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- The Ripple - September 2023
Hello FutureSwell readers - welcome back to The Ripple, a monthly blue newsletter packed with all things oceans for ocean people. From New York climate week to local community events, itʻs been a busy month + we have a lot to share.
But first…
Have You Ever Seen a Baby Whale Shark?! 😍
This video of a rescued whale shark pup getting released into the wild may be the best part of our month. Adult whale sharks can grow more than 30 feet in length, so it is incredible to see one so small it can be held in someone’s hands. WARNING: Cuteness overload!
And just in case you need a reminder of why “environmentalism” is important…
Under the Hood: What's New?
ICYMI: Ocean Climate Action & New York Climate Week
As the largest carbon sink, creator of clean air, and regulator of our global climate system - the ocean is our biggest ally in the climate crisis. Why should ocean conservationists even care about climate week? We discussed it in last weeks S&S episode.
And in case you donʻt have 22 minutes to listen to that episode, we collaborated with partner, 12Tides, to break it down.
New York Climate Week last week marked huge progress for our ocean. It started with a 75,000+ person march demanding an #EndtoFossilFuels and continued with 70+ States signing on to ratify the High Seas Treaty. There was a call to provide personhood to whales, and so much more. Futureswellʻs Bodhi Patil was on the ground, and shared his key takeaways from the week long experience.
In our ocean series era: we launched Finding Blackfish!
We just launched our first mini series, called FINDING BLACKFISH, the first episode series of STOKED ON SOLUTIONS. This four part series documents our search for orcas in the San Juan Islands, where persistence pays off. You can find the episodes on our Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube shorts.
This is just the first of a new era of ocean storytelling, where we share solutions + ocean experiences up close and personal. The next one take place in one of the most well protected islands on Earth 👀
Futureswell on Youtube
If you have not subscribed to our YouTube yet, here are some things you have been missing. You can watch podcast episodes there - like Carissaʻs experience of what a National Geographic Expedition is really like, and watch ocean experiences through vlogs + short films.
4Ocean Podcast Episode 🎙️
This month on Sustainability & The Sea Podcast we sat down with Alex Schulze of 4Ocean and discuss how he turned a bracelet into a movement for clean oceans. We go back to how it all began, exploring the business model he used to create jobs and a conservation impact.
Blue News
New Civilian Climate Corps Announced!
Just days after the 75,000+ person march in NYC, President Biden announced the creation of a Civilian Climate Corps! Housed under AmeriCorps, this federally funded program will put thousands of young Americans to work in climate and conservation priorities, including restoring blue carbon ecosystems like wetlands and managing forests to prevent wildfires. The best part? You donʻt need experience to apply, they will invest in training you to begin your climate career. The first cohort is set to begin as early as 2024!
This historic climate win is the result of years of organizing and advocacy. A core leader, the Sunrise Movement, shares just what went into making this a reality in the short story below.
World Riverʻs Day
September 24th was World Riverʻs Day and we wanted to share how river conservation is directly connected to ocean conservation. Someone called rivers the arteries of our ocean planet and it changed our perspective forever. We teamed up with Riverʻs are Life to give you tools on how to protect rivers and participate in river conservation!
New Hybrid Bear Roaming the Arctic
Scientists have discovered a new hybrid bear slowly establishing itself in the arctic as global warming forces two species closer together. The new bear is the result of breeding between a terrestrial grizzly bear and marine polar bears. Grizzly bears, famous for its bulk size and aggressive nature, occupy habitat ranges from the northern United States into upper Canada. Polar bears occupy land and ice territory in the Arctic, known for relentless aggression and apex predatory behaviors.
As global warming continues to increase surface temperatures, grizzly territory continues to expand northward and polar bears are being forced south as stable ice decreases. As these two species continue to overlap scientists are monitoring the increasing frequency of their peculiar hybrid offspring in the wild. Read more.
Ocean Careers
Blue Advice! Back by popular demand, we hope to give you ocean career tools, resource, and advice for you to be as successful as possible. Shoot us a DM on Instagram with your ocean career question!
Subscribe to this job board for marine biology, conservation, and environmentalism opportunities!!
Featured Opportunities!
Our goal is to get as many people as possible involved in marine conservation.
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INTERNSHIPS
Community Feature: National Council for Nonprofits
Plugging into an organization is the most empowering way to begin your environmental path and learn how you want to give back to the world. The National Council for Nonprofits has a database of organizations for you to explore and find one that fits with your goals as an environmentalist. Whether itʻs advocacy, education, or conservation - you can find a nonprofit through their catalog.