Spout Out To: Australian Scientific Brothers and Sisters

Spout Out To: 
Australian Scientific 
Brothers and Sisters


I am horrified to realize that our Scientific Brothers and Sisters in Australia are receiving death threats and harassment over their climate change research.  Dr. Michael Brown from Monash University recently wrote a great article on this topic.

When Scientists Take The The Street

 It's Time To Listen

http://theconversation.edu.au/when-scientists-take-to-the-streets-its-time-to-listen-up-1912

What is at the heart of this is not one individual topic but the lack of connection people feel with the scientific community.  


Recently Science and Technology of Australia started a campaign called "Respect The Science". I really applaud these efforts.

Dr Christina Stam, NASA/JPL  (BOS Team Member)

In my own work I have come across a strong disconnect of what scientists are communicating and what people are understanding.  


Understanding Good Science Leads To Good Policy


In scientist school, we are not taught or encouraged to be great communicators.  We need help to get good scientifically validated information out to people. 


We as a global community can accomplish this by supporting scientists who are good communicators, providing new tools with multi-media experts, or pairing scientists with communication experts. 

Dr's Greg Ferry, Andrea Neal and Heather Coleman
Examine the contents of a manta trawl
(Lone Ranger Marine Debris Mission - January 2011)

In any event, what is always true is that all a scientist really has is "Scientific Integrity". Scientific integrity is what makes scientists a great tool for the formation of policy and education that should be utilized more.  


For scientists to be a good tool, they need to be able to remain impartial, meaning "Just the facts and only the facts".  We should not be swayed by one side or another on a topic of debate because of feelings or monetary concerns.  This is why asking people to support true scientific efforts is so important.  Today scientists are forced to undertake creative funding efforts.  Scientists are scraping by. Lack of funding for true scientific efforts when we need it the most is a disaster waiting to happen. 


Lack of Funding For Science Is Bad For Us, Bad for Policy, and Bad for The Environment.

Dr. Heather ColemanMonitoring Surface Trawl
(Lone Ranger Marine Debris Mission - January 2011)

Professor Ian Chubb, Chief Scientist for Australia, says it best in his piece 

Important for our nation to respect the science
"What is important to remember is that scientists have conducted extensive research into their chosen field of study, and do not lay claims without evidence to support their findings."


"Sometimes scientific research can lead to discoveries and findings that people do not want to hear – but that does not mean that they shouldn’t hear them.  Nor that governments should not respond to them."

I think the message is pretty clear. 

 We need solid, scientific facts communicated in a way that is understood by all 

to create impactful policy and decision making processes.   

Um and Yang A Way To A Healthy Planet

Um and Yang

A Way To A Healthy Planet

I wanted to take some time today on Earth Day to reflect on the two worlds I live in, the Western and the Eastern.  I have been a marital art practitioner for almost half of my life. While most people think of martial arts as an aggressive sport, I think of it as a peaceful philosophy, a way of life. I often find the balance I need for work as an environmental advocate through my martial art training.  

I have had many teachers through the years, and all of them have stressed to me the importance of Um and Yang, or what many refer to as Yin and Yang.  Um and Yang is balance, which stands for harmony. I am not sure we take enough time in our busy lives to think about this word or meditate on the meaning of Harmony. I see Um and Yang "Harmony" in action every day.  

Today, Master Jang set us through the paces of practicing Um and Yang (we do this every day in class in some form).  However, today I felt a unique connection.  His teachings directly correlated to how I feel as a citizen of planet earth trying to create positive environmental change.  We talked about Um and Yang, not as the Harmony in oneself, but in a balance with someone else.  This could be a co-worker, friend, archenemy or even the earth.  If we move and exchange Um and Yang as a team, with a constant motion of give and take, then we are in harmony. 

 If, however, we both have Um energy and put up our defenses, then there is no movement.  If we both decide to move forward with Yang energy at the same time, then there is clash and conflict. While these are simple lessons that were taught to explain motion between two partners with a very specific exercise, I think this message of harmony can go into all of our daily lessons about the environment.  For the larger picture of the earth, we should learn that we need to give and take in equal proportions to each other.  This natural balance will lead to a harmonious, sustainable relationship.

To learn more about Master Jang 
Go To:  http://www.jangskarate.com/

Spout Out To: Audrey Peterman

Spout: Special Thanks To Kalyn Knoe
For Coming Up With Such A Cool Name! 

