The Ripple - October 2022

Happy October, TCC family! This month's Ripple is focused on supporting YOU in conserving the ocean through our resources, and making it as easy as possible to be the change you want to see.

Did you know that despite the intense natural disasters we are facing on a monthly basis, the U.S. still hasn't declared a climate emergency? Did you know that the ocean is still being left out of climate policy? Even though it regulates our entire global climate system? We are facing a closing window of opportunity to safeguard this planet, and we can't do it without top-down policy. That's why we must vote to ensure our political leaders are climate-forward ocean advocates! The midterm elections are here, so we've teamed up with ACE to make it as easy as possible for you to vote. 

Sign the pledge below to Promise to Vote and you'll get a few texts between now and the election to know 1) If you're registered 2) Where your polling place is, and 3) How to vote-by-mail. This is how we do the work.

We're home from the National Geographic Expedition!

The two week expedition through the Main Hawaiian Islands to better understand dolphin vocalizations was a tremendous success! The expedition was part or a larger collaboration between National Geographic Society and Ocean Exploration trust to bring storytellers, educators, and explorers together to serve science and engage local students in discovery. Get an inside look into the experience through the field log below, and our most recent Sustainability & The Sea podcast episode.

Blue Messages: Ocean conservation just got 10x easier.

It can be so difficult to stay updated on what's going on in the field, what new jobs are out there, the best podcast episodes to learn from, or even how to help. That's why we just launched Blue Messages, a text program, for our TCC family! We won't ever spam you, it's our blue promise. We plan to send ~10 texts per month about ocean-related things you'll want to know about. It could be job opportunities, announcements, ways to help, and access to inside information.

📣 P.S. We're launching a sustainable collection of ocean-minded clothing pieces, so you can speak up for the ocean with what you wear! Every piece is made-to-order, crafted in small-batches, and all products are WRAP certified to ensure ethical production. It's launching 11.4.2022. Text subscribers will be provided early access :)

Blue News

Conservation International dropped a report describe the Carbon Law for Nature, offering a detailed roadmap on how to keep temperatures below 2 degrees using blue carbon, land management, and nature-based climate solutions.

Maui says NO to chemical sunscreens!

🪸 A new law in Maui County, including Maui, Lanai, and Moloka'i, banned the use of non-mineral sunscreens unless required by a medical prescription. The sweeping policy took effect this month, making it illegal to use, sell, or distribute any chemical sunscreens within the county. This is a step further than the the State ban on sunscreens that contain oxybenzone and octinoxate, and includes all chemicals, which are link to coral reef damage under heavy concentrations.

The U.S. is getting sued for failing to protect corals!

Early this month the Center for Biological Diversity filed an intent to sue the federal government for failing to protect more than 20 Caribbean and Indo-Pacific coral species. These specific species were all added onto the Endangered Species Act (ESA) list in 2014, but lacked any protective rules or regulations required by law under the ESA.

NOAA Pledging $14 Million Toward Aquaculture

The NOAA Sea Grant foundation has committed to allocating $14 million in federal funds to improve the United States aquaculture sector across the nation! The commitment will help to scale sustainable aquaculture including commercial seaweed production!

Now is the time.

• Associate Director & Brand Partnerships, The Nature Conservancy, Remote

• Project Coordinator @ The Center for Marine Debris Research, Hawai'i, USA

• Research Scientist @ The Center for Marine Debris Research, Hawai'i, USA

• Science Communication Fellowship, Ocean Explorer Trust

• Coral Conservation and Reef Restoration, Florida, USA

In the wake of another climate disaster, Hurricane Ian has devastated thousands of homes in Florida. The hurricane, which hit the coastline as a Category 5, is one of the strongest and most destructive hurricanes recorded in U.S. history. Review a summary of the Ian's impact by The Washington Post, and if able, donate to support disaster relief resources through the Red Cross below.