Blue carbon ambassadors: BIPOC youth leaders tackle climate crisis through ocean innovations.
EarthEcho International has launched an innovative program to empower young BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) individuals to become leaders in ocean restoration and climate change mitigation. The Blue Carbon Ambassador program, announced on July 24, 2024, brings together 16 youth aged 17-20 from frontline coastal communities across North America to explore the critical role of blue carbon ecosystems in combating the climate crisis.
The blue carbon ambassador program, made possible through support from La Mer Blue Heart Oceans Fund and The Estée Lauder Companies Travel Retail division, focuses on blue carbon ecosystems – including kelp, seagrass, mangroves, and salt marshes – which play a crucial role in carbon sequestration. These ecosystems are particularly effective at capturing and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, known as carbon sequestration. Mangroves, for instance, can sequester up to four times more carbon than tropical rainforests per unit area. Despite covering only 0.1% of the ocean floor, Seagrass meadows are responsible for 11% of the organic carbon buried in oceans.
Blue Carbon Ambassador participants will also delve into the field of regenerative ocean aquaculture, an innovative approach to ocean “farming” that aims to restore coastal habitats while generating both economic and ecological benefits. This emerging field represents a significant shift from traditional aquaculture practices, focusing on species that don’t require feeds or fertilizers and can improve water quality while providing habitat for other marine life.
Philippe Cousteau, founder of EarthEcho International and grandson of renowned oceanographer Jacques Cousteau, emphasized the Blue Carbon Ambassador program’s commitment to addressing inequalities in access to ocean-related careers and climate solutions. “EarthEcho understands that access and connection to the ocean, and the opportunity to pursue careers that contribute to climate solutions, is a privilege that all do not enjoy equally,” Cousteau stated. He praised the selected ambassadors for their passion, vision, and unique perspectives in advancing ocean-based solutions to the climate crisis.
The Blue Carbon Ambassador program offers participants a comprehensive learning experience through fieldwork, expert-led workshops, and peer-to-peer exchanges. This hands-on approach is designed to provide valuable professional experience and insight into the burgeoning field of blue carbon ecosystem management and restoration.
The career prospects in ocean restoration and blue carbon management are rapidly expanding. According to recent industry reports, the blue economy is expected to grow at twice the rate of the mainstream economy by 2030, with the global market for coastal and marine ecosystem services estimated to reach $3 trillion annually by 2030. Specific roles in this field include marine biologists, environmental engineers, policy advisors, carbon credit developers, and sustainable aquaculture managers. The Blue Carbon Ambassador program positions its participants at the forefront of this growing job market, equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed to pursue these emerging career paths.
A key component of the program is developing and implementing community projects. Between August 2024 and March 2025, each ambassador will create and execute a project supporting blue carbon ecosystems in their local area. This practical application of knowledge aims to create tangible impacts in coastal communities while fostering the next generation of environmental leaders.
The 2024 cohort of Blue Carbon Ambassadors represents a diverse group of young individuals from various locations across North America, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Guam. The ambassadors are:
- Amaya Morene (Jacksonville, FL, USA)
- Amber Josfin Pineda (Dededu, GU, USA)
- Ana Baquedano (Houston, TX, USA)
- Arjun Birdi (Port Moody, BC, Canada)
- Clara Park (Morganville, NJ, USA)
- Eduardo Rosado Caquías (Ponce, PR, USA)
- Elisa Lilou Francisca De Oliveira Riondet (Laguna Hills, CA, USA)
- Gabriel Caraballo Rodriguez (Ponce, PR, USA)
- Jenny Zing (Walnut, CA, USA)
- María José (MJ) Jiménez Orozco (Mexico City, Mexico)
- Naimul Islam (Evanston, IL, USA)
- Nikitha Sivaram (Richmond, BC, Canada)
- Nya Washington (Colonial Heights, VA, USA)
- Sanjana Bhatta (Hillsborough, NJ, USA)
- Tariq Kupferberg (New York, NY, USA)
- Yanfei Jia (Puyallup, WA, USA)
The diverse backgrounds and locations of these ambassadors ensure a wide range of perspectives and experiences, enriching the program and its potential impact. By focusing on youth from frontline coastal communities, the program aims to empower those most directly affected by climate change and sea-level rise.
The Blue Carbon Ambassador program represents a significant step in addressing both environmental and social challenges. By providing paid opportunities for BIPOC youth to engage in cutting-edge environmental work, EarthEcho International is not only fostering innovation in climate solutions but also promoting diversity and inclusion in the environmental sector.
As the world grapples with the escalating impacts of climate change, programs like this play a crucial role in developing the next generation of environmental leaders. The focus on blue carbon ecosystems highlights an often-overlooked aspect of climate mitigation – the potential of coastal and marine environments to sequester significant amounts of carbon dioxide. Recent studies have shown that coastal ecosystems can sequester carbon at rates up to 50 times higher than terrestrial forests, making their protection and restoration critical in the fight against climate change.
The program’s emphasis on regenerative ocean aquaculture also points to a growing recognition of the need for sustainable practices in ocean resource management. This approach could provide a model for balancing economic development with environmental conservation in coastal areas. Regenerative ocean farming practices, such as kelp and shellfish cultivation, not only sequester carbon but also improve water quality, create habitats for marine life, and provide sustainable food sources.
As these young ambassadors embark on their journey of learning and community engagement, their work promises to contribute valuable insights and actions towards addressing one of the most pressing issues of our time. The outcomes of their community projects, set to be implemented over the coming months, will be watched with keen interest by environmental professionals and community leaders alike.
The Blue Carbon Ambassador program is not just about environmental conservation; it’s about creating a new generation of leaders equipped to tackle the complex challenges of climate change. By providing hands-on experience in blue carbon ecosystem management and regenerative aquaculture, the program is preparing these young individuals for careers at the forefront of environmental science and policy. As the demand for expertise in these areas grows, the skills and knowledge gained through this program will be invaluable in shaping the future of coastal management and climate mitigation strategies.
For those interested in following the progress of the Blue Carbon Ambassadors or learning more about the program, information is available on the EarthEcho International website at https://www.earthecho.org/blue-carbon-ambassadors.
