked with local communities and children worldwide to help restore local water ecosystems. He currently dedicates much of his time to his non-profit Fabien Cousteau Ocean Learning Center (“FCOLC”) and PROTEUS™, the International Space Station of the Ocean. Fabien has received several awards such as Travel & Leisure’s 2022 Global Vision Award, the United Nations NEXUS Global Goals Award for Excellence and Leadership and David Attenborough Excellence in Filmmaking Award.
Lucy Woodall – How is climate change causing changes in the ocean?
Doctor, Lucy Woodall is an Associate Professor in Marine Conservation Biology and Policy at the University of Exeter and is the Principal Scientist at Nekton. She is a marine biologist with a passion for sharing the delights and importance of the aquatic world with global citizens. Using principles of transdisciplinary practice and co-production, Lucy endeavours to conduct marine research that informs contemporary ecological challenges globally. Her work broadly focuses on the processes that drive biodiversity in the ocean and she is interested in understanding the impacts of human activities on these patterns. She provides expert opinion on marine conservation and sustainable marine management, and is a member of many applied working groups such as the High Level Panel Expert Group for the UN on Sustainable Ocean Economy, IUCN SSC Seahorse, Pipefish and Seadragon Specialist Group and the DOSI Pollution and Debris Working Group and gives talks at public events throughout the year.
Arya Yurdacan – Inspiring and advocating for ocean conservation
Arya Yurdacan is a dedicated ocean conservationist and young entrepreneur. She is an alumna of the World Ocean Day Youth Advisory Council, a UPG Sustainability Leader, and recognized as one of the “20 Under 20” most inspiring entrepreneurs by Wise in 2020. As a member of the World Ocean Day Youth Advisory Council, Arya actively contributes to the development and implementation of initiatives aimed at promoting ocean conservation and sustainability. She collaborates with fellow council members to organize educational events, advocate for policy change, and engage with communities worldwide to inspire action for the protection of our oceans. As the co-founder of Entella, she and her team are focused on cleaning up the sea surface with innovative technology. Arya is passionate about protecting our oceans, raising awareness, and driving positive change.
Greg Lecoeur – The underwater world and its changes through the camera lens
Ocean and wildlife photographer Greg Lecoeur has been interested in marine biology and diving since a young age. His insights and unique perspective have been featured in many French and international publications. Deeply committed to the preservation of the oceans, his documentation and expeditions contribute to an in-depth knowledge of underwater biodiversity and the enhancement of our planet’s environmental heritage. Lecour was National Geographic’s Photographer of the Year in 2016 and has been honored with many other international awards. He is also the author of two books (REQUINS: guide de l’interaction, 2017; and ANTARCTICA, 2020). Lecoeur tells the oceans’ stories in order to touch people and raise awareness about the preservation of underwater ecosystems.
Discussion – In quest for solutions: Lessons learnt from the Baltic Sea and the Mediterranean
Annamari Arrakoski-Engardt
CEO, John Nurminen Foundation
The John Nurminen Foundation’s mission is to save the Baltic Sea and its heritage for future generations. The Foundation improves the status of the Baltic Sea by reducing the nutrient load and other environmental problems as well as safeguards the cultural heritage of the Sea.
Alessio Satta
Founder, MEDSEA Foundation
The MEDSEA Foundation, based in Cagliari, Sardinia, works for the protection and restoration of coastal marine ecosystems with the goal of accelerating the ecological transition process to halt biodiversity loss in the Mediterranean and adapt to climate change.
Sabine Roux de Bézieux
President, Fondation de la Mer
The Fondation de la Mer supports ocean actors, protects marine biodiversity, combats pollution at sea, supports research, encourages innovation and raises awareness among the public. Because we all have an impact, the Fondation de la Mer invites everyone to become a stakeholder in the preservation of the ocean, essential to the planet’s balance and to life itself.
The webinar was organised by the John Nurminen Foundation, the MEDSEA Foundation and the Fondation de la Mer.
Questions?
Please, do not hesitate to contact us with any questions regarding the webinar!
World Ocean Day
World Ocean Day provides a unique opportunity for a wide array of organizations and communities to come together on or around 8 June to honor and celebrate our one ocean that connects us all! Whether you live on the coast or far inland, we all need a healthy ocean and a stable climate to survive and thrive. The ocean generates most of the oxygen we breathe, helps feed us, cleans the water we drink, and regulates our climate. By protecting our ocean, we also protect our climate, and our future. Together, through thousands of events in 150+ countries, we can increase awareness and action in our communities and also generate the political will – at both the government and the corporate levels – to create a healthier blue planet and a better future for all.
