'Our Ocean to Save' - the challenges facing our ocean & glimmers of hope in reversing the trend

This is Gulf Coast Life. I’m Mike Kiniry, thanks for joining us. The challenges and threats the world's oceans face are severe, primarily driven by overfishing, habitat destruction, pollution, including plastics. And on top of it all, climate change. Over just the past 50 years, the size of the monitored marine wildlife populations has been reduced by more than half, and some experts predict that plastics will outweigh fish in the sea by 2050. Warm water coral reefs, which support something like a quarter of all marine life, have experienced severe, widespread bleaching events, covering upwards of 75% of global reef areas in recent years, pushing many to functional extinction. The collapse of historical fisheries like the North Atlantic codfish off Newfoundland, which crashed in the early 90s, clearly illustrate how populations can disappear faster than they can recover, leaving ecosystems permanently altered. It's clear to anyone paying attention that our ocean is not an inexhaustible wilderness, but a fragmenting ecosystem operating at a fraction of its historical abundance. All that is really dire. It really is. But my guest today is doing her part and encouraging others to pay attention and do whatever they can, even if it's just a tiny change in their own life to help reverse the trend line of ocean health. Because human health really does rely on oth ocean health. Emily Cunningham is a marine biologist based in the UK. Her brand new book is Our Ocean to Save How to Protect Our Greatest Climate Ally. She joins me today to talk about it. Welcome to the show, Emily. Hi, Mike. Thanks so much for having me. So for starters, give listeners sort of top level overview of your marine biology career so far and what you're up to these days besides writing and publishing this book. So I am a marine biologist. I specialized in marine in Wales and dolphins also river dolphins as well. And I've worked in ocean conservation all around the world, both in the U.K., Ascension Island, Antarctica, lots of wonderful places over the past 15 years. And in that time, I have seen that people genuinely want to know how they can help the ocean. But I didn't have a useful resource to signpost people to. So although I am not a writer, I've done my best to learn. I have written a book which I hope is the answer to the question how can I help the ocean? You say in the book and you make this very clear that you say ocean, not oceans like Atlantic versus Pacific, etc. can you explain why you approach it that way? So there are different regions of our ocean, like you say, Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, southern Arctic, but every one of them is connected. So what happens in one part can impact the others. They are one whole system. So for that reason I refer to them as singular ocean rather than oceans. Explain what you mean with the subtitle about the ocean being our greatest climate ally. So our ocean has absorbed 90% of the excess heat that has been created as a result of anthropogenic climate change. It also absorbs around a third of our carbon emissions. And so if we take care of our ocean, it can be our greatest ally in the fight against our containing climate. And so I wanted to kind of position it as something that we can help, and then something that can help us to. How does it feel to have the book out in the world? The epilog at the end was written at the beginning of this year, so it seems like it's probably been in the works for, I guess, almost 11 months. How does it feel for it to be like out in the world? Well, I started writing it three years ago when I was working in Antarctica, so and it has lived in my head for probably ten years. So actually to have a physical copy in my hands is surreal. Exciting. When when I first see it in a bookshop, that will be the moment, I think, when it feels truly real. You opened the book with going down in a submersible in in in in Antarctica. Can you just kind of recap that story and the impression that gave you. So I chose to open the book in that moment, I think, because it was such a transformational moment in my whole life. So when I was working down in Antarctica in 2022 to 2023, I was working on an expedition ship, and the ship had two submersibles, and I had the opportunity to go down and the areas of seabed that we were surveying, we were the first humans ever to go down and see those with our own eyes. And so the first time I went down, I was first of all, incredibly scared because I get very claustrophobic and it feels a bit unnatural to me going down to the seabed. But the moment that we arrived, I just knew I felt like there was the luckiest person in the world to get to see this incredible habitat. It was a carpet of color. There were sea stars as big as dustbin lids. There were, you know, sea spiders as big as my hand. Ice fish. They have antifreeze for blood instead of, you know, the same as we do. Different we do. And getting to see it with my own eyes, I just first of all, it was wonder and just incredible. Almost overwhelm. And then a sadness when I realized that actually, we might be the only humans to ever get to see it looking in this beautiful state because our ocean is changing so fast. So that was the moment I felt really felt right to open the book of the wonder of the ocean, how incredible it is. But all we stand to lose if we don't take action. recently did a show with a wildlife photographer who works for National Geographic, and his book was about the old growth cypress forests in the United States, and how only one tenth