Oceans cover most of our planet and play a crucial role in sustaining life on Earth.

Climate change and fossil fuel use are causing ocean acidification, affecting both marine ecosystems and human communities.

Ocean acidification and increased carbon dioxide are damaging coral reefs, which are home to a huge variety of fish species and protect coastal areas.

More than 80 percent of living corals are affected, and fish populations around degraded reefs have dropped dramatically.

Aside from coral bleaching, harmful algal blooms and expanding ocean “dead zones” now threaten marine life and can contaminate drinking water.

The number of dead zones, areas where marine life cannot survive due to low oxygen, increased to about 900 by 2019.

Phytoplankton, tiny organisms at the base of the ocean food chain, absorb carbon dioxide but are also at risk from changing ocean chemistry.

Cephalopods, marine mammals, bivalves, and many other species are sensitive to these chemical changes, which threaten their growth and survival.

Recent experiments show that kelp, when farmed, can help reduce acidity in the water and benefit bivalves like oysters and clams.

Indigenous groups and conservationists are planting kelp to help heal polluted waters, remove carbon and nitrogen, and create healthier habitats.

International science missions are working to better understand how aerosols and phytoplankton interact with climate and weather patterns.

Protecting oceans includes community outreach, reducing plastic waste, and participating in coastal cleanups to prevent further harm.

Projects like forest conservation also help by absorbing CO2 before it reaches the oceans, easing the effects of acidification.

Monitoring and restoring marine species and habitats requires coordinated effort, such as training more certified divers and increasing local conservation actions.

Ocean acidification is a growing issue with wide-ranging impacts on marine ecosystems, food security, and climate stability for everyone on Earth.

Oceans cover most of our planet and play a crucial role in sustaining life on Earth.

Title:

Content: How climate change and warming waters are affecting the health of the oceans

(NEW YORK) — Oceans do so much to sustain life on Earth, including bearing the brunt of global temperatures that have been steadily warming for decades.

An IPCC special report published in 2019 found that oceans — which make up more than 70% of the world’s surface — have absorbed between 20% and 30% of human-made carbon dioxide emissions since the 1980s. They’re also responsible for absorbing more than 93% of the “combined heat stored by warmed air, sea, and land, and melted ice” since the 1970s, according to the Fifth Assessment report published in 2013 by the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

The tipping point is near, experts told ABC News. But there are collective actions to take that could revitalize oceans to a healthier state — the theme of the United Nations World Oceans Day 2022.

“We really see oceans as the biggest ally in the climate change crisis,” Lea d’Auriol, founder of nonprofit Oceanic Global, told ABC News.

This is how climate change is affecting the health of the world’s oceans:

Species are faced with adapting or becoming extinct

Currently, the oceans “are in a state of complete imbalance” that has nearly doubled since the 1990s, d’Auriol said. Look no further than the fishermen, who supply sustenance to more than three billion people who rely on seafood as their main source of protein, as witnesses that climate change is already here, d’Auriol, said.

“If you wanted to ask someone if climate change is really happening, probably the most surest answer you’d get from anyone aside from a scientist is a fisherman,” Arlo Hemphill, senior oceans campaigner for Greenpeace USA, told ABC News. “Because fishermen are seeing these things happen in real time.”

One of the changes long-time fisherman are witnessing is the presence of new species venturing north as the area with their preferred water temperature expands.

Marine organisms maintain the same temperature as the surrounding water, so that when temperature increases, so does the temperature of the organism, Martin Grosell, professor of ichthyology and chair of the University of Miami’s Department of Marine Biology and Ecology, told ABC News. As the temperature rises, the organisms require more energy to move and survive. But, conversely, the levels of oxygen in the water decrease as the temperature warms, forcing the species to move, Grosell said.

The migrations may seem innocuous, but they are disrupting ecosystems all over the world, such as the phenology, or timing, of when grey seals give birth, Hemphill said.

Conversely, species are continuing to die off due to repeated events of marine heatwaves, Anne Christianson, director of international climate policy for the Center for American Progress, a public policy research organization, told ABC News.

Coral reefs are among the most threatened marine ecosystems in the world, scientists say. Coral bleaching, a process that occurs when water is too warm and the corals expel algae from their tissues, causing them to turn completely white, is happening at “alarming” rates — increasing by a rate of 4% per year — along with an uptick in mortality events along entire regions, d’Auriol said.

A study published in the National Academy of Sciences found that coral reefs could stop growing in 10 years unless greenhouse gases are significantly reduced and that, under a worst-case scenario, 94% of all reefs could erode by 2050.

Reefs are often the indicator of the health of an ecosystem, Brenda Ekwurzel, director of climate science for the Union of Concerned Scientists, told ABC News.

Mammals that rely on Arctic ice, such as polar bears and ringed seals, one of the polar bears’ main food sources that live their lives almost entirely on the ice, are also at risk, Ekwurzel said.

Vegetation such as mangroves, seagrass plants and marshes, some of the largest carbon sinks on the planet, which absorb and store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, are also at risk of extinction, d’Auriol said.

The number of dead zones are increasing

A dead zone, or the process of hypoxia, occurs when an algal bloom sucks up all the oxygen in an area, making it impossible for marine life to survive — essentially a biological desert, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

A study published in 2008 in Science found that there were 400 dead zones around the world. By 2019, the number of dead zones had increased to about 900, d’Auriol said.

The dead zones often occur in regions with rampant nutrient runoff, such as at the base of the Mississippi River, where it empties into the Gulf of Mexico, Hemphill said.

Sea level rise will change coastal communities

The biggest contributor to sea level rise is the melting ice in the Arctic, which is heating up twice as fast as the rest of the world, according to the 2021 Arctic Report Card by NOAA. Increases in sea level rise of 6 inches to a foot since the Industrial Revolution may seem like small increments, but crucial infrastructure near oceans was not built to withstand the added inches of water, experts say.

Millions of people living in coastlines around the world, including those in mega cities such as New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco, will be displaced by the rise in sea levels, d’Auriol said.

Carbon dioxide emissions sparks ocean acidification

Ocean acidification, which occurs when water’s pH levels are lowered as a result of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, is not directly caused by warming temperatures but rather by excess carbon dioxide emissions, Hemphill said.

“The alarming thing about it is that shellfish everything from from microscopic plankton, to clams and crabs and coral reefs themselves use calcium carbonate to build their shells,” he said. “And as the ocean acidifies, it becomes more difficult to create the shells.”

Ocean acidification, rather than coral bleaching, will likely be the culprit behind the demise of coral reefs, Ekwurzel said.

Collective actions are necessary to protect the oceans

In line with the 2022 theme for World Oceans Day, “Revitalization: Collective Action for the Ocean,” scientists and conservationists are highlighting the need for individuals, communities, nonprofits, the private sector and governments to come together to create solutions, d’Auriol said.

This includes ensuring the health of marine protected areas by eliminating housing, fishing zones and shipping traffic in the vicinity, d’Auriol said.

Governments will need to create policies to protect both human life and the health of the ocean, Christianson said.

“There isn’t one silver bullet for solving this crisis in the ocean and on land,” Christianson said.

However, the ticking time bomb is the race to drastically reduce global greenhouse gas emissions within the next decade, the experts said.

“We can’t afford to delay those solutions any longer,” Ekwurzel said.

Along the path to properly protecting and preserving oceans is ridding the narrative that oceans are a separate environmental issue from climate change and the conservation of biodiversity, d’Auriol said.

“Because we do live on a water planet, and it’s responsible for sustaining all life on Earth,” she said.

Copyright (C) 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Climate change and fossil fuel use are causing ocean acidification, affecting both marine ecosystems and human communities.

What is the main cause of ocean acidification?

water absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere

Ocean acidification and increased carbon dioxide are damaging coral reefs, which are home to a huge variety of fish species and protect coastal areas.

How do scientists expect ocean acidification to impact specific fish species?

What factors lead to damage of coral reefs?

More than 80 percent of living corals are affected, and fish populations around degraded reefs have dropped dramatically.

Title:

Content: Marine scientist Cindy Saru Chorongo, Drop Access founder Norah Magero and Nisi Dawda, founder of Wacha Story. They work in the climate change space.

|

Climate crisis: Women finding practical solutions to climate change

What does climate change mean to you? To some, it embodies the image of once-lively rivers now reduced to mere trickles, harsh realities of relentless droughts, or the entry of zoonotic diseases that were once confined to textbooks.

To others, it is the distant shores with rising tides, many species of fish on the decline, or the rising cost of living alongside rising temperatures. Amidst these diverse perspectives, is a common thread of fear and concerns about the adverse impacts of climate change and the clarion call to find solutions and make changes to better withstand and respond to the challenges presented by a changing climate.

