Few of us realize just how critical ocean health is to humanity.
Anyone remember when Katie and John went on that once-in-a-lifetime whale-watching expedition with famed wildlife photographers Paul Nicklen and Cristina Mittermeier? As John noted in his essay on the experience, not many get the privilege of witnessing these miraculous conservation efforts firsthand, or even of learning directly from internationally renowned climate-change experts. That’s why we’re bringing those efforts — and experts — to you.
In the months to come, Nicklen and Mittermeier will be contributing thoughts, ideas, and jaw-dropping photography to Katie Couric Media. It’s all aimed at offering an up-close-and-personal look at their work with SeaLegacy, the ocean-conservation non-profit they co-founded with fellow wildlife photographer Andy Mann. (Keep an eye out for this series, called Ripple Effect.)
For now, here’s a primer on how SeaLegacy works, and what you can do to roll up your sleeves and get involved now.
How SeaLegacy works to protect our oceans for future generations
It’s no accident that both Nicklen and Mittermeier have such gorgeous, thoughtfully curated social media accounts — it’s by design. As seasoned ocean experts and environmental advocates, the two photographers are extremely aware of some essential truths about climate advocacy: People tend to care more about issues they can visualize — and feel more compelled when presented with a pathway to a better state for the planet.
The mission of SeaLegacy is, simply, to help people all over the world fall in love with — and want to protect — the ocean, the way Nicklen and Mittermeier have. Beyond that initial (and extremely crucial) step of fostering an intimate connection between individuals and the ocean, the goal is to amplify a network of change makers around the world, and catalyze hands-on diplomacy through hopeful, world-class visual storytelling.
You’d be forgiven for finding this conversation a little obvious: Most people do love the ocean, at least in a theoretical sense, right? But few realize just how critical ocean health is to humanity and planetary health. You might also be thinking that the ocean is so vast, such a major part of our planet, that it’s hard to begin to conceptualize how you could make any difference. But the team at SeaLegacy wants to empower those who care about the future of our seas, and make them realize that each one of us can make an impact.
Nicklen, Mittermeier, and Mann are here to help you make sense of it all — and also to break down the issue of ocean conservation into a number of tangible parts, so that it’s easier to understand the how of advocacy, in addition to the why. Here are seven mission-based pillars for the work SeaLegacy does:
Areas of impact for SeaLegacy
- Achieve ocean equity and justice for coastal communities
- Recast the ocean as a solution to climate change
- Rethink how we source food from the ocean
- Stem the flow of pollution to the ocean
- Restore degraded habitats
- Protect more species
- Protect more of the ocean
The SeaLegacy website offers even more context for each area: For example, the organization aims to protect more species by actively supporting international agreements like CITES, a multilateral treaty to fortify endangered plants and animals against the threats of international trade. And that’s only one of its aims for bettering our aquatic ecosystem.
How to help safeguard the ocean
Once you learn about the work SeaLegacy is doing to protect our ocean (and our planet), you’ll likely have a hard time not wanting to get involved. Of course, one of the major things you can do to support this mission is by donating — but that’s not the only way to pursue change.
First things first, the fun part: Follow Nicklen, Mittermeier, Mann, and SeaLegacy on social media. Your eyeballs won’t regret it: The photos they share on a near-daily basis are pretty mind-boggling. (You can also sign up for the SeaLegacy newsletter for more incredible information and visuals.) Lastly, if you work for a medium-sized or small retail business, you can check out The Good Ocean, a SeaLegacy initiative for businesses in the retail industry that supports climate-friendly business practices and education.
Oh, and of course, stay tuned to Wake-Up Call and this site — because you’ll be hearing more from the founders of this amazing initiative very soon.
