live blue™ Profiles

Sarah M. Winchester Photographer, Graphic Designer, Interior...

Thu, 14 Apr 2011 08:27:00 -0400

Sarah M. Winchester

Photographer, Graphic Designer, Interior Designer

I live blue™ because…
everything we do affects the health of our oceans. Even if you live in a landlocked town, your watershed eventually meets the sea. In turn the health of our oceans affect the health of our planet. Living blue and living green are interconnected, and for me there is really no other option. I want to be able to enjoy our planet and keep it healthy for future generations.

Why do you care about the environment?
As a photographer, nature lover and SCUBA diver, I see so much beauty in the world around me. As an artist, it is my muse. I am fascinated by the interconnectedness of of our actions and the environment, and want to make sure that beauty is conserved and survives.

What are some things you do in your life to protect the environment?
I try to recycle as much as I can. I consider it a success, when my recycling bin, is fuller than my garbage. I also eat sustainable seafood. There are only so many fish in the sea and some fishing practices are quite harmful to the health of our oceans. I choose to eat only seafood which is caught or farmed in a manner not harmful to the ocean or the population of fish. Monteray Bay Aquarium and Georgia Aquarium have some helpful guides. They even have an App you can download for your mobile device. [Here is the New England Aquarium’s sustainable seafood list.]

See Sarah’s plot of ocean here.

Visit Sarah’s website here.

Read Sarah’s reports and see her photographs from the Bahamas Collecting Expedition here.

Carl Lamborg Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution I live blue™...

Fri, 07 Jan 2011 15:13:00 -0500

Carl Lamborg

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

I live blue™ because…
the ocean is in control of my life. Though I don’t see it every day, it has as much if not more impact on my life as the ground I walk on. For example, plants in the ocean make most of the oxygen I need to breathe…the ocean determines most of the planet’s weather and climate, delivering the rain needed to grow the food I eat.

Why do you care about the environment?
It’s where I live, where all the people I know live, and where everyone else lives. If you don’t care about it, you don’t care about yourself, the people you know and everyone else.

What are some things you do in your life to protect the environment?
I try to think about the resources I use (energy and food) and the material I return to the land and ocean (wastes, fertilizers). So, I ride a bike when I can, eat local food when I can, buy local products when I can and take steps to make my house and life more energy efficient. I don’t fertilize my lawn and minimize the amount of detergents and other chemicals I use to keep house. Everything ends up in the ocean eventually, so the less of stuff you need and use, the “bluer” you will be.

See Carl Lamborg’s’s plot of ocean here.

John Mandelman Research Scientist, New England Aquarium I live...

Fri, 07 Jan 2011 12:45:00 -0500

John Mandelman

Research Scientist, New England Aquarium

I live blue™ because…
For as long as it is possible to remember, I have loved and appreciated the oceans - not for the enjoyment they provide, but also because the health of our world is incredibly dependent upon them. That has inspired the drive to do everything in my power to help protect them. Now, having young children, I feel even more compelled to do my part to protect the world of water, because at the rate in which mankind is inflicting harm on the environment, things will not be looking too good by the time my kids are old enough to truly appreciate it. I have also been fortunate enough to make a career out of it, so there are many incentives to do my part to help.

Why do you care about the environment?
We often take for granted how insanely lush and beautiful our natural world is; there is so much to cherish if folks actually stopped and took a look around. In that realm, I strongly believe in individual accountability regarding the environment. Similar to voting in an election, it is convenient for the average person to say “how does what I do as an individual even make a lick of difference?”. However, each person must take it upon him/herself to control what HE/SHE can do. That is the only means for success.

What are some things you do in your life to protect the environment?
My career is based on conducting research to better understand the effects of human impacts on inhabitants of the oceans. Such knowledge helps to inform policy, influence management and conservation initiatives, and educate the scientific community, students of various ages, and the public. I feel blessed that my career itself has a direct positive impact. Otherwise, I do my best to adopt and preach (to friends, family, colleagues, the public, etc.) environmentally/blue friendly actions - eating sustainable seafood, avoiding littering near ocean (or anywhere), driving less/walking more, eating meat and produce from local farms, being energy efficient at home and away, supporting and buying from green companies, etc.