Starting Monday, Kenya will play host to other heads-of-state to find common, global solutions. The inaugural Africa Climate Summit organised in parallel with the Kenya Climate Week will be held at the Kenya International Convention Centre (KICC) with side events being held in different locations in the city. According to Ali Mohammed, Special Climate Envoy for Kenya, more than 30,000 delegates have registered to attend the event.

The big question is, what do you do in the face of a crisis that is just as complex as it is big? Three women share their journeys and contributions to practical solutions to climate change.

Norah Magero, mechanical engineer and clean energy expert

“When I became a mother in 2018, I moved from Nairobi city to Makino town in Makueni County, a semi-arid region, to be with my family.

One of the challenges that I faced was getting my daughter vaccinated because due to electricity interruptions, many health facilities did not stock vaccines. The fact that I had lived in major towns in Kenya, I was oblivious of the problems faced by many rural communities.

I gathered from some health specialists that while there are solar fridges, they are beyond reach since they must be imported and are expensive to maintain. It was then that I started thinking of a simple and affordable solution to the problem.

Together with my team at Drop Access, an organisation that I founded in the same year, we embarked on a pursuit to design a healthcare refrigerator and came up with VacciBox, a portable solar-powered refrigerator that stores and transports temperature-sensitive medicines such as vaccines, for use in field vaccinations and off-grid hospitals.

The refrigerator can be wheeled or mounted on a bicycle, motorbike, or boat, and has a telescopic handle for easy mobility. It also has a built-in thermostat and digital thermometer to maintain temperatures required for cold-chain medicines, a battery supply, mains, and solar panel connectivity, as well as a charge controller to ensure power stability. By providing access to clean cooling, anybody irrespective of where they are, can access medical items. We had cases of the vaccine box being used to provide coronavirus vaccinations for pastoralist communities, immunisation campaigns, and field medical camps.

Climate change is at play here. Many communities are experiencing rising temperatures to the point that they are unable to access quality healthcare because heat-sensitive medical items need to be kept in cold storage. The portable refrigerator is a climate adaptation solution because right now, we have a crisis with cooling, since the global temperatures are rising, and this issue is affecting how we provide medical services and keep food.

Notably, the solar-powered refrigerator, now in its third version and seeking to have it pre-qualified by the World Health Organisation (WHO), is designed in Kenya. I felt that it was important to come up with a product that is designed for our African context instead of importing one and fitting it into our lifestyles.

Another reason why I went into this is because I wanted to employ myself. Despite the promises that it would be easy for me to find a job as a mechanical engineer, especially a woman, the reality was far from the truth. But I couldn’t do it alone, so I ended up creating employment opportunities for other young people. It also provided a platform to think outside the box and understand why we should run ventures that are impactful and meaningful –those that try to combat issues like climate crisis. We have covered vaccination campaigns in places like Kajiado, Makueni, Kitui County and we are trying to scale into other counties.

We need to start thinking of the nexus between climate change and health because many solvable challenges are being hindered by the climate crisis. I remember when the Covid-19 vaccination was being rolled out, it became very apparent to us that no matter what we are ever going to supply as a solar solution provider in Kenya, if we can't tackle health first, then at the end of the day, we are doomed. That is why I became very passionate about the project, working at the intersection of energy, climate, and healthcare.”

Cindy Saru Chorongo, Marine scientist, and a scuba diver doing coral restoration.

“After completing my university studies and joining Reefolution Foundation, an organisation that works to protect and restore coral reefs in collaboration with local communities in Kwale County, I thought that I would have an office job because I didn’t have much knowledge on coral restoration. Coral reefs are some of the precious habitats in the ocean and about 25 per cent of marine life depend on them for survival. Communities that neighbour oceans earn a living, directly or indirectly from coral reefs.

As a result of climate change, I learned that they are dwindling at an alarming rate and that more than 80 per cent of the living corals are affected. This fostered my interest to train as a scuba diver and I have since been certified as a coral restoration diver.

A day after I did my first restoration, which involved growing corals in a small area, I noticed that by the next day, there were already some fish in the area. This was a difference of just one day and it really inspired me to continue doing what I do. The fish love corals and follow them where they are; it’s their home.

I am also involved in research, experimenting on the resilience of corals. We are trying to see whether corals that grow in shallow waters where there are low tides are exposed to sunlight and hotter temperatures can grow in the deep waters and vice versa. With the changes in ocean temperature, brought about by climate change, it’s critical that we know what kind of corals to garden and restore into the oceans.

One of the highlights of the initiative has been growing corals and seeing them succeed. A couple of years ago, we did a fish survey before restoration and there were only 26 species of fish living around the area. After restoration, the number shot up to 46. Further, the percentage cover of coral increased massively from what we had left.

Besides this, there's also the education aspect of it. Every Wednesday, I coordinate education programs whereby we go to schools in Kwale to talk to learners about marine conservation topics and everything related to marine life and climate change. I also take part in community outreach activities and exchange ideas on how best to protect our oceans. Even as a marine scientist, I learn a lot from the members of the communities. It is also interesting just how much children know about the oceans and what is currently happening.

There was a particular day when we asked a group of children to draw an art piece depicting the ocean. Most of them drew some plastic bottles on the beaches.

I remember asking, “Why a plastic bottle on the beach?” and the response I got was that there are plastic bottles on the beaches. It dawned on me that they are also noticing ocean pollution and the result of it which includes a reduction in fish.

So far, we have targeted more than 150 school-going children around Shimoni in Kwale County, where I currently work, and engaged them not only in education awareness but also in beach clean-up activities.

One big challenge that I have observed is that the quarters who act in initiatives like this are actively working in these fields. Many individuals not in science fields don’t take an interest in marine conservation yet it affects all of us in one way or another.

To create awareness, I share informational materials on my social media platforms, including videos of ourselves underwater, to show everyone what we do and why everyone needs to play a part in environmental conservation. Simple acts like proper disposal of plastic bottles and segregation of waste can go a long way to protecting our environment. This has seen me nominated for a Conservation of the Year-Marine award, organised by WeNaturalists, an ecosystem for professionals and organisations working in nature.

However, it is not smooth diving. Our work is hugely affected by the lack of finances because the work that we do—building artificial reefs whereby we grow corals, for instance, requires a lot of money going into it.

Another thing is the skill. To do coral restoration, you have to be a trained and certified diver. Unfortunately, there are not many of us working as coral rangers. For a greater impact on marine conservation, there need to be dozens of us working as certified divers.

Nisi Dawda, Wacha Story, makes eco-friendly stationery from recycled materials

“Wacha Story is the name of our company. It means, don’t give excuses, and act. In my perspective, it is about conserving the environment. Did you know that more than 80,000 trees are cut down annually to make pencils?

Our journey to help reduce the number of trees cut down for pencils started five years ago, a venture that was inspired by two sons.

The children felt quite distressed when they witnessed the construction of the Nairobi Expressway and the many trees that had to be cut. To put a smile back on their faces, we initiated a modest science project aimed at educating them about the significance of tree planting and nature conservation.

We started seed planting with our children, doing the little things to teach them about trees and nature. One time we got an old newspaper, pulped it, dried it, rolled it with graphite (not lead), and put a capsule at the bottom with seed that’s how we made the first pencil and have since added other items like pens, books, journals, organisers, and colouring sets.

We pick used papers, recycle, or upcycle and make recycled papers, and pencils from them.

To make the pencils, we use graphite and food colourings to make our products chemical-free. The stationery is made in such a way that they decompose much quicker and the pencil shavings can be safely added to compost or as a mulch at the base of plants as the graphite is rich a source of carbon for plants.

Getting into a business that focuses on “Becoming sustainable” is an arduous journey with the main one being how to balance the needs of the environment with factors such as a business’s profit or saving money knowing that we are competing with products that are factory-made against our hand-made products. When I take on a new client, I tell them of the contributions that they are making to the environment. However, some clients feel that what we are doing doesn’t have much of an impact and that we should be looking at tangible ways of “helping our planet” like proper disposal of plastics but our focus is on carbon footprints.

The other challenge is inadequate resources and limited access to technology. Further, the supply chain is complex, and the cost of production is quite high.

Embedding seeds in our stationery products adds an innovative and eco-friendly touch. We have a “Don't Throw Me, Grow Me” concept which encourages customers to give the products a new life by planting them and watching them grow into plants. This not only minimises waste but also promotes a deeper connection with nature.

We have recently linked up with the Lang’ata Women’s Prison to manufacture some of our products and later this year, we are looking at introducing a programme whereby we look to encourage the communities to help us collect the waste material from their neighbourhoods.”

Aside from coral bleaching, harmful algal blooms and expanding ocean “dead zones” now threaten marine life and can contaminate drinking water.

