The Ripple: July Issue

This issue will focus on the wave of updates on deep sea mining around the world, share internal Futureswell announcements, a content roundup, and some amazing blue jobs hiring now. 🌊

But first, happy belated Plastic Free July 🌊

Each year Plastic Free July marks an opportunity to spotlight how plastic pollution harms ocean and human health, and how we can all be part of solutions.

• 1 garbage truck full of debris enters our oceans every minute

• 1 million marine animals are killed by plastic pollution each year

• 80% of marine debris is directly contributed by land-based sources

Individual Solution:

Reducing dependency on plastic can start small and be built on consistent habits. The quiz below can help you get started!

Collective Solution:

Federal policy incentivizing less plastic and holding petrochemical corporations accountable is our most effective path forward.

• The Biden-Harris administration announced they will phase out single-use plastics on government land. Thank goodness.

• Internationally, the Global Plastics Treaty remains our strongest global commitment to stop production and strip power from petrochemical companies that produce plastic from fossil fuels. Support the treaty today!

• Follow Beyond Petrochemicals to stay informed on the justice lens of plastic pollution.

NEW 2024 Futureswell Merch Drop! 🔥

We are so excited to share that after a YEAR of designing we are dropping FutureSwell merch for our ocean community! Hannah Ment has incorporated our inclusive ocean conservation values into the ‘Wear What You Love Collection’. Our merch is made to order with partners at Bonfire who avoid excess production using a zero inventory process.

🗑️ Fabrics are developed with organic cotton and recycled materials to avoid plastics and textile waste.

♻️ Produced in factories with a #WRAPcertificaiton focused on ethical wages and social responsibility

🌎 Shipped in 100% recyclable mailers.

All proceeds from our merch sales contribute to funding free storytelling projects for organizations and projects that do not have creative budgets, so we can amplify amazing work around the world.

Sustainability & The Sea Roundup🎥

Community Events🤝

Mark your calendars for Sunday September 1, 2024 weʻre co-hosting a community event on deep sea mining in Honolulu. Follow us on Instagram to stay updated and register this August!

Oceans of Blue News

Deep Sea Mining: Every Update You Need to Know 🦈

Right now, world leaders are gathered in Jamaica for the International Seabed Authority to determine next steps for the industry. This comes after the groundbreaking discovery that deep sea nodules are found to produce oxygen, in what scientists are calling “dark oxygen!” This discovery underscores the importance of deep sea ecosystems, how little we understand about them, and how a precautionary approach to deep sea mining is needed.

Some updates from the ISA and the deep sea mining movement:

1. Leticia Carvalho is elected 79-32 as the new Secretary General of the International Seabed Authority, replacing a mining advocate with an ocean advocate! 🌊

2. Futureswell joined 50+ organizations in a letter to the Biden administration to take a clear stance against deep sea mining! 🦈

3. Dark Oxygen discovery announced ahead of ISA negotiations ☀️

4. Five addition countries take a stand against starting deep sea mining, bringing the global coalition to 32 countries. The countries include: Honduras, Tuvalu, Guatemala, Malta, and Austria. 🌊

Vital Ocean Currents Risking Catastrophic Collapse

Climate change continues to invoke multitudes of changes on Earth’s environment, many of which the extent is unknown. One potentially disastrous effect could influence the modification or collapse of Earth’s most important ocean currents.

Studies suggest the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation pattern has been weakening over the last few decades with some predictions estimating irreversible changes beginning this decade. Modifications in any ocean currents could drastically change heat and precipitation circulation globally. Read more

Swimmers to Circumnavigate Maui Promoting Ocean Health

The Epic Swim Maui event will be the first in a Global Expedition Swim Series to promote ocean health and scientific research in honor of Duke Kahanamoku. No swimmer has ever covered the 190 miles around Maui island, and in the next weeks 14 swimmers will attempt it. The event is seeking to remain carbon neutral while enlisting help from local watermen and women to aid the swimmers. Read more

Ocean Career Building

Check out our video where Carissa talks about 29 lessons she learned in marine conservation throughout her career. She goes in depth on navigating collaborations, advice, mistakes, and so much more. Watch here 🎥

• Stakeholder Coordination Officer Stakeholder Coordination Officer - UN Ocean Decade✨

• Communications Officer - UN Ocean Decade✨

• Project Officer, Ocean Decade Capacity Development - UN Ocean Decade✨

• ESA Specialist, A.I.S. - Hawai’i, USA

• Resource Protection Specialist, NOAA - California, USA

• Research Scientist / Marine Ecologist, CPC - American Samoa

• Environmental Science Intern, The Conservancy of Southwest Florida - Florida, USA

• Aquatic Sustainability Intern, Georgia Aquarium - Georgia, USA

• Wildlife Rehabilitation Intern, Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network - California, USA

Upcoming elections at the local level can determine your regions leadership on climate and other issues, and how resilient your community can be. You can check your registration below ✨