See John Mandelman’s plot of ocean here.

Deborah Cramer Author I live blue™ because… All life, including...

Fri, 07 Jan 2011 12:14:00 -0500

Deborah Cramer

Author

I live blue™ because…
All life, including ours, depends on the sea. The ocean is our lifeline: we can’t live without it.

Why do you care about the environment?
For 3.8 billion years of earth’s history, the ocean has nurtured and sustained life. Most of us live away from the shore, far from the reach of the tides and the smell of salt spray, yet the sea is always with us. It provides the land we walk, fresh water to drink, half the oxygen we breathe, and many of the fossil fuels that heat our homes and businesses, and power our cars.

What are some things you do in your life to protect the environment?
Through my writing and talks, I invite people to explore the meaning of the sea in their lives, to reconsider our lost, but critical connection to the ocean. I believe that once we understand how the sea makes our lives possible, we will do what needs to be done to protect and restore it. At home, I forgo lawn fertilizers, eat less meat and poultry from large factory farms, and try to avoid products containing high fructose corn syrup. I’m remembering more often to shop with reusable bags. I drive less, and improve gas mileage by keeping the rpms at or under 2500. We’re doing an energy audit on our house to identify and seal air leaks, and we’re replacing clunker energy inefficient appliances.

Learn about Deborah Cramer’s writing here.

Explore the many ways the sea is always with us here.

See her plot of ocean here.

Emily Milinazzo Aquarist, New England Aquarium I live blue™...

Fri, 07 Jan 2011 11:44:00 -0500

Emily Milinazzo

Aquarist, New England Aquarium

I live blue™ because…
I know that every effort counts in the fight to protect our planet.

Why do you care about the environment?
Growing up on the Maine coast I spent the majority of my youth outside. I developed a profound sense of respect and responsibility for learning and sharing knowledge of animal life and habitats.

Working at the New England Aquarium has given me the unique opportunity to teach our visitors about not only the marine environment, but the rest of the natural world as well. Once people start to understand this awesome planet, they feel connected to it and that connection is essential if we want people to care enough to take action in preserving the environment.

What are some things you do in your life to protect the environment?
I make informed decisions at the grocery store; I always try to buy locally grown or produced items whenever they are available. I enjoy seafood so I always carry a pocket guide to sustainable seafood (available at the Aquarium, on the Aquarium’s website and there are even versions for smartphones now!). I always ask where seafood is from and how it is caught when I purchase fish or other seafood. This lets the restaurant (or fishmonger) know that there is an interest and need for sustainable options.

Read Emily’s blog entries from the Fall 2010 Bahamas Collecting Expedition here.

See her plot of ocean here.

Andrew Ference NHL Hockey Player, Boston Bruins I live blue™...

Sat, 01 Jan 2011 16:49:00 -0500

Andrew Ference

NHL Hockey Player, Boston Bruins

I live blue™ because…
I heard a saying when I was younger and followed it. “We do not own the Earth, only borrow it from future generations.”

Why do you care about the environment?
Caring about the environment is natural and only recently people have gotten away from that. Past generations have seen the connection and as things industrialized we’ve lost that.

How has your environment affected your career/education decisions?
I’ve created initiatives that make co-workers more aware of environmental issues and encourage them to limit their carbon footprint to be carbon neutral. This includes using offsets for airline trips during road games.

What are some things you do in your life to protect the environment?
I ride my bike and try to save energy by composting, using alternate transport and using energy efficient appliances.

Check out Andrew’s profile on the Bruins’ website here.

Learn more about the National Hockey League Player’s Association Carbon Neutral Challenge here.

See his cube of ocean in the Bay of Fundy here.

Chris Bauernfeind Senior Aquarist, Giant Ocean Tank I live blue™...

Thu, 23 Dec 2010 15:32:00 -0500

Chris Bauernfeind

Senior Aquarist, Giant Ocean Tank

I live blue™ because…
I want the Earth to have a future.