Title:

Content: NASA’s PACE Mission to Unlock the Secrets of Earth’s Climate and Foster Innovative Solutions

NASA is preparing to launch its Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem (PACE) mission, which aims to provide crucial insights into Earth’s climate and address the pressing challenges posed by the climate crisis. The mission will be launched on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

The PACE mission will focus on studying microscopic oceanic and atmospheric particles that have a profound impact on Earth’s climate and the lives of people around the world. By examining phytoplankton, tiny plant-like organisms that convert carbon dioxide into cellular material and play a vital role in oceanic life and carbon absorption, scientists hope to gain a deeper understanding of their significance. These microscopic organisms not only support critical fisheries but can also cause harmful algal blooms that affect beaches and contaminate drinking water.

Additionally, PACE will investigate the complex relationship between aerosols, clouds, and solar energy absorption and scattering. Aerosols, which are tiny particles suspended in the air, have a significant influence on cloud formation and weather patterns. Understanding this interplay between aerosols, clouds, and the weather system could provide valuable insights into extreme weather events and guide policy decisions to mitigate their effects.

The significance of the PACE mission lies in its exploration of the invisible and interconnected realms of air and water, which are fundamental to sustaining life on Earth. Many of the mysteries surrounding Earth’s climate and ecosystems reside in these domains, requiring advanced instruments to observe and analyze them.

Not only will the data from the PACE mission enhance our understanding of Earth’s climate and oceanic processes, but it will also be used to support practical applications and benefit society. By collaborating with scientists, academics, public health practitioners, and industry professionals, the PACE mission aims to foster innovative solutions that address pressing societal needs. This includes monitoring water resources, recreational water quality, fisheries, harmful algal blooms, air quality, and responding to and mitigating the risks of natural disasters like floods, volcanic eruptions, and wildfires.

As we stand at a critical juncture in tackling the climate crisis, NASA’s PACE mission holds the promise of unlocking valuable knowledge about Earth’s climate and empowering us to take informed action to preserve our planet for future generations.

FAQ Section:

1. What is the PACE mission?

The PACE mission stands for Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem mission. It is an upcoming mission by NASA aimed at studying microscopic oceanic and atmospheric particles and their impact on Earth’s climate and ecosystems.

2. What will the PACE mission focus on?

The PACE mission will focus on studying phytoplankton, tiny plant-like organisms that play a vital role in oceanic life and carbon absorption. It will also investigate the relationship between aerosols, clouds, and solar energy absorption and scattering.

3. Why are phytoplankton important?

Phytoplankton convert carbon dioxide into cellular material and play a crucial role in oceanic life and carbon absorption. They support critical fisheries but can also cause harmful algal blooms that affect beaches and contaminate drinking water.

4. What is the significance of studying aerosols, clouds, and solar energy?

Aerosols, which are tiny particles suspended in the air, have a significant influence on cloud formation and weather patterns. Understanding this relationship can provide insights into extreme weather events and guide policy decisions to mitigate their effects.

5. How will the PACE mission benefit society?

The data from the PACE mission will enhance our understanding of Earth’s climate and oceanic processes. It will also be used to support practical applications such as monitoring water resources, recreational water quality, fisheries, harmful algal blooms, and air quality. It will also help respond to and mitigate the risks of natural disasters.

Key Terms and Jargon:

1. Phytoplankton: Microscopic plant-like organisms that convert carbon dioxide into cellular material and play a vital role in oceanic life and carbon absorption.

2. Aerosols: Tiny particles suspended in the air that have a significant influence on cloud formation and weather patterns.

3. Harmful algal blooms: Rapid growth of algae in water bodies that can be harmful to marine life and contaminate drinking water.

4. Ecosystem: A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.

5. Mitigate: To reduce the severity or seriousness of something, in this case, the effects of extreme weather events or natural disasters.

Related Links:
NASA
Climate.gov
EPA Climate Indicators

The number of dead zones, areas where marine life cannot survive due to low oxygen, increased to about 900 by 2019.

Phytoplankton, tiny organisms at the base of the ocean food chain, absorb carbon dioxide but are also at risk from changing ocean chemistry.

What is the main cause of ocean acidification?

water absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere

Cephalopods, marine mammals, bivalves, and many other species are sensitive to these chemical changes, which threaten their growth and survival.

How do scientists expect ocean acidification to impact specific fish species?

it will affect their physiology and growth

How does coastal ocean acidification affect shellfish?

it can kill shellfish
it slows their growth

Which marine organism is vulnerable to increased levels of ocean acidification?

Recent experiments show that kelp, when farmed, can help reduce acidity in the water and benefit bivalves like oysters and clams.

Title:

Content: Newswise — STONY BROOK, NY, May 25, 2022 – While kelp is known as a nutritious food item for sea creatures and humans alike, harvesting kelp may be a new way to help keep bivalves such as clams and oysters – a more common food source and marine industry staple – healthy and more abundant. A new study led by Christopher Gobler, PhD, and a team of scientists at the Stony Brook University School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences (SoMAS) shows that the presence of kelp significantly reduces ocean acidification, a result of climate change.

Published in Frontiers in Marine Science, the study also demonstrated that the deployment of kelp on an oyster farm nullifies ocean acidification and therefore protects bivalves against acidification. The process may also have additional ecosystem and aquaculture benefits, including the sequestration and extraction of carbon and nitrogen, and protection against harmful algae blooms.

For shellfish, one of the most serious climate change-related threats is ocean acidification. Carbon dioxide or CO2 levels in Earth’s atmosphere continue to rise, infiltrating oceans where it causes chemical reactions that lower pH and cause ocean acidification. For the past two decades, one of the most robust conclusions of ocean climate change research has been that increasing levels of CO2 in surface waters threaten shellfish that rely on higher pH waters to grow and survive. This threat is particularly acute in coastal zones where additional sources of acidity can further reduce pH and slow shell formation in shellfish, especially bivalves. And while many wild populations of bivalves have collapsed, a burgeoning wave of aquaculture in the U.S. and around the World has caused the global production of seafood via aquaculture to grow and now exceed wild capture.

“Despite this wave of aquaculture, the intensification of ocean acidification now threatens bivalve aquaculture and has necessitated a solution,” explains Professor Gobler, the Endowed Chair of Coastal Ecology and Conservation at SoMAS.  “We believe our work is foundational to a solution.”

In the study, titled “Kelp (Saccharina latissima) Mitigates Coastal Ocean Acidification and Increases the Growth of North Atlantic Bivalves in Lab Experiments and on an Oyster Farm,” Professor Gobler and colleagues conducted six experiments to assess the effects of elevated CO2 and presence of kelp (S. latissima) on the growth rates of three different species of bivalves: (Eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica), blue mussels (Mytilus edulis), and hard clams / Northern quahogs (Mercenaria mercenaria).

In each of the experiments, acidification was significantly reduced with the cultivation of kelp. They furthered the research with the ultimate test – a field experiment at the Great Gun oyster farm in Moriches Bay, New York.

They found that during a one-month deployment, oysters that were surrounded by kelp enjoyed higher pH water and grew significantly faster than individual shellfish located further away where the pH of the water was significantly lower.

Professor Gobler and colleagues emphasize that these findings have powerful implications for oyster farming in coastal zones.

“We have been witnessing coastal ocean acidification for years and have documented its ability to slow the growth, and even kill off, shellfish. We began growing kelp on oyster farms to simply expand aquaculture, regionally. After seeing its ability to rapidly take up CO2 and improve low pH conditions, we knew it had the potential to benefit shellfish experiencing acidification. And while showing that in the lab was exciting, being able to improve the growth of oysters on an oyster farm experiencing coastal acidification proves this approach can have very broad applications,” explains Professor Gobler.

Overall, the research clearly shows, according to the authors, that “the cultivation of kelp constitutes an environmentally friendly means of protecting shellfisheries against present and future ocean acidification and other coastal stressors.”

Building on the work, helping the oyster farms

“We’ve helped grow kelp on 10 oyster farms across New York since 2018 and more and more aquaculturists have been hoping to incorporate kelp into their farms,” says Mike Doall, Associate Director of Shellfish Restoration and Aquaculture at Stony Brook University. “In addition to providing crop diversification and additive revenue streams, the ability of kelp to fight ocean acidification gives these oyster farmers one more reason to add kelp as a second crop.”

The recent study builds on other research by the same SoMAS group, which published a study in Harmful Algae in 2021. That study demonstrated that kelp has the ability to deter the intensity of harmful algal blooms, another environmental threat to shellfish aquaculture.

Such scenarios with kelp appear to create a win-win scenario for oyster farmers like Paul McCormick, owner of the Great Gun oyster farm where the current study was performed.

“Kelp looks to be the perfect complement to oysters on my farm,” says McCormick. “It grows during winter and spring, when the oysters need less attention, and there is lots of interest in kelp from restaurants. If it is offering protection to my oysters against poor water quality, well that’s another good reason to add it to my farm.”

