ishakhemkablog

An Interview @COP28 with Dr Sylvia Earle

The renowned Sylvia Earle, often addressed as her deepness or sturgeon general, is a passionate marine biologist, oceanographer and explorer who has committed her life to researching and safeguarding the Earth’s oceans. She is widely acknowledged as a significant figure in marine science, having made path-breaking contributions to advancing our knowledge of marine ecosystems and biodiversity.

Born in Gibbstown, New Jersey, on August 30, 1935, Earle’s early fascination with the ocean led her to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree at Florida State University.

Subsequently, she earned her Master’s and Ph.D. degrees in phycology (the study of algae) from Duke University. Her research focused on marine algae and deep-sea ecosystems, laying the foundation for her impactful future work.

Earle is also an enthusiastic advocate for marine conservation and the protection of ocean ecosystems. She founded the Deep Ocean Exploration and Research (DOER) program, which focuses on exploring and understanding the deep sea.

In 2009, she launched Mission Blue, a global initiative aimed at creating marine protected areas known as “Hope Spots” to safeguard critical ocean habitats. According to the mission blue website, Hope Spots are special places that are scientifically identified as critical to the health of the ocean.

Currently 157 hope spots have been launched, ranging in location from the Great Barrier Reef to in the Lakshadweep islands.

Her efforts have helped raise awareness about the importance of ocean conservation and the need for sustainable practices.

In an interview I had the pleasure of conducting with Earle, when asking about her message to the youth, she explained that a phrase close to her is “no child left dry”. She explained that we “need to get out and get into the ocean any way we can” and furthermore “If you don’t know about lives of these creatures then you can’t care, it’s understandable to think that their just something to eat but once you see fish and once you know them then, you think of them more as you think of birds, of elephants, of other wild animals. These are kindred spirits. We need to respect them not just what they are but who they are, and you see their faces, get to know their personality.”

Sylvia’s connection and respect for these animals are clearly echoed in her restorative works to protect these “tiny organisms.” Amplifying, the oceans’ voice and courageously fighting climate changes impacts on the ocean and its inhabitants. Furthermore, she emphasizes that “Every time we breathe, we should think, we should thank the ocean because we exist because it exists” and “The ocean really makes earth habitable as it shapes climate and weather, shapes temperature, planetary chemistry and other drastic influences”.

I went on to ask Earle what the youth in particular should understand and she explained “The great thing about being a kid in the 21st century is access to the right knowledge which did not exist or could not exist until right about now. We have been exploring during my lifetime, learning things that nobody knew before. Before I came along or even during my early years, no one had seen earth from space”.

Earle also clarified that we are “armed with that insight that no one, even the smartest people before my lifetime had. In my lifetime we have come to look at forests, rainforests, deserts, because nature is incredibly special everywhere and we need to value it and care for it because it’s earth”.

As we ruminate over Sylvia Earle’s extraordinary journey and achievements, it is clear that her impact extends far beyond the realms of marine biology and conservation. Earle’s work embodies a profound message of interconnectedness and stewardship. Her advocacy for the oceans is a clarion call for humanity to recognize our intrinsic link to the natural world and our responsibility towards it.

In a time where the challenges facing our environment are daunting, Earle’s life and work stand as a testament to the power of passion, perseverance, and the belief that individual efforts can indeed lead to global change. Her vision of a world where “no child is left dry,” and her efforts to create hope spots across the globe, are not just strategies for conservation but are also invitations for each of us to engage with and protect our planet’s life-sustaining systems.

As Sylvia Earle herself has often stated, the protection of our oceans is not just about saving fish or coral reefs; it is about saving ourselves. The ocean’s health is a reflection of our own, and in safeguarding its future, we safeguard the future of all life on Earth. This is the enduring legacy of Sylvia Earle – a legacy that encourages us to look beyond the shorelines and dive into the depths of advocacy, research, and action for the sake of our blue planet.