of 1% of the historic range is left. And it applies to what you're talking about, because I've grown up in Cyprus forests, but they weren't old growth. And so what I had become accustomed to was not really what they were capable of. Does that make sense? Yeah, absolutely. I do want to get to some of the positive stuff, but at the beginning, you very open about how the first half of the book is pretty dire. Like the stuff that I was reading in the intro and you talk about the, you know, the challenges, the personal challenges of writing that kind of stuff. But I just wanted to point out the one thing I mentioned plastic in the intro, and I was not deeply aware of the connection between our laundry and plastics in the oceans. Can you tie that together? And microfiber? And how much? Just us doing laundry at home contributes to microfiber plastic in the ocean? Sure. So micro fibers are small plastic fibers that are normally washed from our clothes. Now, most of our clothing is made in some form from plastic. You can check the label. If it says poly something, it's probably made from a plastic fiber. And so when we put those in the washing machine, the action of washing makes them shed the micro fibers. And at the moment, there's no way that they are caught during the sewage treatment process. So they just flow straight in the wastewater and out into the ocean. And we are talking billions and billions and billions flowing out into the ocean every single year. But the reason that that matters is, they are we have found them in, for example, in Antarctica when I was working on Antarctica. Every single water sample we took had micro fibers in there. So there is nowhere on Earth that has not been touched now by these plastic fibers from our clothes and other researchers in Antarctica. They found them in the stomachs of krill. Now, krill are small crustaceans, kind of like a shrimp. They're about the size of your little finger. And 60% of the krill that they sampled had these micro fibers in their stomach. And that will be impacting their health. And in turn, those are eaten by the seals and the whales and the seabirds. And at some point, those micro fibers come back to us in the seafood we're eating. So the reason I talk about this is it seems like, you know, this perfect link between the actions we take at home and actually how we impact the ocean. But there's such an easy fix because you can buy filters that you fit to your laundry machine that captures them all and stop them going into the ocean. So in a lot of cases, there are solutions for these problems as well. So let's pivot to the second half of your book now. Can you give a few examples because you break them down in the book of places or situations or species that you can cite where we have made success because of humans paying attention and maybe sort of banding together? Yeah. So there's some really lovely examples, particularly in North America. So in the US and Canada that I, I love. So sea otters are a great example of the Pacific coast. They've recovered incredibly well since the hunting has been better managed. So they're no longer hunted for their for their pelts for north and northern elephant seals. Again, in North America, their population was down to around 100 individuals in the late 19th century. And now there's 220,000 of them. So their population has recovered incredibly well in a relatively short amount of time. And for my favorite is humpback whales, I think probably because I study humpback whales. And we here in the UK have been seeing an incredible increase in the number of ways that are coming to our shore. But they were historically decimated through industrial whaling, so they were harpooned all around the world, and their populations dropped to such low levels that in the 60s they had to stop hunting them. It wasn't commercially viable anymore. And then in 1986, the global moratorium on commercial whaling came into place and is broadly observed, apart from by a few countries that stopped the industrial harvesting of whales. And lots of whale populations are showing a recovery. But humpback whales are pretty much recovered to those pre whaling levels in most of their populations worldwide. And that is within you know, my parents lifetime almost within my lifetime. And so it just shows when we take care of the ocean it can recover well and it can recover quickly. And habitats are a bit slower sometimes than species. So things like seagrass and coral reefs, coral reefs really are suffering with the changing climate. But you know, there are some great examples, like in Tampa Bay where seagrass has recovered pretty well. There's been some challenges in the recent decade. But you know, we again, we know what we need to do. We just need to do it. You know, when it comes to to marine mammals, you know, there was a time in, you know, not that long ago where people didn't really think about whales or dolphins or sea turtles. I guess they're not mammals, but, Or are sea turtles? Are they mammals? No. Okay. I didn't. Think reptiles. But but, you know, what I'm getting at is, is we've we've changed a lot of public consciousness about things like whales and dolphins. But when it comes to maybe something like krill, I mean, do we have to figure out a way to extend that desire to protect to beyond things like whales and dolphins? You know what I mean? Say the question again for me. Sorry. Well, just, you know, it is it easier to convince people that dolphins and whales are protected, are necessary to protect than it is something like krill or, you know, tiny fish that don't, that aren't as fuzzy and warm like dolphins and