Citations:

Young, C. S., Sylvers, L. H., Tomasetti, S. J., Lundstrom, A., Schenone, C., Doall, M. H., & Gobler, C. J. (2022) Kelp (Saccharina latissima) mitigates ocean acidification and increases the growth of North Atlantic bivalves in lab experiments and on an oyster farm. Frontiers in Marine Science, Volume 9 | Article 881254

Sylvers, P. H., & Gobler, C. J. (2021). Mitigation of harmful algal blooms caused by Alexandrium catenella and reduction in saxitoxin accumulation in bivalves using cultivable seaweeds. Harmful Algae, 105, 102056.

SEE ORIGINAL STUDY

MEDIA CONTACT
Register for reporter access to contact details
CITATIONS

Frontiers in Marine Science

Indigenous groups and conservationists are planting kelp to help heal polluted waters, remove carbon and nitrogen, and create healthier habitats.

Title:

Content:   • Outdoors

Nuns and Indigenous women band together on a surprising solution for state’s major problem: ‘It’s empowering’

The goal is to clean up their “shared backyard.”

Photo Credit: Shinnecock Kelp Farmers

A group of Indigenous women and nuns have joined forces to heal the polluted waters of New York, using kelp and song.

It all began when one of the sisters started singing while another played the flute and others recited poetry and prayers to help some kelp seedlings grow big and healthy before being planted off the shores of Long Island, New York, as reported by The Guardian.

They are working with a group of women from the Shinnecock, a local Indigenous tribe, to establish a kelp farm. The goal is to clean up the pollution in their “shared backyard,” per The Guardian.

Danielle Hopson Begun, a tribal member, told The Guardian: “When we started our hatchery, we were doing a lot of research for ways to give our kelp the best start in life.”

Begun told the outlet that “studies have shown that plants respond well to high-frequency tones.”

The goal of the group is to use the kelp to get rid of the carbon and nitrogen that have been poisoning the local waters.

For years, the waters surrounding Long Island have had health problems due to wastewater and stormwater runoff. That introduces too much nitrogen and other nutrients that increase the growth of algae, which uses up the oxygen in the water, per Earth.org.

This lack of oxygen, called hypoxia, has made aquatic life-forms either leave the area or die.

In 1985, the EPA, along with the states of New York and Connecticut, joined forces to form the Long Island Sound Study

Since then, the initiative has led investments and programs that have had a conservation impact of over $62 million, per Earth.org, for various regional and local projects.

But there is still lots of work to be done, and kelp may be the answer.

Studies have shown that kelp has the ability to absorb carbon and nitrogen from water, acting as a natural way to fight ocean acidification

Starting a kelp farm generally includes growing kelp from seedlings in tanks at a hatchery and farming them in ocean water.

In 2019, six Shinnecock women decided to take their own initiative using kelp. They came together to create a kelp-farming collective and sought the help of the Sisters of St. Joseph.

Together, they are working to save the bay where both communities are located, and it appears to be working.

“Our voices for so long have just been erased or silenced,” said Shinnecock lawyer Tela Troge, whose tribe has been on Long Island for the last 13,000 years, per The Guardian.

“It’s refreshing. It’s empowering,” Troge said, referring to the change her people are making with the nuns.

Join our free newsletter for cool news and cool tips that make it easy to help yourself while helping the planet.

International science missions are working to better understand how aerosols and phytoplankton interact with climate and weather patterns.

Protecting oceans includes community outreach, reducing plastic waste, and participating in coastal cleanups to prevent further harm.

Projects like forest conservation also help by absorbing CO2 before it reaches the oceans, easing the effects of acidification.

Title:

Content: - WSL / Brent Bielmann

The ocean critically influences our atmosphere, and a changing climate has consequences for our coasts and way of life. With this in mind, WSL pledged to become carbon neutral in 2019 by offsetting staff and athlete travel, events, and business operations, and also offset the 2018 calendar year, prior to making the commitment in 2019.

The WSL is offsetting its carbon footprint by investing in and supporting projects such as VCS (Verified Carbon Standard) and REDD+ (reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation) certified carbon offset projects that have a focus on restoring and protecting natural ecosystems as well as supporting renewable energy development in each of the WSL's regions.

From 2018 to 2019 the WSL moved to 100% nature based solutions, adding the McCloud River andJari Pará Project to their portfolio and continued this approach in 2020. Nature-based solutions, or natural climate solutions, are projects that restore, protect or transform land. In this way, nature absorbs more CO2 emissions from the atmosphere.

In addition, from 2018 to 2019 the WSL identified that staff flights were the largest source of emissions in 2018 accounting for 53.1% of all emissions. With this in mind, a concerted effort was made to reduce staff travel while still providing the best event experience possible for athletes and fans and reduced staff travel emissions to 45.8% of all emissions (reducing the largest emissions source by 7.3% YOY).

Since 2018, WSL has measured, reduced and offset emissions from WSL Championship Tour, Big Wave Tour and WSL Operations. In total, from 2018 through 2022, WSL has offset 22,003 tonnes of CO2 emissions (mtCO2e) with an average of 4,401 tonnes of CO2 emissions (mtCO2e) per year, including 100% nature-based solutions, which is equivalent to planting and growing 363,821 trees for 10 years (EPA). In 2021, WSL deepened its investment in this space by also offsetting operations at WSL Surf Ranch, in Lemoore, Calif., a world-class facility that features the longest, rippable, open barrel human-made wave.

We all depend on healthy oceans to survive. - WSL / Kody McGregor

WSL offset projects from 2018-2023 have included:

In Australia: The Mount Sandy Conservation forest project ensures permanent protection for a regionally and culturally important pocket of biodiversity-rich land in partnership with its Traditional Owners. Local birds, animals and plants flourish undisturbed, while native plants for revegetation will be supplied by the local nursery at Raukkan Aboriginal Community, a self-governed Indigenous community 50 kilometers northwest of the project site.

In Asia Pacific: The Katingan Mentaya project in Borneo is a REDD+ peat swamp forest that fights deforestation from mining and palm oil plantations. VCS and Triple Gold Certified project recognized for its positive social impacts (34 communities; 45k people) and biodiversity (5 Critically Endangered, 8 Endangered, and 31 Vulnerable species).

In Africa: The Mikoko Pamoja mangrove reforestation project in Gazi Bay, Kenya is run by two rural communities who have protected 117 hectares of mangroves, provided clean water for 3,500 people, restored local school buildings, sponsored football clubs, and supplied educational materials for 700 school children.

In South America:

  • The Vida Manglar is the world's first blue carbon project to enter the market with its carbon stores fully valued - that is, with the carbon stored in both the trees and the soils, fully accounted for. The project is based in Colombia and will reduce approximately one million tons of carbon dioxide emissions over 30 years by conserving and sustainably managing coastal mangrove ecosystems, marshes, and associated streams. Conservation International and regional partners - INVEMAR Research Institute and CVS (Coporación autónoma regional del Valle del Sinú) are using the carbon value generated through the conservation and restoration of mangroves to contribute to a long-term sustainable financing strategy for the region.
  • The AgroCortex project is a REDD+ forest conservation project in the Amazon rainforest. Over the next 30 years, this project will help reduce over 14 million tonnes of CO2 from entering the atmosphere. Additionally, this project will help protect the Amazon's rich biodiversity and lies inside a worldwide birdlife endemic area. Fauna surveys conducted indicated the presence of 345 species of birds.
  • The Jari Pará Project is a forest conservation project. It reduces potential greenhouse gas emissions by protecting a large swath of forest (almost twice the size of Luxembourg) that otherwise would have been destroyed. It is a REDD+ project that is at the front lines of deforestation in the Amazon today trying to stop clear-cutting practices that are causing the loss of so much rainforest today.
  • The Santa Vitoria do Palmar and Chui wind farm in Brazil (a United Nations Clean Development Mechanism Certified Emission Reduction project) which powers 400,000 homes. Also,the ceramic factories of Argibem, São Sebastião, and Vulcão which run on renewable biomass instead of native timber from endangered and unique Brazilian ecosystems, and also has positive social impacts in the community schools.

In North America:

  • Almost 24,000 acres of protected Redwood forest protected from traditional logging to store carbon and safeguard endangered wildlife (Coho Salmon and Northern Spotted Owl) in the coastal watersheds of the Garcia River Forests in Mendocino County.
  • The McCloud River project is an Improved Forest Management project. It generates emissions reductions through sustainable practices of commercial timberlands about 20 miles southeast of Mount Shasta in Northern California. Commercial harvesting does occur on the project, but by using sustainable practices the landowners have preserved more forest and actually increase the amount of carbon stored by the property over time.

In addition to the projects above, WSL has also supported the One Carbon World projects detailed below aligned to 2022 and 2023 emissions such as reforestation initiatives that enhanced soil quality and erosion in Uruguay and projects focused on mitigating climate change through innovative technologies and sustainable practices in India.

