The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation partnered with Smithsonian Books to release this coffee table-style book to bring the wonders of our national marine sanctuaries to your fingertips. America’s Marine Sanctuaries take you on an intimate and immersive journey to explore the rich history, iconic wildlife, and vibrant habitats that make sanctuaries so special and worthy of protection.

America’s Marine Sanctuaries is a tribute to the ocean’s incredible ecosystems and landscapes, from kelp forests to deep sea canyons. The fourteen underwater gems that make up the National Marine Sanctuary System are celebrated for their beauty, history, and importance. Featuring a foreword by actress and activist Sigourney Weaver, the book serves as a gorgeous reminder of what’s at stake in our efforts to conserve the world’s most critical and beautiful environments.

An extraordinary illustrated overview of the National Marine Sanctuary System and a guide to its fourteen protected underwater locations. America’s Marine Sanctuaries tells the story of fourteen underwater places so important they are under special protection, together forming the US National Marine Sanctuary System.

These sanctuaries, spanning more than 620,000 square miles and ranging from the Florida Keys to the Great Lakes and to the Hawaiian Islands, are critical and breathtaking marine habitats that provide homes to endangered and threatened species. They also preserve America’s rich maritime heritage and act as living laboratories for science, research, education, and conservation, offering outdoor recreation experiences for all ages.

Through 175 full-colour photographs and lively narrative, America’s Marine Sanctuaries showcases each of the marine sanctuaries and the creatures that live there, from whales and manatees to Hawaiian monk seals and Laysan ducks, as well as sunken ships from the Ghost Fleet and USS Monitor to Shipwreck Alley. The book underscores how marine sanctuaries have shaped the nation’s development, survival, and identity, and celebrates these protected underwater treasures for all they can tell us about our communities, our country, and our world.

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All over the world, young activists are claiming their right to a safe, sustainable planet.

The European Union shares their concerns and their aspirations, and has taken unprecedented initiatives to stop climate change. But policy alone can’t head off global warming: for those set to inherit the damage, it isn’t enough to watch and hope. They know that thinking global means acting local. This idea is at the core of the #BeTheWave social media campaign.

Through everyday climate-positive actions, young citizens are contributing to a better future. The European External Action Service (EEAS) wants to harness the power of these efforts by making sure these activists are heard.

The campaign is not only about raising awareness: it is a call to action. It is a chance for young people from around the world to protect their planet. By inspiring their peers, participants will trigger a global ripple effect. Even the smallest effort can create a big impact.

#BeTheWave is a simple, interactive, and socially driven way to show how small actions can lead to big changes.

• The EU is at the forefront of the global fight against climate change.
• The Green Deal is the EU’s strategy for making Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050.
• The EU is committed to the UN Sustainable Development Goals to keep the global temperature rise well below 2.0 C this century, and is striving to keep it below 1.50 C in line with the Paris Agreement.
• This year the UN will be 75 years old. The EU wants to mark the anniversary by celebrating the efforts of Millennials and GenZs who want to see the UN’s goals realised.

By leveraging the power of social media, the EEAS aims at empowering everyday activists to inspire and support one another to live climate-positive lives.

#BeTheWave not only heeds the voices of those calling for a fairer, cleaner, and a healthier planet, it amplifies them.

#BeTheWave is driven by young activists and influencers with a shared commitment to fighting climate change. The EEAS has designed this social media campaign to support their work.

On 21 September 2020, influencers from all corners of the globe will begin the #BeTheWave challenge and set off a ripple of climate-positive behaviours.

With tens of thousands of followers, some of these influencers have the potential to set change in motion on a huge scale.

1. Challenge

Influencers from across the globe will take on their #BeTheWave climate challenge.

Each challenge will be a fun, easily replicable action. Many will be environmentally friendly habits for activists to integrate into their everyday lives. It could be something as simple as unplugging unused phone chargers, coming up with ways to use leftovers, or planting flowers to help bees. The point is – it will be something that shows how easy it is to make a difference, and the more people rise to the challenge, the greater the difference will be.

The challenges will be shared by influencers with a specially designed #BeTheWave Instagram filter.

2. Sharing

Activists and influencers will document themselves performing their #BeTheWave climate challenge, sharing photos and videos of their experience using the #BeTheWave filter. In doing so, they will inspire their followers to think about how daily actions affect the climate.

3. Send out the call

Next, the influencers will call on their followers to take up the #BeTheWave challenge.

4. Let the ripple begin

When a follower joins the campaign, they too will document their climate challenge, share it via Instagram, and challenge their own friends and followers to #BeTheWave.

With each story, young climate-conscious people will be given the power to spread change and prove that they can make a difference.

The campaign is a perfect way to empower every activist to inspire others – turning a ripple, into a wave.

LEARN MORE

#BeTheWave Campaign
European Green Deal and EU climate action
Tips for everyday climate action
Our planet, our future – online magazine for young people
European Climate Pact

Feature Destination: 13 Amazing Places to visit in Albania

Albania, a small and undiscovered country, is the perfect place to come and visit the beautiful natural landscapes. If you want to discover some breathtaking views here is a list of the places that must be travelled. Read more…

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Could Plastic-Eating, Silk-Producing Bacteria Be a New Ally in the Fight Against Waste?