Why do you care about the environment?
The environment is the backbone of the Earth. Without a healthy one, life will cease to exist. It is absolutely prudent that we as the apex predators protect it.

What are some things you do in your life to protect the environment?
One, I make as little trash as possible. I use a reusable mug for coffee each and every day and I always use my own bags when buying goods at stores. I recycle everything that is recyclable, even when it’s not convenient. Most recently, I began composting our kitchen scraps at home.

Two, I try to have a small carbon footprint. I use public transportation and walk or bike more often than I drive. I buy local produce through a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) and also keep a small community garden plot to limit the fossil fuels needed to get food on my plate.

Three, I spread the word that living blue is a smart thing to do.

Learn more about the Giant Ocean Tank here.

Read Chris’ entries on the Divers Blog here.

See his plot of ocean here.

Ari Daniel Shapiro Independent radio producer I live blue™...

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 16:53:00 -0400

Ari Daniel Shapiro

Independent radio producer

I live blue™ because…
our Earth depends on it.

Why do you care about the environment?
I’ve always cared a lot about the natural world. When I was little, I remember reading about the destruction of the rainforest and about the pollution we cause. I told my mom how sad I felt. She looked at me and said it’s okay to feel sad but that I need to do something about it. Something to help.

What are some things you do in your life to protect the environment?
I spent many years learning about the ocean and the creatures that live there. These days, I tell stories about science and the ocean on the radio and using multimedia, teaching others about what our planet has to offer us. I also bike wherever I can, recycle and compost, and talk to others about the importance of our behavior and choices, and that doing little things for the environment add up over time. It’s important to live blue because we owe it to the other plants, animals, fungi and bacteria with which we share the Earth. And we owe it to one another.

Read Ari’s blog.

Listen to Ari’s podcast on the Encyclopedia of Life.

See Ari’s plot of ocean in Fiji here.

Lindsey Feldman National Oceanographic and Atmospheric...

Fri, 04 Jun 2010 23:21:00 -0400

Lindsey Feldman

National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

I live blue™ because…
The ocean is not only a magical and beautiful place, we also can’t survive without it. There’s something about the ocean that captures the hearts and souls of people around the world. No one can deny the jump in their heart when they look out over the blue part of our planet.

Why do you care about the environment?
We cannot survive without the environment around us. The ‘environment’ gives us the food we eat, the air we breathe, land to walk on, and water to drink and swim in. Without the natural world, we are nothing.

What are some things you do in your life to protect the environment?
I work at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to protect our nation’s fisheries and ocean resources. I dedicate each day of my life to protecting what the ocean provides to us humans. I’m also a scuba diving instructor and I try to teach every student to respect, honor and protect the blue planet by showing them how incredible the underwater world is.

Follow Lindsey’s updates on twitter.

Learn more about the NOAA here.

See Lindsey’s plot of ocean in the Bay of Fundy here.

Paul Lauenstein Water Conservation AdvocateI live blue™ because…...

Thu, 03 Jun 2010 08:30:00 -0400

Paul Lauenstein

Water Conservation Advocate

I live blue™ because…
my unborn grandchildren will need adequate supplies of clean water and a healthy environment.

Why do you care about the environment?
As a boy I caught frogs and turtles in nearby wetlands and fished and canoed on local streams and rivers. Those are some of my fondest memories. I want future generations to have the same opportunities.

How has your environment affected your career/education decisions?
I was a zoology major in college. I taught farmers how to grow fish in the Peace Corps in Nepal. I got an MS in aquaculture from Auburn University. I worked on a fish farm in Israel and ran a commercial fish farm in Colorado. I have spent the last seven years promoting water conservation here in my home town of Sharon, MA.

What are some things you do in your life to protect the environment?
We never water our lawn. We don’t use lawn pesticides. We installed two High Efficiency Toilets, a water-efficient washing machine, low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators in my home. We flush only solid wastes. We compost and recycle.

Read the Boston Globe story covering Paul’s efforts here.

Take a virtual tour of Sharon’s water resources work here.

Download “Conservation Through Waterless Lawn Care” here (pdf).

