Green Drinks, Blue Oceans

On December 8th, I had the pleasure of attending an exclusive Green Drinks event at the Prince George Ballroom in New York City. Hosted by Green Drinks NYC, the annual Holiday party was enthusiastically focused on Ocean Conservation and the need for Oceanic Education. Introductions were made by award winning Author and Founder of Blue Ocean Institute, Carl Safina(Song for the Blue Ocean: Encounters Along the World's Coasts and Beneath the Seas, Eye of the Albatross: Views of the Endangered Sea, Voyage of the Turtle: In Pursuit of the Earth's Last Dinosaur.)

The evening's keynote speaker, Dr. Sylvia Earle, addressed the critical issues facing our oceans and delved into her experiences as a marine biologist having logged over 7,000 hours underwater). Dr. Earle is a critically acclaimed oceanographer, a National Geographic "explorer-in-residence", was named a "hero of the planet" by Time magazine, and is also the 2009 TED Prize winner for her work on ocean conservation. It was truly an honor to be in the presence of such dedicated, intelligent people who love our oceans so dearly. Think Green, think Blue.

In recent decades we've learned more about the ocean than in all previous human history combined. But as our knowledge has exploded, so too has our power to upset the delicate balance of this complex organism. Modern overexploitation has driven many species to the verge of extinction, from tiny but indispensable biota to magnificent creatures like tuna, swordfish, and great whales.
Since the mid-20th century about half our coral reefs have died or suffered sharp decline; hundreds of oxygen-deprived "dead zones" blight our coastal waters; and toxic pollutants afflict every level of the food chain. Fortunately, there is reason for hope, and what we do—or fail to do—in the next ten years may well resonate for the next ten thousand.

The ultimate goal, is to find responsible, renewable strategies that safeguard the natural systems that sustain us.

– Sylvia Earle

Check out Green Drinks NYC, and if you are ever in the city on the second Tuesday of the month, join up and get connected. Many thanks to my dear friend Dylana Dillon for putting on such a fabulous event!

Also take a peek at:

Oceans in Google Earth

Citizens Campaign for the Environment

Natural Resources Defense Council

Riverkeeper

Pew Environment Group

Shark Savers