whales are. Yeah. It can be harder to convince people to be worried about krill, but I think it's up to us as the people who understand the ecology of the ocean, to make it clear that to protect whales and penguins and seals and things that perhaps people are more motivated by, we do need to protect their food. And so krill is one of the greatest examples of that. Same with fish. And obviously for something like fish, if it's in a place where people eat fish as well, there's a different side to it, making sure that we sustain that food source, which, you know, people, communities all around the world rely on seafood as food, as protein, and also as their livelihood. So it's not my work is not just about the the big things, although sometimes they are easier to to motivate people around. But our ocean as a system really needs, needs our help. And that's partly why I wanted to write the book, to kind of try my best to explain the wonder of marine ecology in a way that might be interesting for people who aren't quite as excited about ecology as I am. When it comes to the work that you've done. Explain what the motion for the ocean Local government Ocean Recovery declaration is and how it works. So, we have I am a co-founder of something called the motion for the Ocean Local Government Ocean Recovery Declaration. And it's essentially a declaration that a local government can make, which is a blueprint of how they can help the ocean within their kind of current powers and responsibilities. And so it's been passed now by 40 local governments here in the UK. They together represent 5 million residents, and they're doing incredible things for our ocean. Some of them are far inland, which shows that it doesn't matter where you live. We all still have a responsibility to care for the ocean. And in fact, a lot of the actions we take inland could have even more impact than the actions we take at the end of the line at the coast. And so far it's just in the UK. But I'm very open to expanding it elsewhere into different contexts because it really has had an incredible effect of motivating not just local politicians and local government, but local communities to understand what they can do to help our ocean. And I think that's probably the theme of all my work, is I'm not going to tell you what you shouldn't do, but I can work with you to find what you can do. And in that same vein, one of the things you write about is how, you know, don't assume that a policymaker or a politician is not a potential ally, because if you talk to people, you never know who might become one, right? Absolutely. I think this was me challenging my own probably naive misconception. So when I first started my career, I felt led, perhaps to believe that I had to shout to get the attention of decision makers and I had to convince people to care. And actually, it hasn't always been the case. I've worked with politicians from across the political spectrum here in the UK, who are motivated to want to take action for our ocean and for our coastal communities. And it's, you know, honestly been one of the greatest joys of my career to be proven wrong in my assumptions. And yeah, it continues to this day to surprise and surprise me and bring me a lot of a lot of hope. Let's let's give some some action items for listeners. You wrap up with some descriptions of what people can do. There's some different steps. I want to go through them. Become a citizen marine scientist. Explain what you mean by that. I mean our listeners will know in principle what citizen scientists means, but explain it in case they don't. So by citizen science, I mean there are projects often organized by scientists or universities that anybody, anywhere can get involved with. So there will be one somewhere in your local area regardless of where you live. Some of them you can do online. Even so, you only have to have access to a computer. And let me tell you, they are so useful to us as scientists. You know, you help us collect and process our data. You are our our eyes and our ears. And honestly, all the feedback we get from citizen science projects is that people really enjoy it, have a lot of fun, and make good friends who are also interested in science. So yes, that one is definitely one of the more fun and hopefully accessible ones for people. Help get funding for local conservation organizations, because one of the themes in your book is, you know, areas will be designated as protected, but no work will be done. So and there's very little funding to do that kind of work. So explain, you know, your persp So unfortunately, ocean conservation is chronically underfunded. And so I don't want to come across that you can pay your way out of your responsibility towards the ocean. But if you are in a position to be able to have some money you'd like to donate or to fundraise for conservation, then please think about your local marine conservation organizations. Within that. Often they do incredible work on a very small budget. And in these difficult times, unfortunately, our budgets are getting smaller and smaller. So if that's something you're able to do, please rest assured it really does help. What do you mean by care for your ocean in your daily life? So that's how we think about our daily actions affecting the ocean. So the laundry machine example we used earlier around microfiber as it might be, things like when you are, if you're near to a waterway or the ocean, thinking about what you put down your drains or whether you're using, for example, fertilizer on your lawn, because that can contribute to algal blooms in the ocean. It's things like, you know, how do we