  • In South America, the Lumin/Eucapine/La Pitanga Project is a VERRA, Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) project, which is a 100-year project that will sequester up to 5.601.938 tonnes of CO2e. The main objectives of the project activity are to convert degraded grassland into beneficial forest plantations, enhancing soil quality and preventing erosion, conservation of natural resources, land restoration and carbon sequestration through afforestation. All practices follow FSC® forest management standard for responsible forest management, while enhancing biodiversity conservation by increasing the connectivity of forests and different ecosystems, generating income and job opportunities for local communities in rural areas of the centre-east region of Uruguay.
  • A United Nations GHG Emission Reductions by thermal oxidation of HFC 23 Project: This project innovation is a result of an international technical collaboration between the UK, Switzerland, Netherlands, Italy, Japan, and India. In collaboration with industries and communities, this project strives to achieve significant reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This project has developed and built facilities that now capture HFC gases into substances with no or lower global warming potential, reducing the impact that such gases would have on our climate if they were released. This vital initiative is dedicated to preserving the ozone layer and mitigating climate change through innovative technologies and sustainable practices. By promoting cleaner production methods, energy efficiency, and renewable energy adoption, the project minimizes GHG emissions, contributing to global efforts in addressing climate change. This project will sequester 3,000,000 metric tonnes CO2 equivalent per annum.
  • This United Nations N2O Emission Reduction Project based in India, aims to protect the environment by significantly reducing N2O emissions and also aims to reduce pollution to our waterways. This project supports the installation of a secondary catalyst in the ammonia reactors of one of the two nitric acid production units of the fertilizer plant of Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers ("RCF"). N2O is a potent greenhouse gas with very high global-warming potential. The project activity helps in the catalytic reduction of N2O which is an undesirable by-product of the nitric acid production process and so emission reductions of it. This project will sequester 901,968 metric tonnes of CO2 equivalent per annum.

In compliance with California Assembly Bill 1305 (2023), click here for more information on the WSL's supported carbon projects.

All coastline communities and ecosystems are impacted by the health of our ocean. - WSL / Jesse Jennings

The WSL also works to reduce its carbon footprint by regionalizing its operation, limiting non-essential travel and implementing policies to reduce carbon emissions at its offices. In 2022, WSL Announced the Global Impacts below:

  • Reduced emissions by 49% from the 2018 baseline year.
  • Reduced waste by 70% from the 2018 baseline year.
  • Collected 100 tons of plastic from Indonesia's rivers, and
  • Conserved 347,291 hectares of land, including long term protection for incredible waves and surf ecosystems at Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica and Grajagan Bay, Java, Indonesia.

From 2018 through 2022 the WSL carbon offset program was calculated and curated in partnership with STOKE (Sustainable Tourism & Outdoors Kit for Evaluation), a certification organization with standards built specifically for surf and mountain tourism operators, destinations, and affiliated events. Starting in 2023, WSL will be partnering with One Carbon World for their carbon offset program.

Some facts that propelled the WSL pledge to become carbon neutral by the end of 2019:

  • Because of increased global temperatures, the ocean has absorbed more than 90 percent of the excess heat in the atmosphere, which causes more frequent and intense storms and dangerously rising sea levels. (Laffoley, D., & Baxter, J. (2016). Explaining ocean warming: Causes, scale, effects and consequences.)
  • Sea level is expected to rise by 2-3 feet by the end of this century, and over 6 feet is plausible. Sea level has already risen 10 inches since 1900 due to warming oceans and melting ice. (IPCC, 2013: Summary for Policymakers.)
  • Sea level rise will threaten over 150 million people by the end of this century. (Kopp et al., 2017, Earth's Future)

Check out WSL's 2023 Annual Purpose and Impact Report to learn more about our impact in and out of the water.

The ocean is the largest ecosystem on Earth and supports life on our planet. - WSL / WSL/Matt Dunbar

Oceans make up over 70% of the earth's surface and are responsible for: regulating our global climate, providing us with food we depend on for survival, and cleaning the air we breathe. Our one ocean is also the world's largest storehouse for carbon with more than 80% of the carbon cycle circulating through the waves we ride.

With carbon emissions continuing to rise, our oceans are taking on more energy and heat, which results in rising sea levels and temperatures. This continual absorption of CO2 also leads to increased acidity, which combined with warming temperatures, is changing the basic composition of our ocean leading to the destruction of coral reefs. Our reefs not only provide us with some of the breaks we cherish most, but are entire ecosystems to many species that rely on them for food and protection. In addition, they serve as the primary source of protein for most coastal communities.

While business and governments play a large part in improving the health of our climate, individual actions are instrumental in creating global change. Take individual action today through the suggestions below and help build a healthy global climate by:

Transportation:

  • Biking/skating more, driving less (why: reducing your carbon footprint and use of fossil fuels makes a big difference for our planet)
  • Carpooling
  • Taking public transit

Food:

  • Eating local (why: because locally produced food has a much lower carbon footprint than items that are shipped across the planet)
  • Eating organic (why: because organic is healthier for our soil, our planet, and thus, our ocean)
  • Embracing a plant-rich diet (why: producing certain meat has a high environmental footprint in terms of carbon production and water and land use.)
  • Eating less dairy
  • Buying food in bulk
  • Composting food waste

Energy:

  • Supporting clean energy sources - such as wind, solar, or geothermal.
  • Switching to energy efficient light bulbs and LED lights
  • Turning off electronics when not in use to save energy
  • Getting a home energy audit

Community:

  • Vote! (why: because voting for policy leaders who supporting strong climate policy helps to effect change)
  • Working to spread awareness on the climate crisis
  • Supporting sustainable companies and brands who are actively reducing their carbon emissions

and...

support our WSL One Ocean coalition partners and WSL PURE Grantees who are committed to finding solutions to reduce our climate impact!

World Surf League
Download it for free on the App store. Download it for free on Google Play.

What is the main cause of ocean acidification?

water absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere

Monitoring and restoring marine species and habitats requires coordinated effort, such as training more certified divers and increasing local conservation actions.

Ocean acidification is a growing issue with wide-ranging impacts on marine ecosystems, food security, and climate stability for everyone on Earth.

What factors lead to damage of coral reefs?


Syria's traditional glassblowing is an artisanal craft centered in Damascus, where craftsmen shape molten glass using techniques handed down across generations.

The process involves heating glass to a molten state, attaching it to a blow pole, and carefully shaping it by blowing air into it and reheating it as needed.

This skill often requires the artisan to spin the blow pole, apply localized heat with small propane tanks, and manipulate the glass while it is soft and glowing red hot.

Glassblowing in Syria has historically been both a livelihood and an art practice, integral to the country's cultural identity and its reputation for fine craftsmanship.

The teaching of glassblowing traditionally happens via apprenticeship, with masters guiding students through errors and encouraging them to persist and refine their skills.

Syria's glassblowing tradition has shaped both everyday objects and artistic works, making Syrian glassware sought after throughout the region and beyond.

The craft has suffered severe decline due to conflict, displacement, factory closures, and loss of skilled artisans, leaving the number of traditional craftsmen at a historic low.

Today, much knowledge is at risk of disappearing as only a handful of craftspeople continue the practice, often in difficult or refugee conditions.

UNESCO has listed Syrian glassblowing on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding because this living tradition is threatened with extinction.

Preserving Syrian glassblowing is seen as crucial for maintaining cultural diversity, identity, and heritage, as well as supporting the artists' ability to pass their knowledge to new generations.

Safeguarding measures include awareness campaigns, documentation, training, and support for the remaining artisans to ensure this unique tradition survives.

Syria's traditional glassblowing is an artisanal craft centered in Damascus, where craftsmen shape molten glass using techniques handed down across generations.

Title:

Content: Bella Hadid flashes her toned figure in shorts and a cropped sports top while showing off her creative side as she learns the art of glassblowing

It appears Bella Hadid has found a new hobby that showcases her artistic side.

On Sunday, the catwalk queen took to her Instagram page and posted a step-by-step video of herself making her own glass piece, using classic glassblowing technique in a workshop.

Considering the extreme temperatures it takes to make glass from beginning to end, Bella opted to keep her cloths to a minimum and wore skimpy white shorts with a cropped purple sports top.

Showing her creative side: Bella Hadid, 25, learned the classic art of glassblowing to make her own glass piece and posting a video on her Instagram page on Sunday

Glass is made from the process of heating sand to an extremely high temperature so that it turns into a moldable liquid. When it solidifies, a piece of glass is formed in whatever shape the creator has molded it into.

In the video, viewers will find Bella at the stage where she's working to shape the molten red hot material.

She can be seen sitting down and jabbing a long, sharp wrench-like tool with her scorching hot material, which was attached to a hollow blow pole about three feet long.

She was concerned with safety and wore goggles to protect her eyes.

Shaping: The video shows Bella at the stage where she's working to shape the molten red hot material that is attached to a blow pole

Working it: An instructor can be heard voicing a couple of tips as she spins that object around to the point where a small hole begins to form

Dose of heat: By the end of the first clip, Bella gets up and gives the hot material another dose of intense heat by placing it into a fiery furnace

An instructor can be heard voicing a couple of tips as she spins that object round and round to the point where a small hole begins to form.