Watch the public service announcement about water conservation here.
(Click Meeting Replays and scroll all the way to the bottom.)

See Paul’s plot of ocean here.

Hilary Maybaum Science Writer / Editor I live blue™ because…I...

Wed, 02 Jun 2010 08:54:00 -0400

Hilary Maybaum

Science Writer / Editor

I live blue™ because…
I care about the ocean so much, I earned a degree in oceanography.

Why do you care about the environment?
Earth is the only home we have. If we don’t protect it, who will?

What are some things you do in your life to protect the environment?
I help educate others about our planet, its value and how we can protect it.

Follow Hilary’s science updates on twitter.

Visit Hilary’s company, i.e. science, online here.

See Hilary’s plot of ocean off the coast of Florida here.

Randi Rotjan, Ph.D. Research Scientist I live blue™ because…I...

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 10:15:00 -0500

Randi Rotjan, Ph.D.

Research Scientist

I live blue™ because…
I live green. On land, I try to recycle, be energy efficient and be an eco-friendly consumer. These actions also impact the oceans, but our oceans have additional, specialized environmental needs. Would there be any green without blue? Probably not. Hence, I live blue in order to fully live green.

Why do you care about the environment?
It’s my home, and home to everything I know and love. Life as we know it would not exist without access to clean air, fresh water, sunshine and healthy oceans. I love life, so I care about the environment.

How has your environment affected your career/education decisions?
I am fascinated by the natural world and have always had questions about the way the world works. Becoming a scientist has enabled me to formalize those questions and explore them for a living.

What are some things you do in your life to protect the environment?
I drive a Vespa or carpool to work. I recycle. I use low energy light bulbs. I donate money, time and supplies to environmental organizations. Most importantly, I study the environment and try to bring my findings to the public to help motivate my community (you!) to be good environmental stewards.

Visit Randi’s website here.

Learn more about Randi’s work here.

Read more her posts from the field on the Aquarium’s Global Explorers Blog here.

Read her posts from the Phoenix Islands here.

See her cube of ocean in the Phoenix Islands here.

Sherrie Floyd Senior Aquarist/Expedition Leader I live blue™...

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 13:23:00 -0500

Sherrie Floyd

Senior Aquarist/Expedition Leader

I live blue™ because…

I am passionate about all things aquatic. Working at the New England Aquarium has allowed me to take my love for the ocean to a whole new level. Every day I care for hundreds of marine animals including sharks, sea turtles, moray eels and stingrays. I couldn’t look them in the eye, if I didn’t live blue!

Why do you care about the environment?
I care about the environment because it is what sustains all of us as well as the animals I love so much.

How has your environment affected your career/education decisions?
Two words: scuba diving! In addition to diving in the Aquarium’s Giant Ocean Tank, I lead Bahamas collecting expeditions every year. Can’t do that without the ocean!

What are some things you do in your life to protect the environment?
I take great pride in our Bahamas collecting expeditions, as we use only the most conservative collecting practices. Our techniques are gentle on the fish we collect, as well as the habitat in which they live. We carefully choose fish that acclimate well to our exhibits and that showcase the diversity and beauty of a Bahamian coral reef. Not only do these trips provide us with a unique opportunity to teach individuals how to collect aquatics without impacting critical habitat, but they also allow us a receptive audience for marine conservation education.

Other ways I live blue are low energy bulbs, recycling, phasing out plastics, and making sustainable food choices. And last but not least, in an effort to help educate my friends and family, I had a “Live Blue” party!

Learn more about the Giant Ocean Tank here.

Read Sherrie’s entries on the Aquarium’s Giant Ocean Tank Blog here.

See her plot of ocean in Fiji here.

John Hanzl Dive Safety Officer I live blue™ because…I live blue...

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 15:39:00 -0500

John Hanzl

Dive Safety Officer

I live blue™ because…
I live blue because the ocean is both my passion and my second home.

Why do you care about the environment?
The question really should be “How can you NOT care about the environment.” It is what makes life possible. Without it our planet is nothing but an airless, lifeless hunk of rock.

