Dr. Jennifer Smith and entrepreneur Brant Chlebowski discuss their collaborative applied aquaculture research on commercially valuable seaweeds. This groundbreaking work sparked the formation of the California Seaweed Company and initiated new research in Smith's lab focusing on local seaweeds for food and feed applications.

This presentation was recorded on March 11, 2019, as part of the Jeffrey B. Graham Perspectives on Ocean Science Lecture Series. For more information, visit UCTV.

Chandra Bhushan is the Deputy Director General of the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), one of the world's leading environmental organizations. With over two decades of experience in climate change, pollution, and global treaties, he passionately promotes environmentally sound and socially inclusive development. He received the 2017 UN Environment Ozone Award for his leadership on the Kigali Amendment.

In his TEDxSIBMBengaluru 2019 talk, Dr. Bhushan critiqued the climate crisis, reframing it as an opportunity. He advocated for "Energy 5.0"—renewable, cleaner energy—to shape a sustainable future and position India as part of "Future 2.0." He is also a consulting editor and author of over 60 books. Learn more about TEDx events here.

In Kenya, strict laws against plastic bags have spurred innovation. Local fishermen in Lamu are building a giant sailing ship entirely from plastic waste. They plan to sail the Indian Ocean to raise awareness about marine plastic pollution, showcasing a remarkable solution to a global problem.

This initiative is featured in National Geographic's Short Film Showcase, which highlights exceptional videos affirming the power of science, exploration, and storytelling. Explore more solutions and the full story: A Boat Made From Plastic Waste | Short Film Showcase | National Geographic

Taking steps to reduce plastic consumption is crucial for environmental health.

If you're ready to #BreakFreeFromPlastic, a great starting point is to identify and eliminate seven common products from your daily routine. These simple changes can significantly reduce your plastic footprint right now.

The Green New Deal has prompted Republicans to articulate their preferred climate action. This shift means any serious presidential candidate will now need a concrete plan.

Former U.S. Representative Carlos Curbelo (R-FL) notes this development brings us closer to finding viable climate solutions.

Former U.S. Representative Carlos Curbelo (R-FL) states the bi-partisan Climate Solutions Caucus aimed to foster genuine dialogue between Republicans and Democrats.

He notes this initiative has led to significant progress, moving beyond the "non-discussion" that characterized previous years.

Former U.S. Representative Ryan Costello (R-PA) criticizes Donald Trump's climate change tweets, advocating for both political parties to find common ground. He asserts that moving closer to the middle is crucial for advancing sustainable climate solutions.

Costello outlines specific areas of focus for each party, aiming to foster bipartisan cooperation and accelerate progress on environmental issues.

New Yorker writer Eliza Griswold and UC Berkeley professor Arlie Hochschild traveled to "Trump country" to challenge stereotypes and understand environmental perspectives beyond the "red state, blue state" divide. Griswold explored fracking's impact in Pennsylvania, while Hochschild immersed herself in rural Louisiana. Both emerged with honest portraits of a misunderstood America.

The discussion also covered the U.S. fracking boom, which has made the country the world's largest oil producer. Bethany McLean's book, *Saudi America*, examines fracking's past, present, and future. However, this fossil fuel expansion conflicts with Paris climate accord goals, prompting questions about the future of energy. Learn more at climateone.org.

Sara Aminzadeh, Commissioner with the California Coastal Commission, stresses the need for constant vigilance in protecting oceans from pollution.

She emphasizes that public and environmental health protection must evolve to keep pace with the risks and potential harm posed by rapid industrial and technological innovations.

To effectively scale solutions for ocean health, they must be profitable. In today's capital-driven society, investing in ocean tech entrepreneurs is essential for driving truly scalable change.

This approach is advocated by Daniela Fernandez, Founder and CEO of the Sustainable Ocean Alliance.

Climate scientist Ken Caldeira warns that humanity is transforming our planet without fully understanding the long-term consequences of these actions.

He highlighted a recent lab experiment where grocery store mussels were dissolved, revealing pervasive microparticles of plastic, underscoring widespread environmental impact.

California Coastal Commissioner Sara Aminzadeh emphasizes that policies, private sector partnerships, and smart investments are crucial for reducing pollution and enhancing ocean health.

Ultimately, however, public action is paramount: electing officials who prioritize ocean and climate health.

Stand up for polar bears and protect the Arctic. New offshore drilling poses a dangerous threat to this vital ecosystem and its wildlife.

Add your name to say NO to these plans. Take action now: Protect Our Coast.

Baby sea turtles are dying due to ingested microplastics, highlighting an urgent environmental crisis.

You can help protect marine life. Take the pledge to #BreakFreeFromPlastic and make a difference: https://bit.ly/2UHjppR

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officers recently herded an endangered Florida panther to safety. Body-camera footage showed agents discovering the panther trapped between a highway and a wildlife refuge. They temporarily shut down the highway, then used their bodies, a truck, and calls to guide the cat through a fence opening into the refuge.

This rescue underscores the threats panthers face. In 2018, Florida reported 30 panther deaths, with 26 attributed to vehicle strikes.

Grammy-winning artist Esperanza Spalding and the Center for Biological Diversity presented a live performance and conversation dedicated to saving America's wolves. This event aimed to raise awareness and inspire action against threats to these vital species.

Originally streamed live on Facebook on April 22, 2019, the initiative urged participants to fight plans to strip wolves of their endangered species protection. Take action and ignite change at saveourwolves.org.

Smartfin is an innovative surfboard fin enabling scientists to collect vital ocean data with the help of surfers worldwide. This project is a collaboration between engineers from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and students from UC San Diego's Computer Science and Engineering department.

Traditionally, collecting near-shore data has been challenging due to waves damaging research instruments. Smartfin turns this obstacle into an advantage by enlisting the surfing community, transforming their activity into a valuable data-gathering effort.

This content is part of "The Computer Science Channel" (Show ID: 34350). Watch it on UCTV.

Climate change is now primarily a political challenge, not just a financial one. While decarbonizing our economy demands trillions in new investments, public opinion increasingly favors action. The responsibility now rests with elected leaders.

David Wallace-Wells, a national fellow at New America and deputy editor at New York magazine, explores these themes in his book, *[The Uninhabitable Earth: Life After Warming](https://goo.gl/ih35YX)*.

For more insights, visit [BigThink.com](https://bigthink.com/videos/climate-change-economy). Follow Big Think on [YouTube](http://goo.gl/CPTsV5), [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/BigThinkdotcom), and [Twitter](https://twitter.com/bigthink).

Plastic pollution overwhelms our oceans. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, if a country, would rank as the world's 19th largest.

Explore its immense scale and compare it to other regions using our interactive map: https://biodiv.us/GreatPacificGarbagePatch.

This Earth Day, our focus is on protecting species. Discover five marine species that urgently need your help today.

We urge you to take action. Add your name to tell your members of Congress to oppose any legislation that would weaken the Endangered Species Act.

Learn more and make your voice heard: https://bit.ly/2PmbZaB