reduce our use of plastic? How do we make sure we recycle where we can? How can we influence those things so that the system itself changes so that there is better alternatives? And so we try to again look at the things that we can do and recognize that what each can do will be different for all of us. But remembering our workplace as well as our home life, as a place where we can have an influence. And the fourth thing you list is being a marine citizen, which I think is sort of an extension of the citizen marine scientist thing. Or explain what you mean by being a marine citizen. So by this one, I mean being a voice for the ocean, whether that's through your policy making process. So engaging with local politicians, being part of campaigns or petitions and perhaps even protests, but within that, recognizing that for some people the idea of going to a protest will be terrifying. For some people, it will be really exciting. So finding the bit within that way you feel you can be most effective in using your voice. And that actually that's a great way to find your community as well in this work. We can't go too far into this, but you write toward the end about how you got into a burnout situation. So you write a lot about being mindful of taking care of yourself so you can keep going. Can you just reflect on that a little bit? So this work can take its toll. Often we're trying to make big changes. And with like I said, little money. And sometimes you feel like you're really going against the tide. So I just encourage people to make sure that you find other people who care. So it's not all on your shoulders that you can make much more impact by working together, and that we should take her to make time to take care of ourselves within this work, because, you know, there will always be more to be done, but it's better that you can keep going. Don't burn out. And actually, that's the way we can have the greatest impact. So take care of yourself and each other. And lastly, I emailed you, I would like, if you don't mind, for us to end the show with you reading the passage in the book that you titled. So let us imagine. I just think we can reflect on that. Sure. Happy to. So. Let us imagine. We've tackled unsustainable fishing, cut greenhouse gas emissions in line with scientific advice, stopped pollution at source, and achieved the substantial rebuilding of marine life within a human generation that world experts on marine conservation say is possible. What might our ocean look like then? I'd like you to close your eyes and think of your favorite part of the ocean. Now try to imagine what it could look like if it was clean, healthy, and thriving. If I was to do this, I would look out over the sea here in Cornwall, and I would try to imagine what this seascape might look like in 30 years time. I don my dive gear and walk down the beach. It's clear of litter and full of families enjoying the afternoon sun. I wade out into the shallows and put on my dive fins, surrounded by people of all ages, swimming without fear of getting sick from sewage pollution. As soon as my ears drop below the surface, a cacophony of clicks, crackles and croaks brings a grin to my face. This is the new Ocean Symphony in all its glory, different to the one I heard when I learned to dive. But a sonic sign of seas full of life. I come to hover a few feet over a seagrass meadow, dappled with sunlight and swaying slowly as waves pass overhead. It is lush and dense thanks to the introduction of no anchor zones, the planting of seagrass and the recovery that followed the management of nutrient pollution. Beyond the seagrass, I spot a carpet of moors, a precious male bed over 4000 years old and on the way to recovery, thanks again to the reduction of nutrient pollution. Merle is slower to recover than seagrass, but the signs are good. It's alive with tiny critters, including young scallops. It's a nursery area for this commercially important shellfish, allowing them to grow big and breed free from the scallop dredging. Long since banned inside this marine protected area. These days, divers hand collect mature scallops above a certain size to be served in one of our towns restaurants. A sign on the door declares that it only serves local, sustainably caught seafood, and it is fully booked every night. Locals and tourists care where their seafood comes from, and nowadays it's almost unheard of to find unsustainable seafood on our menus or supermarket shelves. In fact, it's unheard of defined unsustainable products of any types on ourselves, from contents to packaging. It's all designed with planet and people in mind. Looking around the beach after our dive, people look relaxed and healthy, which is echoed in the drop in health care visits. Since we cleaned up our seas and made sure people could enjoy the proven health benefits of spending time in, on, or next to our ocean, a whale blow on the horizon reminds me that our bay is differently wonderful than when I first moved here, but it's only so because we took decisive action for our ocean in the late 2020s. Emily Cunningham is author of the new book, Our Ocean to Save How to Protect Our Greatest Climate Ally. Thank you so much for your time, Emily, and best of luck with this book as it makes its way out into the world. Thanks so much for having me. Our ocean to save us out! Now, wherever you find books, you can find a link to her website on our website. Our show today was produced by yours truly with audio and video production by Matt Krause. For now, thanks for listening I’m Mike Kiniry This is WGCU-FM Fort Myers, 90.1 WMKO Marco Island 91.7 FM. We are NPR for Southwest Florida.