Spout Out To

Audrey Peterman: 

President 

Earthwise Productions, Inc.

This first spout out of many is to my friend
Audrey Peterman. Audrey has such a beautiful spirit.  Her beauty shines from inside and out!  Audrey has an endless passion for the world and everyone in it! She inspires me with her love and skillful use of the pen. The best description of Audrey is that she is a beacon of light that attracts everyone to it, and helps unite people to bring brightness to the world. I hope that by sharing her amazing light with you, it will inspire you too.

Audrey Peterman and Dr. Andrea Neal
Aspen Institute Environmental Forum 2010

From Audrey To Blue Ocean Sciences: 

"Your mission reminds me of the truth of Margaret Mead's celebrated statement,  

 "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

 I believe the scientific expertise that this team brings to the table, the curiosity, the courage to take personal risks to determine this aspect of the state of our oceans, will help to galvanize public interest and make the issue personal. When it becomes personal and people see how it relates to their lives, the lives of their descendants, and know what actions they can take to change things, then we can expect to see societal change.

Thank you soo much for all that each of you IS, and ACCOMPLISHES! God bless you on your voyage!"

love,

Audrey Peterman

Audrey Peterman, President

Earthwise Productions, Inc.

Website:  Legacy on the Land

Channel:  MSNBC Interview

Transatlantic Investigation of Marine Pollutants- 1, Canary Islands

This is verbatim from: http://www.schmidtocean.org/LR4-2011.pdf

Transatlantic Investigation of Marine Pollutants

Lone Ranger Marine Pollutants Atlantic Expedition to harness innovative solutions

for ocean contaminants and study microbe biofuel candidates.

M/Y Lone Ranger
Image from
http://www.schmidtocean.org/ships.html

The Schmidt Ocean Institute’s research vessel Lone Ranger left Las Palmas, Canary Islands on January 11, 2011, to cross the Atlantic for its maiden scientific cruise, the 2011 Lone Ranger Marine Pollutants Atlantic Expedition. An onboard coalition of scientists—a collaboration amongst the Schmidt Ocean Institute, Blue Ocean Sciences (BOS), and many others—will explore approximately 3,000 nautical miles of the North Atlantic Gyre through the Sargasso Sea, and use innovative technologies to study ocean pollutants. Researchers will be targeting microbes that may hold the promise for new energy sources, while using advanced methods for understanding the composition, structure, and biochemical dynamics of pollutants in the Atlantic. The expedition will conclude in Bermuda on January 29, 2011.

Micro-Plastics from Project Kaisei 2009 to
Subtropical Convergence Zone of The North Pacific Gyre

“We will explore ocean bacteria that eat plastic, as these microbes have the potential to be developed into a natural gas for a myriad of purposes, such as cooking and heating, and potentially replace oil products currently used for cars, trucks, and other forms of transportation,” states James Ferry, Ph.D., a founding member and current director of the Center for Microbial Structural Biology at Pennsylvania State University.

“Ocean bacteria differ from those on land, and we have discovered that they are eating a wide variety of the plastics throughout the ocean environment. Once these bacteria are identified, we will capture them to ascertain what other waste products hold the promise of a new energy source to assist in reducing our dependence on foreign oil,” continues Ferry.

Principal Investigators Erika Raymond of the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI), Kirsten Grorud-Colvert of Oregon State University (OSU), and BOS Founder

Andrea Neal lead the research team, with other members from NASA, J. Craig Venter Institute, Penn State , Helmholtz Zentrum Laboratory, the Pacific Marine Analysis and Research Association (PaCMARA), McGill University, and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.

The Lone Ranger, a 255-foot ship donated to the Schmidt Ocean Institute by Mr. Peter Lewis, is dedicated as a platform for increasing knowledge and understanding of the world’s ocean through scientific and engineering research. Originally an ocean tug, the Lone Ranger was redesigned into a yacht then transformed into a research vessel for scientific investigation at Mr. Lewis’ request. Marine debris pollution is prevalent throughout the world’s oceans and is an issue of critical impact to their biological and geochemical cycles.

Project Kaisei 2009 Fish Caught in Derelict Net
1400 Nautical Miles From The California Coast

“Plastic debris can attract persistent organic pollutants, serving as a potential vector for toxin accumulation into organisms which then propagate through the food chain. To better understand these pollutants, fish will be collected from surface water tows and then imaged and preserved for molecular and toxicological analysis in the lab”, according to Dr. Erika Raymond of MBARI, also a Schmidt Ocean Postdoctoral Fellow and Chief Scientist heading research activities on the 2011 Lone Ranger Marine Pollutants Atlantic Expedition.

