Rising Tide: The Ocean Podcast

We talk with Professor and former Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles Geraldine Knatz. Along with being the first woman to run a major port, she is also the founder of the global greening ports movement, having reduced air pollution in the LA/Long Beach port complex 70 percent in 5 years. The author of a new book, ‘Port of Los Angeles’ she’ll say what’s next for climate and clean-up in ports and shipping.

We talk with acoustician Michael Stocker, Founder of Ocean Conservation Research, who explains what a misnomer, “The Silent World,” of Jacques Cousteau actually was. Michael shares sound samples of what a noisy world the ocean has become and the difference between human noise pollution and the lively chatter of a living sea. Here’s a chance to dive into the ocean with your ears and mind.

If you didn’t see it live or on YouTube for our 20th Rising Tide we’re offering the full Writers for the Sea panel discussion David had with his fellow author adventurers Philippe and Ashlan Cousteau, National Geographic Explorer-in-Resident Enric Sala and 18-year-old activist Hannah Testa (Hannah4Change). Among other things they discuss their latest books ‘The Endangereds’, ‘Oceans for Dummies’, ‘The Nature of Nature’ and ‘Taking on the Plastics Crisis.’

We talk with Anna Cummins, Co-Founder of 5 Gyres, one of the leading ocean plastics groups about the science, advocacy and adventure involved in fighting to end plastic pollution of our seas and waterways. It’s all about corporate accountability, finding non-fossil fuel based alternatives and fun fact you’ll hear…Anna once interned for our co-host Vicki.

This time David and Vicki chat with Kelly Wright, chair of the Wyoming Chapter of the Inland Ocean Coalition that Vicki organized. An outdoors woman and lifelong resident of “the Cowboy State” Kelly reveals the connection between cattle and sea turtles while she and Vicki expand on all the other things that connect the heartland and the sea.

With the victory of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice-President-elect Kamala Harris, David and Vicki talk to the Aspen Institute’s Michael Conathan. Michael who has worked on ocean policy both at the democratic-oriented Center for American Progress and in congress under former Republican Senator Olympia Snowe, talks about what a Biden-Harris administration might do to turn the tide for a healthy ocean and blue economy.

With less than two weeks to a historic election that will define the fate of our blue planet, Vicki and I thought we’d chat with ‘Vote the Ocean’ founders Rob Moir and Vipe Desai. Rob, Executive Director of the Ocean River Institute and Vipe, Board Chair of the Ocean Institute are educating citizens on the importance of voting for healthy seas while also working with youth activists and ocean friendly companies.

For over 30 years Richard Charter has been a leader of the national fight to stop offshore oil drilling in our public seas while also being a driver behind the establishment of California’s national marine sanctuaries. Richard talks with David and Vicki about how he gets it done, the challenges of the Trump years and how offshore oil and climate are impacting the 2020 election.

Philippe and Ashlan Cousteau are ocean explorers and multimedia producers who put the blue in the red carpet. Philippe is the third generation of the legendary Cousteau family and Ashlan an entertainment journalist who now reports on sea stars. Among other topics they’ll talk about their latest book projects – The Endangereds (“animals take fate into their own paws”) and Oceans for Dummies.

Get your Blue Mind on with Dr. Wallace J. Nichols, marine biologist, water-lover, and turtle nerd. Hear about how he lost his home in the recent California Lightning Complex fires, and what happens to our brain when in and around the water.