Each year tens of millions of tons of plastic are sent to landfills, while another 8 million metric tons of plastic end up in the ocean. It’s an exponential problem that requires an environmentally friendly solution. In order to vastly improve the Earth’s health, that waste needs to be broken down for reuse, but determining how to do this effectively and efficiently has been a persistent challenge. Read more…

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Blue-Blooded Creatures Saving Lives & Why We should Return the Favor

As a researcher and professor, John Tanacredi spends a majority of his time in a laboratory that breeds “living fossils”. These “living fossils” have been saving human lives for over 40 years and he feels it’s about time to give some overdue recognition. Read more…

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Soel Senses 48 – Solar Electric Yacht

Soel Yachts are pleased to announce the release of their new model, the Soel Senses 48. The new 48ft (14.5m) solar electric catamaran is the ideal luxury weekend cruiser for the sustainably minded. Custom battery systems are supplemented by the rooftop solar array, and being entirely fossil-fuel-free the Soel Senses 48 is surprisingly quiet to operate and wonderfully economical. Read more…

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Wyland Channelling Environmental Education into Artform

Renowned marine life artist Wyland changed the way people think about our ocean when he started painting life-size whales on the sides of buildings in the 1980s and 1990s. Now, the foundation of the artist founded to promote clean water and healthy oceans approaches rising ocean temperatures with more resolve. Read more…

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Feature Destination: The Albanian Alps

The flagship region for mountain tourism is the Albanian Alps, the National Parks of Thethi, Valbona and the Region of Kelmendi. The “Accursed Mountains” are both truly spectacular and virtually impenetrable except for a series of high passes that link the small number of farmsteads and homes in the valleys below to the outside world during the summer months. Read more…

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Shooting for Survival By Neil Aldridge

The rhino lifted her head. She was so close I could hear her munching leaves. The tip of her magnificent horn now seemed taller than the stunted mopane trees within my reach, any protection I hoped they would offer was clearly inadequate. I held my breath. Read more…

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Stargazer Fish – Photo taken in Indonesia – Jack’s November Underwater Photograph

Descending upon the coral reefs and sandy slopes throughout Bunaken Marine Park at night will offer a very different experience during the day. The countless colourful reef fish will have all but disappeared, and the ones that have remained look eerily different. Once the sun sets, the ocean becomes a very different, more dangerous place. The reef appears to move as thousands of different crabs and shrimp make their way out to feed. Read more…

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Watching cute animals can reduce your stress levels by up to 50%

Ahead of World Animal Day on the 4th of October 2020, new university research has suggested that simply watching videos of cute animals can be good for your health. The study involved 15 students from the University of Leeds who were preparing to sit an exam later that day, as well as four academic support staff who had declared they were feeling stressed at work. The participants were asked to view images and watch videos of cute animals for a total of 30 minutes. Read more…

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The 10 most beautiful Ionian coast beaches in Albania

With 107 miles of coastline, the Ionian coast has no shortage of beautiful beaches. With deep crystal waters and captivating views here is a guide to the most beautiful part of Albania’s Riviera. Read more…

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Tracking Cownose Ray Migration with the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center

The Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) provides science-based knowledge to meet the environmental challenges of the 21st century. SERC leads research on coastal ecosystems to inform real-world decisions for wise policies, best business practices and a sustainable planet. Read more…

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Children’s Hospital Hosts Nature’s Best Photography Wildlife Exhibit with Support from African Wildlife Foundation

From the Wild to the Walls of Children’s National Hospital, Nature’s Best Photography Brings the Outside in —Inspiring Healing for Patients, Families, and Dedicated Staff. Nature’s Best Photography Windland Smith Rice International Awards Exhibition Now on Display at Children’s National through January 15, 2021. See more…

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Top 6 Valuable Tips for Choosing Environmentally-Friendly Cleaning Products

Eco-consciousness is no longer a fad to a lot of people. Given the domino effect that humans have been at the receiving end of, we now know more about how our future must care for the environment. Plus, it’s not that difficult to contribute to the betterment of our environment. It’s as simple as being more conscious of the cleaning products you use to clean your house. Before you buy a cleaning product, here are six tips that will help you choose the most sustainable and eco-friendly ones. Read more…

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7 Ways Beach-Going Can Be Eco-Friendly

As people take to the beaches every summer – or vacation time, in general – everyone has to keep in mind that beaches should be respected at all costs. Whether you opt for a staycation, or stay at the beach for a day or two, it’s important to be eco-friendly on your trip. Read more…

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The FREE Weekly Conservation Post and Jobs List

Signing up for the free Weekly Newsletter & Jobs List will get you a round-up of upcoming events, webinars, meetings, reports, funding opportunities, photos of the week, and recent postings to the jobs list.

To sign up for our free subscription, please Click Here or email us Here. 

Since 2004, SEVENSEAS Media has fostered an informal and non-partisan platform to promote understanding of key issues and challenges while building partnerships across an increasingly diverse group of marine conservation professionals and students.

Our mission is to promote communication and build partnerships across the global marine community and to identify and address gaps in the community’s work. SEVENSEAS Media achieves this through multimedia promotion and partnerships. The community consists of a diverse and growing group of participants, including non-governmental organizations, government agencies, foundations, bilateral and multilateral agencies, fellowship programs, independent consultants, and academia/students.

If you are interested in contributing or getting involved, email us Here. 

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