How has your environment affected your career/education decisions?
My love of nature in general, and of the aquatic world in specific, is what led me to make a drastic change in careers many years ago. I transitioned from a career in electrical engineering to being a diver for the New England Aquarium, and it is a decision I’ve been grateful for ever since.

What are some things you do in your life to protect the environment?
Both my wife and I work on a daily basis toward protecting and preserving our natural resources. From the small, such as being conscientious and avid recyclers, to the large, such as modifying our diets to embrace sustainable food sources. We work at putting the planet first.

Learn more about the Giant Ocean Tank here.

Read John’s entries on the Aquarium’s Giant Ocean Tank Blog here.

Check out John’s fiction writing here.

See his plot of ocean in the Phoenix Islands here.

Sebastian Junger Author and Journalist I live blue™...

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 08:19:00 -0400

Sebastian Junger

Author and Journalist

I live blue™ because…
water is the lifeblood of the planet.

Why do you care about the environment?
I care about the environment because it is one of the few things of lasting value that we can pass on to the next generation. We evolved as a species in this environment and evolving to the point of destroying it is too great an irony to bear.

How has your environment affected your career/education decisions?
I decided to become a journalist because I believed that it was a profession that could help improve the human condition. I don’t write about the environment but I think it is one of the most important topics there is.

What are some things you do in your life to protect the environment?
I turn off lights, I turn off the water, I keep the heat down and I try to live gently on the planet.

Learn more about Sebastian Junger’s work here.

Browse Sebastian Junger’s articles in Vanity Fair here.

Read a National Geographic article about Sebastian Junger’s book The Perfect Storm here.

See his plot of ocean in Tierra Del Fuego here.

Brian Skerry New England Aquarium Explorer in Residence,...

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:08:00 -0400

Brian Skerry

New England Aquarium Explorer in Residence, National Geographic Photographer

I live blue™ because…
It feels right. And I know that the future of our planet depends on it.

Why do you care about the environment?
I love nature, and having a direct connection with the natural world is crucial, I believe, to humans’ well being. I also realize just how much we have lost and want very much to restore the environment to the way it once was. As much as possible I want to live in harmony with nature and for future generations to have this opportunity.

How has your environment affected your career/education decisions?
I knew from an early age that I wanted to work with animals and to explore the planet. I was drawn to the ocean in a way that is difficult to describe, but was impossible to ignore. I decided to pursue wildlife photography as a way to be connected with the sea and to be able to tell stories about various species and places in which I had an interest.

What are some things you do in your life to protect the environment?
My family and I have been recycling for years. And we have also eliminated the use of plastic bottles as much as possible. We all have reusable water bottles we take with us wherever we go. We’ve also replaced the light bulbs in our home with low energy bulbs. We inform ourselves about the food we eat and make choices that are better for the environment. We also tell friends and family about the things we’ve learned as a way of spreading the word.

Learn more about Brian’s work here.

Visit Brian’s website here.

Read Brian’s posts on the Global Explorers Expedition blog here.

Read Brian’s posts on the Phoenix Islands Expedition blog here.

Read Brian’s posts on the Sea of Cortez Expedition blog here.

See his plot of ocean in the Phoenix Islands here.

Wallace J. Nichols, PhD Research Associate, California Academy...

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 15:11:00 -0400

Wallace J. Nichols, PhD

Research Associate, California Academy of Sciences & Founder/Co-Director, Ocean Revolution

I live blue™ because…
When I look around at the beauty of and challenges facing the planet we live on, there’s no better way to live.

Why do you care about the environment?
That’s kind of like asking “why do your care about your body or your daughter?” Simply put, I don’t see a separation between myself and my kids and the air I breathe, the water I drink, the food I eat and the earth and ocean I walk and swim on. So, it makes sense to take care of it.

How has your environment affected your career/education decisions?
I’ve been fortunate to spend lots of time in places people call “inspiring.” Places where animals are still in charge and where I’m a visitor on their terms. Places where the human footprint is small or invisible. As a result, I’ve been driven to help safeguard those places. My education and career has been about doing that.