By the end of the first clip, Bella gets up and gives the hot material another dose of intense heat by placing it into the fiery furnace.

For the next phase, the instructor assists Bella and slowly spins the blow pole while she sands down the still-molten red piece with two black blocks.

The heat is so intense that you can see steam floating into the air as they continue the sanding-down process.

Honing it: For the next phase, the instructor assists Bella and slowly spins the blow pole while she sands down the still molten red piece with two black blocks

Team work: Bella and the instructor work together to begin molding the molten hot object into shape with those two black blocks

Trippy: Bella gave her 53.7 million Instagram fans and followers a look at how her glass piece is looking at this stage of the process

More intense heat: At one point, the Washington, DC, native can be seen kneeling down using a small propane tank to heat up the object to make a few more changes

At one point, the Washington, DC, native can be seen kneeling down using a small propane tank to heat up the object to make a few more changes.

'Oh yeah, that's the one right there,' a man's voice from behind the camera can be heard saying as they continue to spin the object while jabbing it with that sharp tool.

As the process continues, Bella sits down, spinning the blow pole back and forth as it rests in a round plate that she holds with her right hand.

'It's a perfect shape,' the instructors says in encouragement.

'Here it is, ladies and gentlemen,' the man continues just as Bella gets up to blow into the pole to expand the molten hot material out to form some sort of glassware or vase.

Example: The catwalk queen drew out the shape of her piece she was trying to attain with chalk

Rounding it out: As the process continues, Bella sits down and spins the blow pole back and forth as it rests in a round plate that she holds with her right hand

Major phase: 'Here it is, ladies and gentlemen,' the man from behind the camera continues as Bella starts blowing into the pole

Expanding: Bella then process of blowing into the pole to expand the molten material out to form some sort of glassware

Old technique: Glassblowing is the practice of shaping a mass of glass that has been softened by heat by blowing air into it through a tube, or in this case a pole

The final clips shows a closeup of Bella spinning the glass while adding a few intricate touches to the piece with a prong-like tool.

Glassblowing is the practice of shaping a mass of glass that has been softened by heat by blowing air into it through a tube

It was was invented by Syrian craftsmen in the area of Sidon, Aleppo, Hama and Palmyra in the 1st century BC, according to Britannica.

The technique has remained essentially the same to the present day.

Ancient art form: Glassblowing was was invented by Syrian craftsmen in the area of Sidon, Aleppo, Hama and Palmyra in the 1st century bc, according to Britannica

Lovin' it: The glassblowing technique has remained basically the same to the present day

Advertisement

Bella Hadid flashes her toned figure in shorts and a crop top while learning the art of glassblowing

No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards.

The process involves heating glass to a molten state, attaching it to a blow pole, and carefully shaping it by blowing air into it and reheating it as needed.

This skill often requires the artisan to spin the blow pole, apply localized heat with small propane tanks, and manipulate the glass while it is soft and glowing red hot.

Glassblowing in Syria has historically been both a livelihood and an art practice, integral to the country's cultural identity and its reputation for fine craftsmanship.

The teaching of glassblowing traditionally happens via apprenticeship, with masters guiding students through errors and encouraging them to persist and refine their skills.

Syria's glassblowing tradition has shaped both everyday objects and artistic works, making Syrian glassware sought after throughout the region and beyond.

The craft has suffered severe decline due to conflict, displacement, factory closures, and loss of skilled artisans, leaving the number of traditional craftsmen at a historic low.

Title:

Content: Selma Feriani Gallery opens a new artistic era in Tunis

Tunisia has a long and distinguished history of art and the appreciation of art. Young artists are exploring new visions and building bridges to the rest of the world through a growing proliferation of art spaces. Omar Ben Yedder visits the Selma Feriani Gallery in Tunis, one of the latest to open.

By

Selma Feriani’s eponymous art gallery, which opened on 25th January 2024, is one of the growing number that have sprung up in Tunisia in the wake of the Arab Spring which also ended the dictatorial rein of Zine El Abedin Ben Ali in 2011.

Feriani says this reflects not only a change in the cultural climate, but also that there are fewer logistical barriers. “What really changed after the revolution [of 2011] was the use of public spaces, which was not possible before the revolution.

“That allowed for a lot of interesting projects sourced from outside galleries and outside institutions. There is also an emergence of art project spaces like La Boite Contemporary Art Centrale,” she explains.

Increased access to the city’s spaces for the artistic community has allowed greater forms of self-expression, she says. “For me, one of the most important festivals in Tunisia is Dream City, “she says.

The 9th edition of the Dream City festival took place in Tunis’s old town, the Medina from 22 September to 8 October 2023. The programme for this unique festival of Art in the City includes numerous works by artists from over 18 countries – Tunisia, Morocco, Democratic Republic of Congo, France, Portugal, Lebanon, Egypt, Belgium, Syria, United Kingdom, Palestine, United States, Kuwait, Nigeria, Haiti, Turkey, Mali, and Argentina), with creations, concerts, debates and immersive projects.

“The festival has expanded a lot after the revolution because they’ve been able to use the Medina and downtown Tunis in a very efficient way. They had access to a lot of sites that were not necessarily accessible to the public.”

Art has always been central to Tunisia, which in the 16th century was one of the centres of Arab culture and learning. Its artistic heritage bears influences from the Levant, Italy, Spain, Persia and the Near East, resulting in a distinctive Arabesque style.

Tunisian artists have long been recognised for their expertise in creating captivating mosaics and pottery which not only provide mesmerising decorative designs, but also narratives around the culture and history of the people.

With her new gallery, Feriani, who curates another gallery in London, wants to build cultural bridges from the Middle East to Europe and Latin America. The United States, she says, is a place that she will turn her attention to later.

The opening, attended by a who’s who in Tunis as well as renowned international collectors and specialised media, saw an exhibition by Nidhal Chamekh, one of five Tunisian artists Feriani represents in addition another 12 international ones.

She opened her first gallery in 2010 in London where she lives and another at Sidi Bou Said, a picturesque village, that is home to a bustling community of artists, in 2013. Housed in a former convent, it had nowhere near enough space to house the curator’s big dreams. Sidi Bou Said with its cobbled stones and narrow streets was also difficult to access and the space limiting for artists to fully work with.

The new gallery, located in La Goulette, an industrial port area in the northern suburbs of the capital, Tunis however, is a full 2,000m2, enough to accommodate the broad ambitions of its owner – such as having 17 artists in residence – as well as hosting others from other parts of the world to come and create site-specific pieces.

A big space for big ideas

She says it is the result of three years of “painstaking work” by herself and her team. “My idea was to work on site-specific projects, so every artist would come and put together a project that is specific to the space, because it was very difficult to develop a project in their studios, and then come and work on the scenography. They had to come, spend time in the space in Tunisia, and then develop the project.”

Naturally, the very idea of such a space can be challenging but Feriani says she is happy with the results. “A new space comes with a challenge because you need to get used to the space and understand how you’re going to take things forward, especially when you are displaying visually strong works and also very research-driven and with a lot of conceptual elements but I really took my time to make sure every single detail is looked at. I wanted to make sure it’s perfect so that when you come in, you have the same experience as you would in any major gallery around the world.” The initial reviews would seem to bear out her tenacity. “Art,” as she herself puts it, “has always been an act of resistance.”

With this new space. “We have an atelier (a residency) where the artist can spend time from August until January to produce sculptures and other installations. In September we will show, for the first time in Tunis, ‘French Pavilion’ [a grouping of installations and a film by Algerian artist Zineb Sedira) so that those who couldn’t go to the Venice Biennale can watch it here in Tunis. We have a Peruvian artist coming in November with a show developed in Tunisia with marble artisans.”

On the global art map

She wants the space to be a hub for international collaborations and artistic conversations. “So we will create this bridge and foster these conversations which, for me, are very important.” She has a schedule of events already planned for the next two years.

Feriani’s desire for international cooperation is mirrored by international interest in the artists that she is curating, some of whom have been associated with her gallery for over a decade and have really matured in their output over the period.

She expects that some of the artists will have the opportunity to showcase their work at the next Venice Biennale, for example, while globally renowned galleries such as the Tate Modern in London and the Guggenheim in New York, US.

A lot of institutions globally are looking at us as a result of the work we have done to promote our artists. I think curators and institutions are definitely looking at what’s happening here. Undoubtedly, we are on the map for them now.”

Will local collectors be able to make her venture viable? Despite the growth of the local art scene and collectors in Tunisia, Feriani says she doesn’t anticipate commercial success in the near term, especially given the economic downturn the country is facing.