“Unfortunately much of ocean pollution is not well understood, and thus requires an innovative and comprehensive approach to mitigation”, states Dr.Raymond who will employ her multidisciplinary background in biological oceanography, marine technology, and extensive at sea experience, to guide the team of international researchers onboard.

Dr. Andrea Neal and Dr. Michael Gonsior
Project Kaisei 2009

“Traditionally, biological sciences, marine biology and oceanography have been separate fields. However, today’s science is more technical and environmental challenges are more complex, which is why it is critical to have a strong team of diverse experts that include extreme environment microbial scientists, biofuel specialists, chemical analysis experts and people who understand microbe polymer interaction” according to Dr. Andrea Neal.

An important goal of this mission is to have media experts on board who have the scientific understanding to communicate the pioneering research and discoveries effectively to the population at large. “Through the Blue Ocean Sciences Media Education program’s lively webisodes, blogs, and online questions-and answer sessions, the public will be given a window into the world of marine debris research,” states Neal. “People will watch the team expand traditional sampling with new monitoring and assessment equipment in an outreach opportunity that seeks to ignite excitement about ocean exploration, human ingenuity and creativity.” The Blue Ocean Sciences media collaborators include Blue Ocean Productions, Cage Free Productions, and Highliner Studios.

John McIntyre, Project Kaisei 2009
http://www.plasticoceans.net

Schmidt Ocean, a 501(c)3 nonprofit institute, collected proposals from select investigators and sought advice from the Marine Science and Technology Foundation Science Advisory Board to compose the scientific program for this first expedition of its research fleet. Schmidt Ocean will provide Lone Ranger with continuous Internet access capabilities for the scientists to facilitate the development of interactive web content and help the world follow the cruise day by day.

# # #

For interviews, photos and more information:

At Schmidt Ocean Institute – Nora Deans, Cell:. 907-748-3328 outreach@schmidtocean.org

At BOS - Janice Hall, Tel. 609-683-1134 Cell: 303-641-6266 janice@blueoceansciences.org

To follow the expedition, visit http://www.blueoceansciences.org/lonerangermission.html or

www.schmidtocean.org

ABOUT

Schmidt Ocean Institute is a non-profit 501(c)3 founded in 2009 to advance ocean exploration, discovery and knowledge, and be a catalyst for sharing the information about the oceans through scientific and engineering research and the development of interdisciplinary scientific voyages using the Institute’s own research fleet. www.schmidtocean.org

Blue Ocean Sciences (BOS) is a non-profit 501(c)3. The BOS mission is to address the needs of the global community for accurate research on oceanic health. BOS employs the latest technologies; shares validated scientific information, creates effective educational materials, and develops accurate media communication on the health of the world’s ocean. BOS facilitates utilization of human ingenuity, intellect, and technology to develop a thorough understanding and implement plans of action to mitigate pressing environmental issues. www.blueoceansciences.org

KENJI WILLIAMS BRINGS BELLA GAIA TO SANTA BARBAR

KENJI WILLIAMS BRINGS BELLA GAIA TO

SANTA BARBARA

Bella Gaia: A Poetic Version of Earth from Space

Lobero Theater, Santa Barbara, CA (November 16th , 2010) Blue Ocean Sciences, Surfers Without Borders, Ocean Futures Society, Santa Barbara High-school’s Don’s Net Café, Christie Communications, Green 2 Gold, and LoaTree are hosting Kenji Williams BELLA GAIA in Santa Barbara to raise environmental and social awareness through art and music. Classically trained violinist Kenji Williams, BELLA GAIA (Beautiful Earth) is a ‘Living Atlas’ multimedia journey of our world, and expresses the deeply moving beauty of planet Earth as seen through the eyes of astronauts by successfully simulating space flight. BELLA GAIA showcases the amazing art and cultural heritage of civilizations inhabiting planet Earth through live musical performance on stage and projected visuals on screen. Tickets will be sold through the Lobero box office and will range between $20 and $35 Dollars. GOLD and VIP passes for special events will also be available through the Lobero office for $50 and $200.

“BELLA GAIA is Just Beautiful. It really felt like I was back in space.”