What are some things you do in your life to protect the environment?
In our home, we try to eat local foods grown by farmers and ranchers nearby. We choose local and sustainable seafood, if at all. And we’ve been working to get plastic waste out of our household in creative and “old fashioned” ways. Beyond our local actions, we vote blue for candidates who understand that the future of water and the ocean is paramount. The “LIVBLUE/VIVAZUL” theme is a big part of talks I give to groups all over the world.

Visit Wallace J. Nichols’ website here.

Read his blog here.

Learn more about the California Academy of Sciences here.

See his plot of ocean in Fiji here.

(Above photo copyright Neil Osborne)

Ian Bowles Former Massachusetts Secretary of Energy and...

Wed, 05 Aug 2009 17:25:00 -0400

Ian Bowles

Former Massachusetts Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs

I live blue™ because…
I was lucky enough to grow up by the sea and want to make sure my daughter can also enjoy its natural beauty and bounty.

Why do you care about the environment?
The natural environment sustains mankind – economically, nutritionally, spiritually.

How has your environment affected your career/education decisions?
It has been my focus for my whole career. I studied economics and public policy because they are major influences on environmental protection.

What are some things you do to protect the environment?
My job is to serve as chief steward of the Commonwealth’s natural resources. In my personal life, I spend a lot of time swimming, poking around in tidepools and boating with my wife and young daughter. At home, I’ve invested in simple retrofits that save energy and water – such as a new washing machine, programmable thermostats and super efficient windows.

Read about the EOEEA department’s work here.
Read the draft Massachusetts Ocean Management Plan here.
See Secretary Bowles’ plot of ocean here.

Rob Nixon Chairman, Surfrider Foundation South Texas ChapterI...

Wed, 05 Aug 2009 16:30:00 -0400

Rob Nixon

Chairman, Surfrider Foundation South Texas Chapter

I live blue™ because…
My life revolves around the ocean form surfing to fishing.

Why do you care about the environment?
Simple. Without a healthy ocean, we as a species don’t survive. It gives us 70% of the air we breathe, sustains us with its pelagic bounty, entertains us with its wind and waves and scares us with its immense power of influence over the Earth’s weather

How has your environment affected your career/education decisions?
My career and education decisions were made early before I became so involved in trying to make our oceans and beaches a better place. I continue to self educate myself by reading anything I can get my hands on and talk to anyone who will meet me to find out as much as I can about the ocean and beach processes that affect our world and how WE affect them.

What are some things you do in your life to protect the environment?
I volunteer my time with the Surfrider Foundation South Texas Chapter and Friends of Isla Blanca Park on South Padre Island, Texas. My wife and I recycle and have cut most single-use plastics out of our lives. I also have visited schools to talk with students about our watershed and am continually “unlittering” our beaches by picking up trash every day on our beaches.

Read Rob’s blog here.
Visit Surfrider South Texas here.
See Rob’s plot of ocean here.

Peter J. Etnoyer Marine Biologist, NOAA Center for Coastal...

Wed, 05 Aug 2009 16:02:00 -0400

Peter J. Etnoyer

Marine Biologist, NOAA Center for Coastal Environmental Health and Biomolecular Research (CCEHBR)

I live blue™ because…
The oceans sustain me, physically, spiritually, and intellectually.

Why do you care about the environment?
I care about the environment because my idea of a good time is to go bodysurfing, to walk in the woods, or paddle on a river. I want to share the joy with my kids. I see pollution and say we can do better, but first we must care. A healthy environment is a choice.

How has your environment affected your career/education decisions?
I decided to drop out of the film business because I felt like Earth was being destroyed by mundane and irresponsible behavior. The hole in the ozone layer frightened me. Dynamite fishing disturbed me. Nature was vanishing before my eyes. I felt a sense of immediacy, and returned to school.

What are some things you do in your life to protect the environment?
I use canvas bags when I go shopping, avoid plastic containers and blog about ocean conservation issues at Deep Sea News. In my career, I work to support our national marine sanctuaries, and I write scientific papers that help to improve management of oceanic resources.

Visit Peter’s NOAA profile here.
See Peter’s plot of ocean here.