“Commercially, the domestic market alone will not make [the gallery] necessarily viable. I think that’s the case for most of the commercial galleries and tours because there are very few domestic collectors and they are very price sensitive as well. And I don’t think it’s going to get better anytime soon.” she reports.

However that has not deterred her. “It looks complicated right now but we have a vision and we have a strategy, so there is no way for us to go backwards. We will continue to develop things back home. It’s in the DNA of the gallery. It’s my vision, my strategy, and it’s important for me to do it in Tunisia and to have a voice from Tunisia to the world,” she says.

It surely also helps that as an international gallery, the works are displayed elsewhere (in Western cities), enabling them to reach a wider audience and potential buyers.

World class

Feriani says she intends the gallery standards and quality to evolve to world class – her inspiration is London’s famous White Cube.

 “A new space comes with a challenge because you need to get used to the space and understand how you’re going to take things forward, especially when you are displaying visually strong works,” she says.

“But I really took my time to make sure of every single detail. I wanted to make sure it’s perfect so that when you come in, you have the same experience as you would in any major gallery around the world.” The initial reviews bear out her tenacity. “Art,” as she herself puts it, “has always been an act of resistance.”

The gallery also has extra facilities such as a bookstore and a library where people can either buy or borrow books. Again, unlike in purely commercial galleries, viewers will get a peek behind the curtains of the creative process, as they were able to with the exhibition that the gallery opened with.

“For the show we put together for Nidhal Chamekh, we had the main space showing the project but on the mezzanine and in the basement, we were able to show the process, how the exhibition was made and all the bibliography, meaning all the information and books used by the artist and the imagery and research behind the project.”

This is some distance from the typical commercial gallery where visitors are only able to see the product and make a purchase when they are moved to. “It was important for me to show a little bit of what happens behind the exhibition because it gives artists and also students a way to access the research and to better understand the thinking behind the creative work,” she emphasises.

Summarising the concept behind her efforts, she says: “What we are trying to do, is not only to promote art, but everything related to the city of Tunis.

“So people can come, travel for three days or a long weekend and not only go to the beach but also discover all the art centres and studios; take part in culinary tours and of course, visit the most famous museums – Carthage, and its Roman ruins, and the newly renovated Bardo, one of the largest museums on the continent. So we provided a tailored programme for our international guests.”

Feriani says she has received positive feedback from critics, curators, collectors, journalists and art lovers who saw the first exhibition and the city of Tunis as part of the package. For her, that’s exactly the objective she has set out for herself.

Want to continue reading? Subscribe today.

You've read all your free articles for this month! Subscribe now to enjoy full access to our content.

Digital Monthly

£8.00 / month

Receive full unlimited access to our articles, opinions, podcasts and more.

Digital Yearly

£70.00 / year

Our best value offer - save £26 and gain access to all of our digital content for an entire year!

Omar Ben Yedder

Omar is Editor-in-Chief of African Business.

Today, much knowledge is at risk of disappearing as only a handful of craftspeople continue the practice, often in difficult or refugee conditions.

Title:

Content: Podcasts: Feature

I Am Not Your Refugee: Ana Surie

A conversation about the ‘Ana Surie’ (‘I Am Syrian’) photography exhibition organised in the Zaatari refugee camp

29 September 2022, 9.17am
  • This podcast series was supported by the Pulitzer Center

Mohamad Khalf has been teaching photography in Zaatari refugee camp, Jordan, for many years – instilling a love of learning and creative expression in his students Ali and Mohammed Nour Al-Babisi.

They talk to Bairbre Flood about the photography exhibition Mohmamad Khalf organised in the camp, called ‘Ana Surie’ (‘I Am Syrian’) and why they are Syrian first – not refugees.

Nour Al-Hariri shares her rap music and explains why she writes about early marriage, child labour, and other issues - and why the many talented and creative women in the camp should be supported more.

Watch some of the short films created by Al-Balbisi.

Presented by Mahmoud Hassino and produced by Bairbre Flood.

Theme music by Omar Alkilani. Artwork by Haya Halaw.

With thanks to the Pulitzer Center for funding support.

Transcript

Mahmoud Hassino: Hi, I'm Mahmoud Hassino and you're listening to I Am Not Your Refugee, a podcast created by myself and Bairbre Flood in collaboration with some of the refugee community organizers, activists and artists working to challenge stereotypes around migration. With thanks to the Pulitzer Center for funding support

Hi, and welcome to this week's episode, which comes to you from Zaatari camp in Jordan. Zaatari is home to just over 80,000 people who were forced to leave Syria during the war. More than half of the camps residents are children. Muhammad Khalf has been teaching photography in Zaatari for many years. We'll hear more from him throughout the program. But first, we talked to one of his students, Ali. During his chat with Bairbre, he talks about a photography exhibition, Mohammed Khalf organized in the camp called 'Ana Surie', 'I Am Syrian'.

Ali: I'm a Ali. I'm 23 years old. I'm Syrian but I live in Zaatari Camp in Jordan. I have been living in this camp in Jordan since I was 13. I finished my high school. And now I'm working as a photographer with some organization here in Zaatari camp. I like photography. It was it was a hobby when I was a child, and I improved it to make it something to stay alive. It was my hobby. And now it's my job. Mohammad Khalf gave me the basics. And after that he said that if I learn the whole thing you will do what I do. If I give you the basics, you will show me your creative. This is it.

Bairbre Flood: What did you like most about the way Mohammed taught or about the ethos of the course or how he did it?

Ali: Mohammad's style was so amazing for us because he was a teacher, instructor - a brother also - and the first supporter for us. He was helping us and everything that we can do it. And when we are making a mistake, he said okay, it's easy - it's not a big problem - to go ahead, to learn more and more.

Bairbre Flood: So in the project with Muhammad, I know you had an exhibition 'Ana Surie'? So why is it important for him to help people be proud of that?

Ali: I think the main thing in this project 'Ana Surie' it was just to let the people and all the word know what the meaning of the Syrian. We are not a refugee, we are human, this is it.

And we just show our culture and our traditional clothes, what we would like, what we are living. Like trees, or flowers. When I was in Syria you can see that in each house in Syria, there is a tree or flowers. And here is not. And we make it - you can see most of the houses here in Zaatari camp, you can see the trees rows. And this was something important for us to bring with us and to feel just we are there's something from our home.

I improved my skills and just now I'm on a level that they can see the photos and know if there any mistake in it or not. Get tips to make the photos more beautiful. It's good for me actually. And from the photography. I made a lot of relationship with friends. That was so good for me, actually, for Syrian people. Not just Syrian but outside the camp in Jordan, or you can see the Arabian country...from America from Britain.

Here in Zaatari camp the opportunity for the youth is so low actually. I'm now I'm 22 years old and I just finished my high school and I don't go to the university so I'm looking for a scholarship right now. So there's a lot of people here in Zaatari like this, like me. There was no opportunity just to learn. Maybe all of them and I'm one of them are looking forward to go outside the camp, to Arabian country maybe, to Europe, America, or any country just to complete our learning. We do not like to stay in the same thing. Okay, we are in the high school and what else? Just we are working to complete our life. So all of us want to go outside just get more opportunity.

Mahmoud Hassino: Another of Mohammad Khalf's students Muhammad Nour Al-Balbisi chats with Bairbre and Mohammad Khalf interprets:

Muhammad Nour Al-Balbisi: {speaks in Arabic}

Mohammad Khalf: The picture no back again...

Bairbre Flood: Oh like it's once off yeah, like it happens once that's it. So he has to capture it.

Mohammad Khalf: No internet. The picture no back again.

Bairbre Flood: It happens once and that's it.

Mohammad Khalf: Yeah, the picture is remember.

Bairbre Flood: The picture will never come...the picture will never come back.

Muhammad Nour Al-Balbisi: {speaks in Arabic}

Mohammad Khalf: The camp has many creative people here. Refugees need a chance because the creative inside. Skills, creative need chance.

Muhammad Nour Al-Balbisi: {speaks in Arabic}

Mohammad Khalf: {speaks in Arabic}

Bairbre Flood: What's it called? (The film)

Muhammad Nour Al-Balbisi: Full day in Zaatari.

Mohammad Khalf: Full day of Zaatari. From morning to night.

Muhammad Nour Al-Balbisi: {speaks in Arabic}

Mohammad Khalf: Start with the sun.

Bairbre Flood: Sunrise.

Muhammad Nour Al-Balbisi: {speaks in Arabic}

Mohammad Khalf: Many shops...

Muhammad Nour Al-Balbisi: {speaks in Arabic}

Mohammad Khalf: General shots.

Bairbre Flood: Like of people going about their business. {speaks in Arabic}

Mohammad Khalf: Life of a refugee.

Bairbre Flood: Why that's so important for you to make that and not somebody coming in from Ireland or England or America and coming into the camp and making it? Why is it so important for somebody in the camp?

Muhammad Nour Al-Balbisi: {speaks in Arabic}

Mohammad Khalf: He is taking picture because no people knows how is refugee live in Zaatari camp.