-Piers Sellers, NASA Astronaut, Spacewalker (STS-112 Atlantis, STS 121 Discovery)

Proceeds from the BELLA GAIA events will go to the Blue Ocean Sciences "Waves" program to connect young people to their local environment, each other, and the future. It is the next generation, who through management of their land-based resources will maintain a healthy environment. In January 2011, BOS’s WAVES program will introduce the “Marine Debris Dream Team” as they cross the Atlantic on The Schmidt Ocean Institute (SOI) M/Y Lone Ranger. The Marine Debris Dream Team whose partners include: NASA, The Monteray Bay Aquarium Research Institute, Craig Venter Institute, Helmholtz Zentrum Laboratory, PACMARA and McGill University, will introduce complex scientific subjects to the world through fun easy-to-understand webisodes, blogs, and online question and answer sessions. Blue Ocean Sciences Media Education (BOS ME) will follow this media savy team of researchers as they study the North Atlantic Gyre and the Sargasso Sea, exploring approximately 3,000 nautical miles of critical ocean environments.

About Blue Ocean Sciences (BOS)

Blue Ocean Sciences (BOS) is a non-profit supported by the 501(c)3 Green 2 Gold.

BOS’s mission is to address the needs of the global community for accurate research on oceanic

health utilizing the latest technology, sharing of validated scientific information, creation of

effective educational materials, and developing accurate media communication on the status and

health of our oceans. BOS will facilitate utilization of human ingenuity, intellect, and technology

to develop a thorough understanding of pressing environmental issues and to implement plans of

action to benefit the environment of the world’s oceans. www.blueoceansciences.org

About Surfer Without Borders (SWoB)

Surfers Without Boarders (SWoB) is a humanitarian aid organization dedicated to creating

Projects that Teach Environmental Awareness, Reduce Ocean Pollution, Promote Sustainable

Development, and Foster Good Relations between Surfers and Coastal Communities around the

world. www.surferswithoutborders.org

About Dons Net Café (DNC)

Don’s Net Café is a student-run social entrepreneurial business located on the historic campus of

Santa Barbara High School offered through the Regional Occupational Program. The DNC

represents a 17-year commitment to inspire students to create positive social and environmental

change through ethical commerce and service learning. We represent these activities through our

participation in Virtual Enterprise. All profits benefit employees and associated projects 100%.

www.donsnetcafe.com

About LoaTree:

LoaTree is an eco-lifestyle company. LoaTree is dedicated to the advancement of eco-inspired

lifestyles and practices for people, organizations and business. We offer direct services for

businesses and organizations working to make a better world including event production and

marketing, social media, community building and LoaTree TV. http://www.loatree.com

About Green 2 Gold (G2G)

Green 2 Gold is a project of EEG, an international foundation advancing the green economy,

sustainability, technology and environmental enterprising, innovation, and creating solutions for

responsible economic development and pollution prevention. http://www.green2gold.org

About Christie Communications

Christie Communications is a full-service public relations, marketing, and advertising agency

dedicated to helping ethical businesses, entrepreneurs, and socially-conscious organizations

broaden their impact through effective communication services. Christie Communications goes

beyond branding and other marketing buzzwords. It is a company based in philosophy, driven by

passion, and known by its results. The Christie CommUnity Foundation creates a "ripple effect"

of global betterment through creating and promoting innovative, results-oriented initiatives for

the betterment of the world. http://www.christiecomm.com

Santa Barbara Ocean Lovers Host Famous OutRigger Canoe Paddler MARGO PELLEGRINO

News Release Contact: Andrea Neal

626.808.8737

andrea@blueoceansciences.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 31^st, 2010

Santa Barbara Ocean Lovers Host Famous OutRigger Canoe Paddler

Margo Pellegrino

Blue Ocean Sciences, Surfers Without Borders, Ocean Futures Society, Santa Barbara High-school’s Don’s Net Café, Life Cube Inc., Surfrider Foundation, Save The Mermaids, and The Santa Barbara Outrigger Canoe Club are working together to hosts famous ocean Kayaker Margo Pellegrino in her Blue Frontier Campaign Project to paddle from Seattle to San Diego!

Santa Barbara, CA (September 1^st, 2010) Margo Hits Goleta! Last night at approximately 6:45 pm Famous Outrigger Canoe Paddler Margo Pellegrino paddled into Goleta. Due to harsh paddling conditions and fog as thick as pea soup she came into Goleta last night instead of Santa Barbara. With the original plan to hit Santa Barbara we had to finagle a bit and were saved by the wonderful generosity of PISCO’s Peter Carlson and UCSB Collections Manager Christoph Pierre and amazing flexibility of her support team leader June Barnard. Last night Margo joined members from Blue Ocean Sciences, Channel Keeper, Surfers Without Borders, the Santa Barbara Outrigger Canoe Club, and Santa Barbara Surfrider , at The Brewhouse, and then she was hosted by Santa Barbara Outrigger Canoe Club’s Holly Sherwin . All of these groups will be joining Margo on Saturday September 4^th for the Blue Coast Family Beach Day at Goleta Beach from 1-4 pm.

Margo Pellegrino is paddling from Seattle to San Diego This Summer! Originally she was inspired by “50 Ways to Save the Ocean”, by David Helvarg, who was hosted by The City of Santa Barbara earlier this year. In Margo’s past adventures she has paddled from Miami to Maine and, more recently, on the Gulf Coast from Miami to New Orleans. Through her high public visibility paddling expeditions she seeks to: advance federal ocean legislation, educate the public about ocean conservation, motivate and inspire people to get out and to take action by linking up with “seaweed” citizen-activists, promote the establishment of marine protected areas, and support scientific research around ocean conservation.

For More Information on Margo’s Project: Please see www.miami2maine.com

For Santa Barbara Event Information: www.blueoceansciences.org/sbevents.html

Events:

Saturday September 4^th, 2010:

1-4pm Goleta Beach, Goleta California: Blue Coast Family Beach Day!

Join Margo, Local Illustrator of “The Pout Pout Fish” Dan Hanna,

and Santa Barbara Ocean Lovers Learn, Play, and Protect The Ocean!

FAMILY FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES Children's Book Readings, Beach Clean Up, Beach Bingo and More! www.blueoceansciences.org/sbevents.html

About Blue Ocean Sciences (BOS): Blue Ocean Sciences (BOS) is a non-profit 501(c)3. BOS’s mission is to address the needs of the global community for accurate research on oceanic health utilizing the latest technology, sharing of validated scientific information, creation of effective educational materials, and developing accurate media communication on the status and health of our oceans. BOS will facilitate utilization of human ingenuity, intellect, and technology to develop a thorough understanding of pressing environmental issues and to implement plans of action to benefit the environment of the world’s oceans. www.blueoceansciences.org

About Surfer Without Borders (SWoB): Surfers Without Boarders (SWoB) is a humanitarian aid organization dedicated to creating Projects that Teach Environmental Awareness, Reduce Ocean Pollution, Promote Sustainable Development, and Foster Good Relations between Surfers and Coastal Communities around the world. www.surferswithoutborders.org

About Dons Net Café (DNC):Don’s Net Café is a student-run social entrepreneurial business located on the historic campus of Santa Barbara High School offered through the Regional Occupational Program. The DNC represents a 17-year commitment to inspire students to create positive social and environmental change through ethical commerce and service learning. We represent these activities through our participation in Virtual Enterprise. All profits benefit employees and associated projects 100%. http://www.sbdnc.net/

About Life Cube Inc.: Life Cube Inc. All-in-one solution for every emergency need. Providing self-contained inflatable airframe shelters in an innovative, portable, cube suitable for modern disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. http://www.lifecubeinc.com/

About Santa Barbara Outrigger Canoe Club (SBOCC): The purpose and goals of Santa Barbara Outrigger Canoe Club is to foster national and international outrigger canoe competition and to generate public interest and support for these activities. SBOCC is dedicate to providing its members with opportunities to race, competing at all levels of competition; from local regional races to world championships in junior, open, master and senior masters divisions. http://www.sbocc.org/

About Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ocean Futures Society (OFS): Ocean Futures Society (OFS) is a non-profit 501(c) (3) organization. With the motto, “Protect the ocean and you protect yourself.” The mission of OFS is to explore our global ocean, inspiring and educating people throughout the world to act responsibly for its protection, documenting the critical connection between humanity and nature, and celebrating the ocean's vital importance to the survival of all life on our planet. OFS is based in Santa Barbara, California, with offices in Paris, France Lucca, Italy, and São Paulo, Brazil. For more information, visit Jean-Michel Cousteau's Ocean Futures Society at www.oceanfutures.org.