Muhammad Nour Al-Balbisi: {speaks in Arabic}

Mohammad Khalf: He has nationality. Not refugee.

Bairbre Flood: Okay. You're Syrian?

Mohammad Khalf: Yeah, he is. He is Syrian. Not refugee. The refugee here. We hates speak 'refugee, refugee, refugee'. Ana Surie {speaks in Arabic}.

Bairbre Flood: Okay, it's important. For community and for pride, okay. Is there anything you want to tell people?

Muhammad Nour Al-Balbisi: {speaks in Arabic}

Bairbre Flood: {speaks in Arabic} Nothing? Ok! Watch the video.

Muhammad Nour Al-Balbisi: {speaks in Arabic}

Mohammad Khalf: {speaks in Arabic}

Finish film 'Full day of Zaatari' and {speaks in Arabic} new project - Ramadan month...

Bairbre Flood: You're gonna film all through the month?

Mohammad Khalf: Ramadan after this month.

Bairbre Flood: In April?

Mohammad Khalf: Yeah. He has one project about Ramadan.

Bairbre Flood: Okay it's good {speaks in Arabic}

Mohammad Khalf: She waiting to see film.

Bairbre Flood: {speaks in Arabic} thank you so much.

Mohammad Khalf: {speaks in Arabic}

Nour Al Hariri: {speaks in Arabic - raps a piece she's written}

Ataa Hamidi: Her name is Nour Huda Akram Al Hariri.

Nour Al Hariri: {speaks in Arabic}

Ataa Hamidi: She wrote a song about rap. This song name is {speaks in Arabic} which mean in English 'when I want to be different person I should make the difference'. I should change something. When she completed this song she was she was lvery happy with this song and she can do something and she can do many changes. She decided to go through this aspect and write songs.

Nour Al Hariri: {speaks in Arabic}

Ataa Hamidi: One of her most important people - she wanted to be like him - his name is Ismail Tamar. He is a singer and he also sing the rap. She wanted to imitate him and to be like him.

Nour Al Hariri: {speaks in Arabic}

Ataa Hamidi: At this moment, I discovered that there's no need to stop and to be to waiting for anything. Because life is going on. And there is no need to waste the time so that I decided to have another person help me. I write and the other person sing and this person I choose my sister Bruj.

Nour Al Hariri: {speaks in Arabic}

Ataa Hamidi: We started together my sister and me. And when we show the people they liked the idea and they told us: why don't you improve this aspect? And you evaluate this song and do more of this song and we did it.

Bairbre Flood: What do you write about?

Nour Al Hariri: {speaks in Arabic}

Ataa Hamidi: MashAllah, she's so fast! We we wrote the songs for many topics. And one of the most important and familiar topics was the early marriage. And also one of the most important topic that they wrote songs about is violence, especially with the mother or the woman. And then they wrote many topics about the kids work, the kids they work in the camp. They still young, no more than 10 years or 11 years and they worked in the camp.. They wanted to focus on this idea and wrote many songs on this topic. They also wanted to focus on the topic of the woman right, they thought that a woman in the camp may need more support. This is why they focus on this idea.

Nour Al Hariri: {speaks in Arabic}

Ataa Hamidi: Being a feminist means many things to her because as a Syrian refugee feminist in the camp mean like maybe many people will see her as a very bad way or constantly treat her as a very bad way. She wanted to change this idea and she wanted to change the thought of our many people for the woman in the camp. Her sister and her wanted to change the traditional in the camp and also outside the camp because you know, when you being as a singer of rap this mean you are a very different person - especially you are a feminist. So she wanted to change this idea.

Nour Al Hariri: {speaks in Arabic}

Ataa Hamidi: There's many ideas she wanted people to focus in, and she wanted the other country out of Jordan even, to focus on the most. But the most important idea she wanted people to focus in that why don't support us as refugees more? Don't support us more as refugees in general? And she also wants people to focus on support the woman especially. Here in the camp, there are many creative and talented girls.

Nour Al Hariri: {speaks in Arabic}

Ataa Hamidi: She said that being a refugee is not just a person he left his home and his homeland, and sit and live in another place. No, she mean, we are human, persons. And we have many successful ideas, and we are most of us as a highly educated persons. And most of us have very positive and talented work, but they just need a support from people and they need people to see them not just as refugee, but as a human.

Nour Al Hariri and Burj: {speaks in Arabic - recites a rap they wrote}

Nour Al Hariri and her sister Burj, with thanks to Ataa Hamidi for interpreting the interview with Nour for us.

Mahmoud Hassino: Finally, we hear from Mohammad Khalf and after the interview, he shows Bairbre and Ataa some of his students photographs over the years.

Mohammad Khalf: {speaks in Arabic}

Voice Actor: My name is Mohammed Khalf, from Syria. from Dara and born in Damascus.

Mohammad Khalf: {speaks in Arabic}

Voice Actor: I started my volunteer work with children to help them take photographs,

Mohammad Khalf: {speaks in Arabic}

Voice Actor: I liked it when the children express their feelings through the photographs

Mohammad Khalf: {speaks in Arabic}

Voice Actor: From the beginning, I refused the idea that I was just a refugee. And I taught the children to be proud of being Syrian too.

Mohammad Khalf: {speaks in Arabic}

Voice Actor: I'm proud to be helping to change the negative ideas around refugees and proud that I'm one of the people who helped create change in the camp.

Mohammad Khalf: {speaks in Arabic}

Voice Actor: Some of the students I worked with have gone on to get work with some of the organizations and the camp

Mohammad Khalf: {speaks in Arabic}

Voice Actor: And these days I teach children in my house in a small school I've built at the side of my house.

Mohammad Khalf: {speaks in Arabic}

Voice Actor: My volunteer work helps me to keep positive and be more motivated and have more opportunities in the camp for study and work.

Mohammad Khalf: {speaks in Arabic}

Voice Actor: And this work helped me to be closer to the kids in the camp and to my own kids and helped me to decide to be a class teacher and start to study this in the university.

Mohammad Khalf: {speaks in Arabic}

Voice Actor: I know that the change starts from inside us and I decided to strengthen myself more and more and do more volunteer work with the kids.

Mohammad Khalf: {speaks in Arabic}

Voice Actor: And I focused more on the teaching process and help the kids because I want them all to be successful and to be changemakers

Mohammad Khalf: {speaks in Arabic}

Voice Actor: I want to say something to those who think that there is no creativity in the camp. There are many creative people here in the camp who are successful and talented. I just want to say as well that I'm constantly inspired by my wife, Salam.

Mohammad Khalf: {speaks in Arabic}

Voice Actor: I know there's a lot of stereotypes around refugees that's why I tell the children to say I am not a refugee - Ana Surie - I am Syrian. And be proud of that.

Mohammad Khalf: {speaks in Arabic}

Bairbre Flood: A car made out of disability wheelchair, and a caravan here.

Ataa Hamidi: Yes.

Bairbre Flood: That's so cool.

Ataa Hamidi: Different way like.

Bairbre Flood: It's good. Yeah. It's a good picture too.

Mohammad Khalf: {speaks in Arabic}

Bairbre Flood: These are beautiful.

Mohammad Khalf: Camera digital not professional.

Bairbre Flood: A digital camera. That's a very cool.

Ataa Hamidi: He looks not like a refugee -

Bairbre Flood: He looks like an actor!

Ataa Hamidi: He looks like he looks like a Syrian actor, Jamal Suliman.

Bairbre Flood: And these these photos are from all his students as well?

Ataa Hamidi: Yes this photo's from his students.

Bairbre Flood: They're beautiful.

Ataa Hamidi: {speaks in Arabic}

Mahmoud Hassino: Huge thanks to Ali, Muhammad Nour Al Balbisi, Nour Al Hariri and her sister Burj, Ataa Hamidi and Muhammad, Khalf. His wife, Salem, voice actor, Aboudi Dabbagh, and everyone in Mafraq and Zaatari, who helped with this episode. Links to the photographers and the short films they've produced are in the show notes, as are links to more of the work of Nour Al Hariri.

Thank you for listening from myself, Mahmoud Hassino, and producer Bairbre Flood. Music by Omar Al Kilani. Join us next time for our art episode. With artherestanbul, Syrian illustrator and artist Haya Halaw, and Irish-Pakistani artist Hina Khan. See you then! With thanks to the Pulitzer Center for funding support.

Had enough of ‘alternative facts’? openDemocracy is different Join the conversation: get our weekly email

UNESCO has listed Syrian glassblowing on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding because this living tradition is threatened with extinction.

Preserving Syrian glassblowing is seen as crucial for maintaining cultural diversity, identity, and heritage, as well as supporting the artists' ability to pass their knowledge to new generations.

Safeguarding measures include awareness campaigns, documentation, training, and support for the remaining artisans to ensure this unique tradition survives.